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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At about 27000mi (3000mi. Service) I notified dealer of squeaking in front & rear suspension bushings. Dealer sprayed lube on rear (about $100)and notified me that they would have to lower complete front end to lube front, approx $200 more. Extended warranty didn't cover. At 30000 mi service dealer notified me I needed complete brake job. I inspected brakes while on lift. Mechanic said he made mistake! He said that he hadn't pulled wheels of yet. Said there was 80% left, repair invoice said 50% left. A little over a week later there was a puddle of trans fluid on garage floor & air conditioning smelled like urine when on, also switching itself from recirculation to fresh. Took car to dealer, they replaced switch, deductible $se on extended warranty, sprayed something in outside vent (mold they said?), and tightened trans cooling line, their fault! …
Air conditioning - electrical failure, would flicker on and off. Engine - head gasket, faulty. Was replaced. Power window - regulator and motor faulty, the window just stop rolling up and down, did not show signs of faiure till it happened. In shop right now, not covered under manufacturer warranty. Other - cooling system, uses the infamous dex-cool coolant. The engine gets hot every time I drive it. Hot meaning two bars above middle. It usually resides in the middle. The radiator cap has been replaced twice and the head gasket was also suspected of being a problem related to this. The problem still exists and is going to the dealer tomorrow for another inspection. The worst time it occurred was after the head gasket had been replaced. The vehicle ran fine for two months. We took it on vacation to lake powell when the problems occurred again. The engine started to get hot. …
The consumer smelled fuel while driving. She then observed fuel dripping onto the ground while parked, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. It was determined that the fuel line was leaking at the fuel filter connector due to corrosion. The consumer feels the manufacturer should be 100% responsible for replacing the fuel line. The consumer has had other components fail on the vehicle. All four tires were replaced due to center tread wear. The front brake pads were replaced at 20000 miles and again at 41313. The driver's side sunvisor broke. Both front wheel hub assemblies were replaced due to bearing failure at 41313 miles. Both front brake rotors were replaced at 41313 miles.
Brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times since 2002- A/C goes off and on- ignition switch replaced due to electrical failure- driver's side window don't roll down- alternator and battery replaced- intake manifold gasket and radiator 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. …
Vehicle purchased in May 1999,has been in the shop 16 times for repairs, including inoperable horn, warped rotors,turned once, resurfaced once and finally replaced, interior vinyl peeling, replaced once and is occuring again,windows stuck in down position, current work order to have windows checked, break pedal making a "creaking" noise when depressed, recently repaird with at least 4-5 visits to the dealer with no successful repair of problem, defective motor on the heater, making strange noise, air conditioning is now starting to "smell" vehicle rolls when put in park, notified factory and have current file number, factory informed me that if it's still under warranty and in need of repair to bring it in...there is nothing else we (the factory) can do...I believe too numerous repairs in an 11 month period..still have outstanding work orders for needed future repairs.
This vehicle has been in the shop numerous times for repair. Parts of the ignition and fuel system were replaced less then a year ago. Recently a loud whistle noise could be heard coming from the dash area of the vehicle. We took it to the dealer in twin falls, id, who stated that it was a piece of molding that had come off from under the vehicle (another problem) and that was causing it. They were too busy to fix it, and I was in the process of moving to boise, id. I took the vehicle to the dealer in boise who stated that they knew wxactly what the problem was. I was told by the service writer that they had several Malibu's come in with the winshield not properly seated. He told me that they had to remove the windshied and reseal it. I dont know how many more vehicles are out there like this, but we have had nothing but problems with ours.
After replacing my intake gasket 8 months ago, my car still overheats. One of my cooling fans is not working. My ac level controls 1 & 2 doesn't work, only 3,4, and 5. Ac shuts off on its own. My engine belt went from sqeaking to making a noise I never heard before. Now my car is non operational due to a knocking sound coming from the engine. So far in the past 8 months, I replaced my intake gasket $600, replaced my engine belt cost $120, replaced my brake pads and caliper twice in the past 2 years $250 each time. Now I'm looking at another major repair job. Help me please
When driving the car upon putting on the brakes the car shakes and vibrates. Sometimes it is violent enough that it is hard to control. This has happened three times. I have had the car fixed twice and waiting for an appointment to have it fixed again. The lights also go dim when you roll the windows down. This was a program car when we purchased it. I need a dependable car for me and my family. Something that I do not believe that this car is.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 789 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.