Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
Front seat belts come unbuckled while driving. My wife commuted to work in this car for about 12 months (37 miles one way) and mentioned that sometimes the seatbelt would come unbuckled. I suspected that she was not getting it latched in properly and did not think much of it as when I looked at the seatbelt it functioned properly. However our daughter started driving this car to and from school and also mentioned issues with the seatbelt occasionally coming unbuckled, unfortunately she was involved in a collision. When we learned that she did not have her seatbelt on it surprised us. When my aunt and uncle who owned the car visited in the hospital, my aunt mentioned that she also has had the seatbelt randomly come unbuckled multiple times in that car. I purchased seatbelts from cars of the same age and platform (1997-2004 GM N body) and have inspected them. …
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front impact crash, and the airbags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact was wearing a seat belt, and the buckle assembly fractured upon initial impact. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle sustained moderate damage to the front end. The police were on the scene, and a report was taken. The manufacturer was alerted.
I purchased the vehicle from bobb Chevy in 11/99, in April 2000 noticed a grinding noise when braking. Took car into a tuffy auto shop who indicated I needed complete brake job. They suggested warranty should cover vehicle repairs. So I took it to bobb at 7:30 am on 4/27/00, they completed brake job - rotors, calipers, fluid, pads and labor. This totalled $817.01, I paid $496.12, warranty paid the balance. On 5/17/00, coming home from work on a service road I tried to apply my brakes and found I did not have any - this was 3 wks after a total replacement. I had the option to go into an intersection, or hit a car stopped at the stop sign, but I chose to run off the road, hoping that would have stopped me. I hit a pine tree, both air bags popped out, windshield cracked, subsequently my insurance company - geico totalled the car. …
Tl* - the contact owns an evenflo discovery child safety seat. The contact saw a report on cbs today re: safety recall on the evenflo discovery. Also, the contact researched on the internet and found that there was a recall for the evenflo child safety seat. The manufacturer date for the evenflo child safety seat wasjuly 8, 2003. The contact stated the that recommendation for the child safety seat was the middle seat belt. The contact was concerned since the middle seat belt loosened and didn't secure the child in the safety seat. This incident occurreds in both of the contact's vehicle. The contact owns 1997 Chevrolet silverado 1500 extended cab, and a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu.
Consumer complained about an ignition problem. Consumer had to hold the key in ignition switch, turn and hold for a period of time before the engine turned over. Secondly, seat belt on the front driver side did not retract. Had to put the seat belt on manually. Also, brakes squeak when applied.
Front fender where front sensor was located was cracked. Consumer sustained chest and knee injuries from steering and dashboard because air bags didn't go off. Also, seat belt did not lock up. Consumer has not consulted manufacturer or dealer.
Consumer was involved in a frontal collision in which the driver's or passenger air bags did not deploy. Also, the driver's seat belt malfunctioned, and all doors jammed. Please give any further details.
Squeaking noise came from steering, dealer replaced steering rack assembly and power steering hoses. Right front shoulder belt would not adjust up or down, seatbelt stop button was missing, left side driver's shoulder belt retracts slowly, right front shoulder belt retracts slowly and jams at times. Rear bumper cover at left side at tail light opening has poor fit. Excessive wind noise at the left front door glass opening while traveling highway speeds. Steering shimmies while braking, dealer found warped rotors. Idle quality in gear at stop is poor, transmission mounts were weak, engine runs rough at times. Front head light fogged up, delaer found inside lens cracked. Rattle noise heard under vehicle while traveling on rough roads.
When traveling and applying brakes, they make a grinding noise when making a turn. Dealership is aware of problem. Transmission mounts were replaced. Safety belt fixed 2 times. Power steering hoses and lines replaced, parts were missing from steering gear assembly.
Passenger's seat belt is jammed within retracting mechanism and will not release, causing seat belt to become inoperable. The seat belt became inoperable at low milage and the consumer wants reimbursment of cost of repair.
Seat Belt complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is front › anchorage (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seat belts 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.