Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
My 1999 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6 engine won,t turn on the engine whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the fuel pressure regulator won,t work whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the airbag srs system comes on in the spring time and in the hot summer time heat and in the winner time.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the headlights shut off and the lights on the instrument panel illuminated intermittently. Also, the electric window panels and the air conditioning system seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that there was a faulty ignition switch that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v4000 (electrical system) however, the remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,035. The consumer stated she began experiencing problems as early as May 2005. The electric windows, air conditioner, dashboard lights and headlights would intermittently work. However, the mechanic, could not duplicate the problem. …
This could be a significant safety issue. (will the alarm initiate itself that is located directly behind the key cylinder lock causing the vehicle to die while driving)? This has happened twice in the last month... Apparently this car has a anti-theft feature not mentioned in the user manual (mentions a alarm for the car radio, but not the car itself). My car would "not start" because "it" thought I was stealing my own car while trying to start the car. According to Chevrolet there is no way to turn it off or reset it manually (you just have to wait until the alarm goes away), the Chevrolet dealer said unit must be replaced (which would cost around $350.00 to $400.00 which I refuse to pay). Regarding safety -- what would happen if you need to move the car for some reason or another in an emergency and the anti-theft light starts blinking? …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a random progressing failure in which the key moved out of position without warning. The vehicle was also able to start without the key in the ignition. The fuel gauge also failed to provide a proper reading for an extended period of time and the bulbs constantly shorted out, which caused the contact to have to replace the low beam head lamps several times. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) years after experiencing the failures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but there was no permanent repair for the condition. The failures continued, including various warning lights flashed on the instrument cluster. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a manufacturer recall repair remedy for the key switch. The contact was not experiencing a failure prior to the repair. After the repair, the anti-theft warning light illuminated and the vehicle was unable to start randomly. The contact was unable to determine if the dealer would repair the vehicle or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy for the condition. The approximate failure mileage was 7,135.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000. Updated 03/24/15 updated 10/20/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The anti-theft warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the anti theft light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer serviced the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. When the ignition was turned to the off or on position, the theft lock system activated without warning. The contact stated it would take approximately ten minutes to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While in park, the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the pass lock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,249.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 144 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of the model year's 789 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.