DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Chevrolet / Malibu / 1998

Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Malibu 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

976Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
8Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
59Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes458 complaints

458 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine157 complaints

157 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System147 complaints

147 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V400000.

Suspension115 complaints

115 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting90 complaints

90 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering78 complaints

78 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V527000.

Visibility65 complaints

65 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V068000.

Tires58 complaints

58 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train55 complaints

55 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

01V068000Reported March 8, 2001 - 129,427 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on March 8, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 129,427 vehicles across all affected models.

03V527000Reported December 11, 2003 - 750,283 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on December 11, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 750,283 vehicles across all affected models.

14V400000Reported July 3, 2014 - 5,877,718 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on July 3, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 5,877,718 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA00010Opened March 27, 2000 - Closed August 9, 2001

STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA00019Opened July 12, 2000 - Closed March 6, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPER. Resulted in recall campaign 01V068000.

PE00009Opened February 22, 2000 - Closed July 12, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99071Opened November 17, 1999 - Closed March 27, 2000

STOP LAMP. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ04006Opened July 7, 2004 - Closed January 13, 2005

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ04006Opened July 7, 2004 - Closed January 13, 2005

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199842
1999185
2000181
2001154
200273
200386
200491
200543
200619
200725
200818
200910
201011
20116
20125
201413
20156
20162
20173
20191
20201
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.