Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
(1) I was driving home on I-75 an hour north of atlanta after labor day weekend. While doing 70-75 MPH in heavy rains and winds from the leading edge of hurricane frances, my windshield wipers suddenly failed leaving windshield awash in rain and visibility less than 6 feet. The passenger side winsheild wiper arm snapped first in the vertial position, then the driver side windshield wiper arm ran over top of it breaking it too. Trecherous driving conditions were endured in attempting to get off interstate. I was left to drive with nearly no visibility through hurricane frances for 3 more hours until I made it far enough to get out of the storm. 3) when back home in louisville, I took the car to service center to get estimate and fixed since it was predicted to rain soon. The failure was diagnosed to the windshield wiper linkages breaking. …
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 …
Windshield wiper linkage system cracked while in use during a heavy rain causing both wipers to fail. I was on interstate 65 traveling at 55mph. Visibilty after the incident diminished to approx 20-30 feet. I was able to keep the car under control and pull to the roadside. *akhowever I don't think an inexperienced driver would have been so lucky under those conditions,, weather, speed, traffic... I searched for any recall notices from Chevy on this and found one, 01V068000. Why wasn't my state listed in the group to notify? There is a real danger in the plastic design of the wiper mount. Please take another look at the defect in the design and have Chevy notify all of us Malibu owners of the potential for danger...thank you phlecia partain
The wife started the car and it had some light frost on the windshield she let the car warm up for about 10 minutes when she came back out the frost had turned to water so she turned on the wipers and they just went nuts the right wiper went over top of the left one so she had to get out and physically push them down she then continued with her day when I came home from work she told me about it so I went out to see and found that the windshield wiper transmission arms were broken at one end on the right hand side so I then took them out to replace them and when I looked them up on the internet and found there was a recall on record, so I am going to contact the [phone] and see just what I can have done.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the windshield wipers on the vehicle stopped working during a rain storm. The contact observed that the linkage on the motor for both windshield wipers were broken. The contact was unable to purchase the part from the dealer and is concerned that it will only be available at a salvage facility. NHTSA recall campaign 01V068000, visibility, windshield wiper/washer, linkages was directly related to in the "salt belt" states due to a buildup of snow, ice, and corrosion. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The passenger-side pivot housing has cracked, and the windshield wipers will not operate. He contacted the dealer and manufacturer in reference to recall # 01V068000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). Upon contact he was advised that his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, so he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 96000. Updated 1/14/10 the consumer stated the problem was resolved. Updated 01/15/10.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving in a rainstorm, the contact activated the windshield wipers and they began to cross over each other. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the passenger side wiper blade was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V068000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). The vehicle has not been serviced by the dealer. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
While driving during ice storms in January 2007 the windshield wipers quit working due to a broken pivot housing on the passenger's side. The same defect was covered in NHTSA recall campaign 01V068000. However, because I lived outside the salt belt,Chevrolet will not cover the repair of this manufacturer's defect. I am fearful, but forced to, drive in rain storms without working windshield wipers. The manufacturer has been completely arrogant about helping in this situation for the last 5 months.
Driving to work in heavy rain on a busy street and the windshield wiper on the right collided with the left and they just stopped working causing me to almost crash into the car infront of me. Had to pull over because there was no visibility and had to wait an hour until the rain stopped. The pivot housing as the dealer called it is cracked and the wipers will not operate because of the design.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side windshield wiper pivot housing. Owner notification began August 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
In March 2001, GM notified NHTSA that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA number 01V068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 Chevrolet malibu and Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.GM reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated under conditions of moderate to heavy snowfall.GM conducted the recall in 28 states and the…
Windshield wiper
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper
On February 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 Chevrolet malibu & Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on July 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation, it was found that the failures were the result of fracture of the passenger-side windshield wiper…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-068 (linkages, Mar 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.