Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 my husband was driving my 1998 Chevrolet Malibu which has approximately 87,000 miles on it, he heard an unusual noise that indicated something was wrong with the engine. The car immediately lost power while moving at a speed of approximately 40 MPH. There was a lot of rattling and vibrations. Upon having the car towed to a garage for a diagnostic test, he was informed that the car had to have a new engine. The engine repair company states that the harmonic balancer failed which in turned messed up the internal workings of the engine. This will cost us approximately $3600 dollars to replace the engine.
1) normal driving conditions, mostly highway. 2) failure of the hub assembly. Very noisy, reduced noise around corners. 3) this hub has been replaced three times and it needs to be replaced again. I have searched for any recalls on this and could not find any. It has been 25000 miles since it was replaced last and this is totally unacceptable and expensive. Was told that continued driving could cause more damage including ABS system. Incident date below corresponds to the lastest time hub failed. Have not had it replaced yet, so part is still available.
Car would be running stepped on gas and wouldn't move, had it back when it was new, but wouldn't happen when bonner Chevrolet in kingston, pa mechanics would test drive it. Vehicle continued until I couldn't get it out of park, then I had to have the transmission replaced 2003. Itwas a 1998 ls Chevy Malibu fully loaded, bought new. My son had the same car and it had done the same.
Water is leaking into engine from the head gasket. Water pump started seeping after head gasket was replaced. The front brakes was replaced several times with finally the ones mentioned on the bulletin. First the left side wheel bearing/ speed sensor assembly changed then a couple of thousand of miles later the right side. Air condition was going on and off intermittently.
When I am driving the car, all the lights on the dash(panel) light up and the speedometer starts going crazy. One minute it shows that I am traveling 10 miles an hours then in a split second it shows that I am going 110 miles an hour. All the other gauges start going back and forth as well. I have no idea how fast I am going or if my car is about to just quit completely. When I first brought my car, about a year later or so (and I am just estimating) the dash board started acting crazy but I just blue it off. Then I was traveling to dallas to look for a place to live and the lights all come on and the speed went crazy then the car started to die. I made it to the dealership before it died. They stated it was the altnerator, that was replaced. It worked fine for a while then it happened again. I took it to the dealership in san angelo and they said there was an electrical short. …
My car is a 1998 Malibu ls. It has 49,500 original miles on it. In 2006 I had problems with the transmission, it didn't want to switch gears right away. I took it to our GM dealer as I had a warranty. They put it on a computer, couldn't find anything, they stated it was doing the things I said, but thought it was just a glich and would go away. 5-17-07, something finally happened to the transmission,the car didn't want to go anywhere. I coasted my car to the GM dealer and told them what happened. They called and stated they opened the transmission and found it was a stuck body valve. I told them to fix it as it was still under warranty. They already had the transmission opened up, they called me back and said the warranty company said my warranty had expired 1-14-07. Can't be, I had till August. I called the warranty company. …
Vehicle experienced several transmission related problems, consumer stated while pushing accelerator from a complete stop, engine would rev up but vehicle would not move, after a couple of seconds, the transmission would engage, this would also happen while driving, transmission experienced slipping, dealer rebuilt transmission, also, left front axle boot was torn, dealer replaced the left inner tripod joint boot. Gas cap tether broke, dealer replaced gas cap. Vehicle would vibrate while braking, dealer replaced warped rotors and front brakes, the right front caliper was later replaced due to a torn piston boot. Oil was leaking from the front crankshaft seal, dealer replaced seal. Steering column tilt housing bowl assembly machined improperly from factory causing tilt wobble, also caused a popping noise. …
I purchased new 98 Malibu and traded back in w/in one month for another because of severe mechanical problems. This automobile was in for service on 11/23/01 for transmission leak and all gaskets & seals replaced. I had in for service on 8/5/02 for $1146 worth of work on various parts. I reported that vehicle lost power on highway but fuel pump was replaced for that problem. I pointed out that I thought car had transmission problem at that time and was told that car did not have history of transmission problems even though auto had all transmission seals replaced in 2001 by dealership. All work was done by dealership that auto (#2) was purchased from. Regular maintenance done on car without fail. Just replaced front arms on vehicle less that 1 mos. Ago for $400 and was told by sales that this was an earlier problem also w/98 Malibu. Dt
I was on interstate 95 going home when the steering wheel suddenly locked up on me and I started losing horsepower until I completely stopped!. So there I was in the middle lane stopped!, with cars swerving around me at high speeds!... Not to mention the cars stopped behind me trying to get around!. I thought I would be badly rear ended for sure!!. Luckily, a tow truck happened to be passing...and stopped to help. Someone could of been killed!!!!!. And from all the testimonials I've heard...I think general motors should mail everyone who owns a Chevy Malibu a big fat check!.
When the transmission went bad it would not shift into first gear,mechanic said the transmission was almost out of its case. They also said they had 2 other malibus,same year, with the same problem. All 4 tires were replaced in January by len stoler. They were also supposed to fix the problem in the left front tire, but it has since reoccurred.they robbed me of about $900 and were very rude about the situation. Therefore I took the car to a transmission specialist to repair the transmission problem. I have not gotten the steering problem fixed yet.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.