1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.

Risk

If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.

Remedy

Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.

Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. If a buildup of snow or ice restricts the movement of the passenger side windshield wiper arm, the pivot housing can crack and the wipers will not operate.

Risk

Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.

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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.

Recall number 01V068000 · Recall details

In march 2001, gm notified the federal safety agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency 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 district of columbia (recall states) that receive moderate to heavy snowfall.the recall covered the subject vehicles built through january 1998.odi opened this rq in response to complaints from consumers that experienced wiper failure and were denied the recall remedy.gm is sending letters to owners not located in the recall states giving them a free remedy upon request if they anticipate driving the vehicle in areas that may have moderate to heavy snowfall.in addition, gm is notifying all owners who have changed their residence from a non-recall state to a recall state since the date of the original owner notification letter (march 2001).the actions taken by the manufacturer are sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached summary.

RQ04006

Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.

RQ03001

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 pivot housing (subject component).such a fracture LED to an immediate and irrecoverable loss of windshield wiper function.gmreported that the material composition (50% glass-reinforced acetal) of the subject component was insufficient to withstand stresses imposed by certain frozen precipitiation accumulations.the subject component material was changed to the stronger 50% glass-reinforcednylon-6, effective january 98.obsolete service part were discarded.gm will replace the subject components in 129,427 subject vehicles found in 28 states (ak, co, ct, de, id, il, in, ia me, md, ma, mi, mn, mt, ne, nh, nj, ny, nd, oh, pa, ri, sd, ut, vt, wv, wi, wy), the district of columbia, and all canadian provinces.these states accounted for 91% of the consumer complaints identified above.odi will monitor this compaign for adequate effctiveness and, if necessary, take further action in the future.further expenditure of agency resources on this matter is unjustified at this time.the engineering analysis is closed.

EA00019

There is no summary currently available

EA00010

There is no summary currently available

PE00009

There is no summary currently available

PE99071