Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 21,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 4% | 41,000 miles |
| 2014 | 16 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 2013 | 30 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 2012 | 30 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2010 | 23 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 23 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 0% | 71,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 10 | 1% | 88,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% | 76,000 miles |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 58 | 6% | 96,000 miles |
| 1997 | 42 | 9% | 97,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am writing to log an official safety complaint regarding my 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. This vehicle is included under active NHTSA Campaign Number 26V212000 (GM Internal Recall Number N262551720) for a defective rearview camera housing that allows moisture intrusion, causing the backup display to go blank.My vehicle has experienced a complete, permanent failure of the rearview camera screen. The backup display is entirely black/blank when the vehicle is placed in reverse, eliminating all rear visibility. This creates an immediate, active safety hazard during everyday backing maneuvers and non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.Despite the recall being announced months ago, General Motors has failed to provide a timely remedy or allocate replacement parts to my local dealership. …
My rear view camera is fuzzy and today it went out completely and the screen was black. Sometimes it shows what's behind the car when I'm backing and then suddenly the screen goes black and I'm unable to see anything. It just started today 6/15/26z . I believe this is a safety hazard and could cause an accident while backing up putting myself and others at risk . There was no warning before this happened, I just noticed the screen was fuzzy on one side, then the fuzziness would go to the other side of the screen . I wasn't sure what was happening until it completely went black .
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front driver's side window intermittently failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window became stuck while attempting to roll up or down. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The rear camera comes "loose" and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short. I believe it can be easily "fixed" (temporarily) by opening the trunk and running fingers over the camera, it should not happen. I purchased my Malibu new and seldomly drive, approximately 25k miles. I maintain proper maintenance and ensure cleanliness to avoid dust or particles inside the camera or electric components. This should not happen. The wiring should not become loose nor cause the camera to turn off. Chevy dealerships do not acknowledge the issue and expect the car owners to repair the entire electrical system. Definitely should be a recall item!
Water was leaking through the center high mount stop lamp and pooling into the spare tire well. Water was also soaking through the rear headliner. Condensation was building up inside the vehicle due to the pooled water and water soaked headliner. Condensation buildup inside the vehicle with numerous electrical components is not safe. The vehicle has been taken to the Galleria Chevrolet dealership in Dallas, Texas for repairs. Galleria Chevrolet failed to repair the issue even after giving them notice of the service bulletin [redacted] Center High Mount Stop Lamp Water Leak.
The vehicles brakes keeps popping where it makes it very hard to stop. Also the car is dying when the car does come to a stop so that you have to put it in park and start it again. The back glass is leaking. Check engine light is on and shows it being the turbo but have had it in the dealership and the continued to say it is this sensor or that sensor or a sensor is dirty but never fixed the problem. The antenna was replaced to fix the back glass from leaking. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty it comes that the problem is the most expensive issues that never was seen before on the car. I have bought several of new vehicles and the is by far the worst car. I have bought my family a death trap waiting to happen.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that she noticed water markings located on the inner hood lining of the vehicle and water had saturated the trunk of the vehicle. As a result, the alarm started to malfunction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where it was determined that water had entered the vehicle by the windshield enclosure. The contact stated that she had the windshield replaced and the screws tightened; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Issue 1: The rear backup camera is not viewable as the Infotainment Touch Screen will not power on. The soft-reset procedure did not work. I am unsure I can avoid hitting an individual while backing up. Issue 2: The steering wheel is very hard to turn. I am unsure if I could avoid a collision with a car or person.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (58), 1997 (42), 2012 (30), 2013 (30) and 2009 (23) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-164 (sun/moon roof assembly, Mar 23, 2015); 01V-068 (linkages, Mar 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (47 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (37).
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.