69 of the 1,480 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.
69
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VISIBILITY
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A DOWNPOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FLY ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEY STOPPED WORKING CAUSING HER TO HAVE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE.
NHTSA complaint #10396722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LINKAGE ON THE MOTOR FOR BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT A SALVAGE FACILITY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000, VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, LINKAGES WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES DUE TO A BUILDUP OF SNOW, ICE, AND CORROSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10340910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PASSENGER-SIDE PIVOT HOUSING HAS CRACKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). UPON CONTACT HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SO HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 01/15/10.
NHTSA complaint #10295569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
THE WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD SOME LIGHT FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD SHE LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT THE FROST HAD TURNED TO WATER SO SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY JUST WENT NUTS THE RIGHT WIPER WENT OVER TOP OF THE LEFT ONE SO SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM DOWN SHE THEN CONTINUED WITH HER DAY WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT SO I WENT OUT TO SEE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ARMS WERE BROKEN AT ONE END ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SO I THEN TOOK THEM OUT TO REPLACE THEM AND WHEN I LOOKED THEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON RECORD, SO I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE 1-800-222-1020 AND SEE JUST WHAT I CAN HAVE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10249612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
DRIVING TO WORK IN HEAVY RAIN ON A BUSY STREET AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT AND THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE PIVOT HOUSING AS THE DEALER CALLED IT IS CRACKED AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10243624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BEGAN TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10234796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
USE OF THE WINDOW AND FAULTY DESIGN WITH PLASTIC PARTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WINDOW IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE USED AND HAS TO STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION OR IT FALLS INTO THE DOOR. TOO EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT.
NHTSA complaint #10205758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING DURING ICE STORMS IN JANUARY 2007 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A BROKEN PIVOT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SAME DEFECT WAS COVERED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I LIVED OUTSIDE THE SALT BELT,CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM FEARFUL, BUT FORCED TO, DRIVE IN RAIN STORMS WITHOUT WORKING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ARROGANT ABOUT HELPING IN THIS SITUATION FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10190683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I PURCHASED MY 1998 MALIBU, IT'S HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 WITH IN LESS THAN A WEEK OF PURCHASING I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT I DO KNOW THE CAR DID NOT PASS EMISSIONS AND IF I HAD TO PAY FOR IT, IT WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER 500 DOLLARS, I HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT BRAKES ON 3 OCCASIONS, I HAVE FIXED THE LEAKING TRANSMISSION 2X, I HAVE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS ABOUT 4X, I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE LINING IS COMING OFF THE TRUNK. THESE ARE ALL PROBLEMS I HAD IN LESS THEN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. SINCE MARCH 2004 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP, 2 OF THE INJECTORS AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SMALL REPAIRS HERE AND THERE. EVERY TIME I FIX SOMETHING WITHIN LESS THEN A WEEK OF DRIVING IT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR IT UNTIL I CAN SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT MORE INTO IT. I AM CURRENTLY REPLACING THE INJECTORS WHICH I HAVE ALREADY PAID 600 DOLLARS AND HAVE 4 MORE TO GO. I AM WORRIED THAT AFTER I PUT THIS MONEY INTO IT I WILL STILL HAVE MORE PROBLEMS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BUT THEY ARE UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT. NOBODY CAN TELL ME EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH BECAUSE I NEED TO FIX ONE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY CAN BE SURE OF THE NEXT. THIS CAR WAS THE WORST PURCHASE I HAVE MADE. I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE LAST YEAR DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEB SITES AND ABOUT THIS CAR AND EVERYONE IS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND PUTTING OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10132979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BLEW UP.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10117730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE STORM. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. *BF RESPONDED TO PREVIOUSLY VIA E-MAIL REFER TO ODI#10093392.
NHTSA complaint #10107437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10096922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
(1) I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-75 AN HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. WHILE DOING 70-75 MPH IN HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF HURRICANE FRANCES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING WINDSHIELD AWASH IN RAIN AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 6 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINSHEILD WIPER ARM SNAPPED FIRST IN THE VERTIAL POSITION, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM RAN OVER TOP OF IT BREAKING IT TOO. TRECHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE ENDURED IN ATTEMPTING TO GET OFF INTERSTATE. I WAS LEFT TO DRIVE WITH NEARLY NO VISIBILITY THROUGH HURRICANE FRANCES FOR 3 MORE HOURS UNTIL I MADE IT FAR ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE STORM. 3) WHEN BACK HOME IN LOUISVILLE, I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER TO GET ESTIMATE AND FIXED SINCE IT WAS PREDICTED TO RAIN SOON. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES BREAKING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO TRY TO GET GM TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK I SEARCHED SAFETY RECALL DATABASE HERE AND CAME ACCROSS OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PART THAT FAILED. THEREFORE I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ALSO. RQ04006. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN 2001 BUT ONLY IN 28 NORTHERN STATES.
