1999 Chevrolet MALIBU: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
753 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
66,249 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 265 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 100 of 753 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 297 | 39.4% |
| Steering behavior | 59 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 44 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 31 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 100 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 99 |
| Electrical System | 73 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 64 |
| Tires | 44 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 39 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 32 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 32 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 100; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 99; Electrical System: 73; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 64; Tires: 44; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 39; Engine And Engine Cooling: 32; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 32
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 58 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 66 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 41 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 54 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 58; 50,000 to 74,999: 66; 75,000 to 99,999: 41; 100,000 to 149,999: 54; 150,000 and above: 22
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (66). 488 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 140 |
| 2001 | 136 |
| 2002 | 96 |
| 2003 | 102 |
| 2004 | 74 |
| 2005 | 51 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 140; 2001: 136; 2002: 96; 2003: 102; 2004: 74; 2005: 51; 2006: 15; 2007: 12; 2008: 20; 2009: 14; 2010: 21; 2011: 9; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 29; 2015: 13; 2016: 7; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 297 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 59 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 44 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000156 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000532 · 2003-01-05 (January 5, 2003)
I HAVE A 1999 CHEVORLET MALIBU WITH 73,000 MILES. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL PREVENTIVE MAINTAINCE ON THE CAR. ON 12/31/02, I NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF ENGINE COOLANT UNDER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. I WAS ADVISED AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST I HAD A LEAK AT THE INTAKE GASKET. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR WAS $596.00. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY OWNERS OF A GENERAL MOTERS (GM) VECHICLE HAVING SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. I FEEL IT IS TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND INVESTIGATE GM. GM ADMITS NO WRONG DOING THOUG…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001332 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VERY HARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001380 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE.TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001404 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALLED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001452 · 2002-12-24 (December 24, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING GAS FUMES COMES FROM THE VENT. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001646 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
CONSUEMR STATES AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001978 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WOUL COME ON IMTERMITTENLY. IT WAS SAID TO BE A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM (SINCE NEW). THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP(DEALER) MANY TIMES. NOW THE BRAKES RELEASE AND COAST AT SLOW SPEED, AND ALMOST CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED ANOTHER. THERE ARE ALSO COMPLAINTS WITH THE TIRES (INCOMPLETE INFO). SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001978 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V400000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
NHTSA campaign record ↗