Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
While backing out of my drive way to the right I heard loud clunking and then finally a pop as I turned the steering to the left. Immediately following, while driving in residential area left turns became extremely difficult to make, and I noticed the steering wheel seemed to be off center. I decided to make a 3-point turn to return home, and while backing to the left there seemed to be little actual movement before I felt as if the front end of the car raised a bit followed by another lout pop. Returning the wheels right saw little movement at first before turning as normal. Left turns the rest of the way home difficult, while right turns are made with ease. Upon inspection when getting to my garage rack and pinion mount on passenger side that appears to be welded had broken. Perhaps rusted? …
My granddaughter was 18 years old and had recently graduated high school. She was driving to work on a Tuesday morning, the weather was clear and the road was dry. As she rounded a small curve, her steering went out. The car's right front wheel went off the road, sending the car out of control. When my granddaughter tried to steer back onto the road, the car slid on the pavement, spun around, was thrown over a ditch, hit a tree and landed back on the road. The airbag did not deploy, and my granddaughter's small body (98 pounds) was thrown across the seat and into the floorboard on the passenger side. When police and ambulances arrived, there was nothing they could do. My granddaughter died at the scene from head trauma and internal injuries. Her identical twin sister lost half of her identity that day; the two of them were as one. …
I purchased new tires today and the technicians noticed there was excessive play in the steering link via the rack and pinion. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the welds (which are both factory and most likely robotic) holding the nut through the rack and pinion have failed. These welds are not a consumable or an otherwise replaceable part of the car and unacceptable for them to fail. Currently if the nut that was originally welded in place comes off I will completely lose steering on the drivers side. At even slow speeds this could be fatal to the driver and occupants. The car has been owned by one family for the life of the vehicle and immaculately maintained. For Chevrolet to design and manufacture such a critical piece in this fashion is appalling. I am trying to get in touch with Chevrolet recalls department and safety but no one will return my calls. …
While driving my 1998 Chevrolet Malibu at slow speed (luckily), the steering make a crunching noise and completely failed. This cause the complete loss of control of the vehicle. The steering wheel would simply spin, with no effect on the actual steering gearbox. There was no longer any mechanical connection between the steering column and the rack and pinion gear. The vehicle was towed to my mother's home about a mile away and there was an initial inspection by my stepfather (a 25 year veteran of the automobile business). He stated that he had never seen a failure like this and suggested that a contact Chevrolet to see if there were any recalls on this, which I did. He also checked and there was one in the steering column bearing and it was completed in 2004 on this vehicle. I contacted GM by e-mail and they called and told me that they were not going to participate in any repairs. …
This vehicle had a crash with fatalities in 2006. General motors never issued a unintended ignition turnoff on this vehicle until aug2014. The crash began with an uncontrollable and unexpected spinout, there was no ability to steer, brake and air bags did not deploy. These are the exact conditions listed in the GM recall. GM will not accept a filing for this make and model vehicle and should be added to the GM ignition failure claim program. NHTSA didn't all the GM recall to Malibu's but I have notified them of the oversight. This should be corrected and compensation provided by GM. …
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 …
I received my chev recall letter ref recall 14350 today. This is not a complaint, just info that May be important in reference to this safety recall. Problems I have had with my 1998 chev Malibu is : engine shuts off while traveling at highway speeds-sometimes engine won't start ( ignition key will not go all way to start position)-sometimes engine want shutoff (ignition key want turn back to off position). As a retired truck mechanic I know that the problem is in the ignition switch lock cylinder (tumblers are worn excessively causing the lock cylinder to jam and/or be come loose allowing ignition key to rotate off) . I have attempted to make repair myself but all parts outlets tell me that the lock cylinder is not available (must purchase $350.00 ignition switch assembly) if this recall does not include replacing the lock cylinder,the problem will not be corrected. …
I had to have the rack & pinion system replaced on my 1998 Malibu along with the power steering pump pulley due to being worn thru and unsafe to drive by the service techinicians recommendation. This was done at 68719 miles. I also had the intake valves replaced 2 months ago for the second time due to leakage of lots of oil into the engine, also per the service technicians recommendation. This was only 14 months after it was done the last time. I have my service done at a Chevrolet dealership and I think that 68719 miles is low mileage to have to replace the rack & pinion system. I also think that I was given faulty intake valves on the original engine and also on the first replacement. I am also taking my car back for the 3rd visit to try and fix the chirping sound that is coming from the engine. …
I was parking the car in my drive way and all of sudden a loud noise comes from underneath and the car steers by itself in the wrong direction where the other car was already parked. I managed to steer due to the slow speed the car was moving but I realized how bad this could have been while driving the car in traffic and at high speed rates. When I checked what happened, I noticed that the front end cradle that the steering rack mounts to, has rusted out and the whole rack and pinion became lose in one of the mounting points. I am very disappointed with the quality and workmanship they put in one of the most important parts of the car, where steering, suspension, in fact the whole power train seats on and it failed so easy. The manufacture was trying to save some dollars at the cost of peoples lives.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The dealer stated that the steering: rack and pinion was leaking and the contact paid $195, plus $470 for labor. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The contact called GM in April of 2002 and was informed that he would be reimbursed. When he informed GM that he took the vehicle to a private shop, GM changed their mind and never provided reimbursement. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 42,114. Updated 04/16/08 the dealer repaired the cam position sensor as well. Updated 04/16/08
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths to steering 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.