Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Ongoing problems since February 2004. Seems to get worse as time passes. ABS and emergency brakes lights warning comes up at the same time either during driving or 10-15 second after starting car. When this happen, power windows locked up. Also, air conditioning power light went out and don't work. Sometime restart cars several time to clear but doesn't always work. Problems can last a few minutes to hours or until restart cars. Only worry is when driving on highway on very hot days with windows close and ac on and problem locked windows and shut A/C down. Had to do this once. Had to pull over and restart car to open windows. Not sure if this is related to A/C switch problem. A/C turn off/on at will. Was fixed once before but problem reoccured. Also have problem with brakes, ac smell, rotors warped... Same reoccuring problems as many other 1999 Malibu owners had. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. Since 2000 the back up lights failed. The dealer replaced the internal bright lights in 2000 and 2002. The air conditioner also comes on and off without warning. The failure occurs every time the contact attempts to back up or use the air conditioner. After performing an electrical test, the dealer replaced the air conditioner control assembly and the ac control head on two occasions. The contact is aware of the safety recall for the fuel pressure regulator. The current mileage was 105000 and the approximate failure mileage was 92000.
While turning the steering wheel became hard to turn. The service dealer found a leak in the rack and pinion. The dealer stated that there was no leak and had given the vehicle back to the consumer. (the rack and pinion was replaced) the ac was found inoperative due to the suction and discharge hose leaked, the engine raced but didn't move due to low transmission fluid, and the left rear tail lamp seal had fallen apart.
Intermittently during severe cold weather, all the windows fogged up so bad the consumer was unable to see, even when the defogger / defroster is on it does not clear all the glass and causes severe visibility while driving. The dealer was notified. The dealer inspected the heater, defogger and the defroster and nothing could be found wrong.
Rotor replacement x 3. Suspension - front replaced. Calipers x3. Tire wear and leaks - replaced annually. Radio - bad wiring. A/C in dash wiring replaced twice. Rear light assembly replaced twice. Leaking in rear light assembly and trunk. Coolant leak - 8/06 at 74000 miles. Mechanic believes it is the water pump. A/C sensor replaced.
This 1999 Chevrolet Malibu was purchased in July 2001 in had a water leaking problem took 3 tries before they found it needed thermostat gasket didn't even have one in it they sold it to me .this way with a promise it had been fixed. Within the first year I had the car they had to replace both front wheel bearings & strut bushings. Then the alternator went out & it cause my battery to go bad overcharged it they replaced alternator but refused to re-emburse me for the battery. Then ignition switch caused problem with anti-theft system would not start. Had that replaced in March 2002. Then anti-lock brake system went out had to have it replaced window switch very slow had to be cleaned another one not working at all now, not covered under warranty, at this time also had to have anti theft system fixed again light on all the time another bad ignition switch. …
The brakes have been resurfaced once. The pads have been replaced 3 times and the rotors replaced twice. I have had the car in for the final repair attempt on the brakes. They say there is nothing wrong with them. While the car was in the shop for this, the driver's power window went out. Three people in the service dept. Tried to get it to work. I had to leave the car another day. When I went to pick it up, I was told there was nothing wrong with the window and it is now working. The power locks lock and unlock themselves periodically. I hear air coming in the driver's door. The cd player face gets to hot to touch and I smell burning. I was told this was normal. The steering column wouldn't tilt down because of plastic debris on the assembly. The brake light circuit board melted. The air conditioner control head shorted out. The EVAP system vapor pressure sensor had to be replaced. …
Since I've had the car, the brakes have been replaced twice, rotors replaced (also cleaned and other things-to the point they asked me to see if there was a recall on brakes and rotors). The right front passenger window will not work from the driver side to roll down but can still roll it up from there. The air conditioner button(resistor) needed replacing and then the vent button(resistor) needed replacing. Also, had to replace tie rod end and wheel bearing . Not to mention a water pump. We bought the car used from sawyer Chevrolet with 38,000 miles on it. It now has 76,000. But within a year and a half of owning it, this is all the work we had to put into it. I've never had a car that needed all that repairing done before it reached 100,000 miles. Plus we had to get new tires because they had Firestone tires on them that were warping, etc. …
All the windows will fog up at random times. It does not matter if the defroster is on, if it is raining or dry outside. The only thing that seems to clear the windows is to turn on the electric. Rear window defogger and raise and lower the side windows several time. The fog on the windows gets so bad sometime that we will only have two round circles on the front windshield to see out of. We took it back to out dealer and they told us it was because of dirty windows. They cleaned the windows and we left, only to have them fog up again about 8 miles down the road. We have tried different things to keep the windshield clear such as turning on the air conditioner while the defroster is on and turning up the fan, but nothing works like raising and lowering the side windows. We know of someone else that owns a Malibu and they have the same problem. …
My 1999 Chevy mailbu has had many problems. I will start with the 2 fuel injecters replaced 2 months after purchasing. The car begin to run rough then would have problems starting. Then there was the altanator, the thermostat, the head and intake gaskets and the numurous electical problems. The electrical problems still cannot be solved after numrous tripsto the repair shop. Most of the problems have been corrected on more than one occasion. As a consumer I hope you will help us Malibu owners who are in destress. I know the auto companies are in financial trouble but that still does not excuse making an unsafe auto. I am afraid enough not to drive my car. I feel I put my family and myself in danger taking thsi car on the road. I hope you will help correct this problem. I feel my only next option is to contact a lawyer over my legal rights.
AC & Heater complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 789 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 1 recall 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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to a/c & heater 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.