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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: my sons antitheft constantly turns on causing the car not to start or shut off and disables his keyless remotes which than need to be reprogrammed. After searching online I was able to find a way to get it started due to many people having the same issue had some tricks. My son is in college and has been stranded many times due to this malfunction. He's had 2 accidents where the car won't fully stop causing him to hit a car. His ac light constantly shuts off making the ac not work proper. This is the worse car!
My wife was waiting in line to pick up our son from school when the cones were moved she tried starting the car 3 times. Since the car would not start she made sure that the car was in park and got out and started walking to the next car to wave them around. All of a sudden the car jumped forward and ran into a parked Jeep. She ran for the car in fear for the safety of our 4 year old son who was asleep in the back seat, and in an attempt to open the door was dragged to the ground. When the car stopped she opened the rear door to take our son out. When the police arrived they noticed that the key was in the off position and that the car was in park. My wife did not touch these items after the crash. I spoke to the drivers of the two cars right behind my wife, and the first one to the rear said that my wife had taken approx. Two steps when the car took off. …
Windshield: whistles while driving at high speeds. Taken in for repairs numerous times and told that mechanic doesn't hear anything wrong. Ongoing problem. Brakes: need to be replaced every year. Car seems to chew them up. Replaced with high quality brakes from auto zone. Lifetime guarantee, and replaced by myself. Transmission: when car goes from reverse into drive, car revs up as if in neutral. Finally kicks into gear, but is jerky for about 5 minutes afterwards.
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.
Consumer complained about an anti-lock brake problem. The transmission was also performing poorly and the ignition switch required a little jiggling before it ignited. The intake gasket leaked and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle became inoperative.
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. …
At less than 3000 miles car started to lose power in acceleration. And transmission started shifting roughly. Has now been to dealership 5 times for the same problem. My children and I have almost gotten ran over by other automobiles numerous times, simply because the car would not go. While the car was in for the 2nd repair of the clock spring they broke the tilt lever and scratched trim on steering column. Tires are wearing unevenly dealer stated this was normal for a Malibu. This car has been nothing but problems since the first day. I have driven more loaner cars than I have my own that I continue to make payments on. Most of the miles on my car has been due to repeated visits to the shop. I am very unhappy with this car, the dealership, the service dept., and the way GM has handled the case.( dot number: 93t m + s tire size: p2155or15 )
The rotors warp every 10,000- 15,000 miles. Also, the stopping distance has increased. The dealer has repaired this problem 3 times already. The consumer states that there is early shifting in all the gears, the ride is rough, the electrical rear defogger doesn't clear well, sometime the passenger seat belt sticks, the brake pedal goes to the floor/too far, sounds like air is coming through the front door/and window-per bulletin, the passenger inside door handle had broken out of the support braket-r/r, the rotors are worn/out of adjustment/and make noises when stopping/pulsation from rear brakes-drums, and at low speeds the transmission jerks/slipping-diagnosed a leak from pan bolts.
Front wheel started to squeak. This was the fourth set of front wheel bearing contacted dealer ,and dealer stated just keep changing wheel bearings . *akglove box door does not close, headlight brigher than other, fog lamp fell off while driving, foglamp assembly was replaced, passenger rear door queeks when opened / closed, automatic transmission fluid leaks, brakes noisy / squeeking when braking, vehicle squeeks when sterring right, consumer also states failures with struts and strut caps. Consumer complains that all four tires worn out too fast, whirring noise from fl tires. No tire information given.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the gear shifter stem came out of the shifter knob which made it impossible to shift gears. The contact merged to the side of the road and the stem was replaced with glue. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 10/29/14 the consumer stated it was the gear shifter knob that came off of the stem. Updated 7/15/2015
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 789 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.