NHTSA complaint #10093392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
RECALL 01V068000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM. WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP OPERATING OR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD LOCK UP IN A DOWN POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10089899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ABOVE SETTING 3. THIS RESULTS IN OPERATOR TO HOT(HEAT) OR TO COLD(A.C.). CANNOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10086293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ANTI THEFT ACTIVATES ALOT , JUST WISH I COULD START THE CAR WHEN I NEED IT .HEATER CONTROL DOESN'T WANT TO WORK RIGHT, IT WOULD ALSO BE NICE TO HAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER , BEEN TO SHOP A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT GM CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. CHEVROLETS ARE JUNK, I WONT BUY ANOTHER ONE. I FIXED MY BRAKE PROBLEM BY USING CERAMIC PADS, COST A LITTLE BUT WELL WORT IT ( HAD THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT WERE REPORTED HERE EVERY 5000 OR SO MILE IN FOR REPAIRS. ) WHEN I PUT CERAMIC PADS ON THEY LASTED 40,000 MILES AND STILL GOING STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10058917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A RECALL BEING CONDUCTED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF IT. RECALL NO. #01VO68000, WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10057293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE HOUSING OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND AS A RESULT THE WIPERS DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. ALTHOUGH THIS DEFECT WAS ON RECALL THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE STATED IN RECALLS, WHICH INCLUDED THE STEERING GEAR BEARINGS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS.
NHTSA complaint #10053842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. RECALL 01V068000 WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10050527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE SYSTEM CRACKED WHILE IN USE DURING A HEAVY RAIN CAUSING BOTH WIPERS TO FAIL. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 65 TRAVELING AT 55MPH. VISIBILTY AFTER THE INCIDENT DIMINISHED TO APPROX 20-30 FEET. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULL TO THE ROADSIDE. *AKHOWEVER I DON'T THINK AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS,, WEATHER, SPEED, TRAFFIC... I SEARCHED FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES FROM CHEVY ON THIS AND FOUND ONE, 01V068000. WHY WASN'T MY STATE LISTED IN THE GROUP TO NOTIFY? THERE IS A REAL DANGER IN THE PLASTIC DESIGN OF THE WIPER MOUNT. PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND HAVE CHEVY NOTIFY ALL OF US MALIBU OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGER...THANK YOU PHLECIA PARTAIN
NHTSA complaint #10049566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*MR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN A SNOW STORM AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10042786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
INTERMITTENTLY PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S VIEWS.
NHTSA complaint #10038007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT.*MR PASSENGER WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL 01V068000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10024644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ITS RACK AND PINION STEERING AND ALL POWER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARM REST POPPED OUT, THE VEHICLE PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT (DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM). THE DEALER FINALLY REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BRAKE ROTORS, 2 SETS OF TIRES/ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD AT THE TIME ONLY 13K MILES. THE RIMS HAD TO BE FORCED OFF, THE FRONT ROTORS HAD BECOME RUSTED AT 20K MILES, THE IGNITION WIRE HARNESS HAD COME APART, THE POWER STEERING HOSES HAD COME LOOSE, LOST FLUID AND POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION, THE TRUNK LEAKED, THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON TWICE A WEEK, THE FRONT END SQUEAKED AND RATTLED, THE ANTENNA WIRE WAS LOOSE, THE RIGHT HEAD LAMP HAD PERMANENT MOISTURE WITH NO CRACK, THE A/C WOULD SHUT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY, THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AT 60K MILES AND THE WANING LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR ONLY FIVE MINUTES, THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL, AND THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING HAD BROKEN. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10022685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE ODOMETER READ INCORRECTLY. THE WATER PUMP AND BELT FAILED. THE WIPER REGULATOR FAILED. THE TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLES ROTORS WARPED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *NLM *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL#0 1 V 068 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10009656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SHUT OFF CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 01V068000, CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM BROKE INSIDE THE CASING DURING A SNOW STORM AND BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE ARM, IMPAIRING CONSUMERS VISIBILITY, CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #566511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.