Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On aug. 10,2005 my 1998 Chevy Malibu, while parked with ignition off caught fire. While exiting car before the fire, I smelled no smoke or "hot" smells, I stood there approx. 3 min. While talking to my daughter. 10 min. Later the lebanon, tennessee fire dept. Was there extinguishing a fire that was mostly contained to the drivers side front headlight area, they deemed the car "totaled" . I contacted GM the same day, and after several phone conversations , on sept.13, 2005, I received a letter from mr. Mike demare, customer relationship manager, that "general motors is unable to assume responsibility for damages and we suggest that you resolve this matter through your insurance carrier." so I am still without a car, and I am disabled, with a minor child living with me. I can not afford full coverage , and only had liability on the vehicle. Sept.
While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. The power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13K miles. The rims had to be forced off, the front rotors had become rusted at 20K miles, the ignition wire harness had come apart, the power steering hoses had come loose, lost fluid and power steering while in motion, the trunk leaked, the ABS light had come on twice a week, the front end squeaked and rattled, the antenna wire was loose, the right head lamp had permanent moisture with no crack, the A/C would shut on/off intermittently, the alternator failed at 60K miles and the waning light had come on for …
The complaint is for the electronic ignition and the taillights and brake lights. The brake lights and tail lights have already been fixed twice, I am told it is an electrical problem, they work when they want to. This is a problem at night when I have no tail lights or when the brake lights don't work. The other problem is the ignitions switch, the key won't move in the ignition, which makes it impossible to start. After reading on line, there are hundreds of other people with the same problem with Malibu's and other Chevy vehicles, but nothing is being done about this. I am unsure of the incident date because it has happened several times.
I am so not satisfied with this vehicle every time I turn around, something different is going wrong. I don't know where else to turn. I sure would love for GMC to buy this piece of junk car back. It is really bad when you have a new car and it won't run!! The first time it was in was for it not starting, that has happened about 15-20 times. They have no idea what is wrong with the car. They have replaced the windshield 3 times because it leaked air. Still does! The headlights have condensation inside of them, makes visibility bad at night. Help!
Rack and pinion steering gear failed at 65,000 miles, causing a loss of power steering and a near accident. This is the second time this has happened (last time was at 40,000). This vehicle has also had front brakes and rotors 6 times and has experienced all other Malibu problems such as air conditioner control failure, tail light melting, etc.
Tail lights on almost all chev. Malibu's are bad mostly on the right sides if you going down the road look for yourself almost always they have at least one burned out light. I own two my kids drive and almost every time they wash them or it storms I have too replace bulbs the tail light fills with water.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving and depressing the brakes for any length of time the brakes light fail. The lights over heat and smoke then explode causing them to fail. The vehicle has not been inspected nor has the manufacturer been alerted.
Repeatedly have to replace tail light bulbs because tail lights fill with water every storm or when washed until they finally burn out. Mechanic says he sees this problem over and over with Malibu's. Any recalls on this problem?
Shorlty after purchasing this vehicle while it was still under warranty we had the passenger side headlight assembly replaced because of condensation building up. Then a couple months later somone told me that my stop lights on the passenger side were out, I thought it was the bulbs but it wasn't , it was because of water building up inside. I contacted several orginizations to see if this was possibly recalled, it wasn't. Since they want $250 for the light assembly I've been waiting to see if they would recall them considering that just in the central mass area I have seen 2 - 3 dozen Malibu's with that stop light not working. I have been able to get it working by taking it apart drying it out and cleaning the electrodes with a wire brush but within a week of any rain it blows out again. …
Alternator went out while I was driving down a busy highway in rush hour traffic. Car completely died. Could not jump start. Had to have it towed to a mechanic who stated this was the fourth alternator he had replaced on this year of Chevy Malibu in the last month and for me to inquire as to a possible recall on these parts. Also have had to change the light bulbs in the brake lights and back up lights at least once every other month since purchase. Brakes were serviced with new pads and everything from the dealer 4 months ago and now the ABS light is comming on and going off and intervals. Air conditioner shuts itself off frequently. The little green light goes out and the system blows hot air. I have to turn the power down on it to get the little green light to come back on again and for the air to cool off again. …
NHTSA investigations
STOP LAMP
There is no summary currently available
Stop lamp assembly overheat
There is no summary currently available
Headlight complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.