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.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints
Page 2 of 14: complaints 11 to 40 of 376, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Wheel bearings keep failing, resulting in me having to get new or resurfaced rotors, pads, calipers, bearings obviously, etc. This is the fourth time in a year and a half! I can't afford to drive an unsafe vehicle, but I can't afford to keep shelling out $500-600 every six months for the same problem, either. After doing some research on the internet, and talking to a few mechanics, I'm apparently not the only one with this problem. Also, my power steering hose has a habit of blowing off the line for no reason, resulting in me having to re-attach it. But I don't care about that, I want to know what's wrong with my brake system.
The ABS warning light has been going on occasionally since I bought the car new in 1998. Recently, this has been happening frequently, almost every time, shortly after starting the car and usually during the first turn. Turning off the engine and then restarting turns the ABS light off, and it then stays off. Also, in the past month or so, the car has slid forward just as it is coming to a stop. This causes me to slide about one foot beyond where I intended to stop, which could be dangerous. I have taken to stopping well behind the car in front of me to allow for this extra slide. At the time of the slide, I feel the pressure on the brake pedal suddenly drop, and then I have to push really hard to stop. This failure only seems to happen in the first few times I stop after starting the car. I brought the car today to wilkie chevrolet in philadelphia to have this defect checked out.
At the beginning of this year, I bought a 1998 chevy malibu, 2.4 l, 4 cyl, sedan. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle I began having a problem with the ABS light commming on and my brakes were grinding really bad. I took the vehicle back to the dealer that I bought it from the day my warrenty was to run out. They supposidly reset the ABS system because it did throw them a code. The following day the same problem occured. I have had nothing but problems with the ABS since I purchased the vehicle. I've also been having a problem with the air compressor. It makes an awful noise. The dealer I purchased the vehicle from also supposidly replaced the compressor with a used one. The compressor is still making the same noise as if they never replaced it. But these repairs were done on my last day of my warrenty so the dealer will not have anything to do with the problems anymore. I love my vehicle, it is perfect for the size family that I have and it is a very beautiful vehicle but the issues I am having with it are almost not worth dealing with. Something needs to be done.
When pulling out of a friends home on a dry 60 degree night, my son proceeded less than a block to a flashing red light. Before getting to the light, he applied the brake (the car behind him saw the brake lights) and the car would not stop. He had a total brake failure. When he realized that he would soon be in the middle of the intersection with an oncoming vehicle, he accelerated to try to get out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. However, he still was hit near the rear of the back door (on the drivers side) and the car was spun into a pole on the other side causing extensive damage - the car has been declared a total loss. Fortunately, the occupants were both uninjured, but had he not accelerated it could have been quite a different story. Right now, the insurance company is pushing for us to have it moved to a junk yard to avoid the storage fees. *ak *bf
Number of problems since the car was purchased new in 1998. The front brakes have been an ongoing problem, the cooling system has a leak at the intake manifold and numerous other major problems that everyone I talk to or read about is having the same problems with this car. Chevy will not do anything about it.
A loud popping noise came from the front and rear. Consumer drove to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the left and right brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to warping.
For some reason the front disc brake pads wear prematurely.(they last about a month or so of in-frequent driving).at about every third pad change,I've had to replace both front rotors.ak
The ABS light on the instrument panel frequently turns on, especially during braking, and/or non-braking while making a turn. When the ABS light turns on, the braking capabilities of the car are diminished (conversely of what should happen). These incidents of ABS system malfunction have almost caused me to have a couple accidents where the braking system was not fully powered. It has felt like losing the power assisted brakes on the car, where there is nothing wrong with the power braking system. 99% of the time, the system works fine, but it's that 1% of the time that this happens unexpected, and is very dangerous.
I have had several problems with this car: I have replaced tires twice, tried to have the front end aligned because of the steering problem , it is like I have no power steering - when I took it to get the front end aligned, they told me that they couldn't do it because of the rack & pinion needed replaced first. I have called gm and was told that it was not their problem. The dealership told me that there is a recall on this and for me to contact you. I have already had to put a motor and brakes(several times) on this car. Please help me. Sincerely, [xxx]. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The front brake rotors on my 1998 malibu (with 113,000 miles) are warped and must be replaced. Three prior sets also warped, at 18,000, 29,000, and 91,000. After the first problem I sent a complaint to the office of defects investigation at the federal safety agency. It was assigned odi #735425. I never heard anything back. I note there are over 200 complaints about malibu rotors warping on the federal safety agency website. Isn't there some manufacturer liability for this?
When driving 10 MPH consumer turned the steering wheel towards the left and steering wheel made a grinding noise. Also, brakes were difficult to depress. Consumer was able to control the vehicle, and towed it to dealership for inspection.
While driving 20 MPH and making a left turn steering wheel locked up. Driver applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a rock. The driver was not hurt. The vehicle was towed by triple l towing. *ak consumer's daughter in law heard news of gm recalling 88,000 vehicles for a power steering defect, and relayed the news to consumer. Consumer contacted gm regarding the news and was informed that vehicle is included on the list. Also, gm said that they would send an inspector to check on to the vehicle. Consumer also reported information to her insurance carrier.
When the gas tank was full the gas gauge read empty and when the gas tank was empty the gas gauge read full. *ak the steering wheel made noises, the A/C light did not stay on and the A/C blew hot air when the button was not activated, the key would come out of the ignition and would not stay in and the vehicle would still drive without the key in the ignition. The brakes would have to be replaced at least twice a year, the antenna did not pick up an adequate number of stations, (case efficiency decreased from 350 to 250 to refill the can), when two batteries were replaced, the gas gauge did not work, and condensation would set in the rear lights and burned them out. *sc
1998 chevrolet malibu ABS light comes on. When braking, the brake pedal goes all the way down and brakes don't work correctly, making the stopping distance longer. We took the car to the dealer and they replace the front speed sensor. A few months later it started to do the same thing again. And since haven't been able to fix this problem. Also, when braking the car vibrates, I know that it's do to the front rotors, needing to be replace, but I was looking on the number of complaints that this type of cars has and don't find it to be a coincidence. Surely there is some thinking we can do to fix this problem or are we going to have to wait till someone get injured or killed. It is notably that this is a safety issue that needs to be taken care of now. We have cars on the street that have faulty brake systems, if that is not a safety issue then call me crazy. Hopefully some one get back to me.
Abs light illuminated, and the brake pedal had to be pressed down to the floor for the vehicle to stop. Also, air conditioner turned on/off on its own.
Consumer replaced the brake pads and rotors six times in 4 1/2 years.
Consumer complained about an ignition problem. Consumer had to hold the key in ignition switch, turn and hold for a period of time before the engine turned over. Secondly, seat belt on the front driver side did not retract. Had to put the seat belt on manually. Also, brakes squeak when applied.
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.
Intake manifold gasket on 3.1l v6, and head gasket failed. Severe engine damage resulted from coolant entering engine, freezing two exhaust valves and rendering the car inoperable in heavy traffic. Complete damage esimate unknown at this time. Can update later. Contact with gm customer service indicates they are not aware of the problem. Not true! A serious problem and they know it well! They apparently refuse to take any action to make right this major engine design error. This car failed in a very dangerous place.
When my car was bought from gold key auto it had 88,000 miles. The day after purchase the car would not crank, had to purchase a battery that would hold enough power to start car. The brake problem has been continous since car has been purchased they wear out and squeal once a yr. Or less, 1 yr. After puchase of car it has had a total caliber change right and left, this was a 235.00 charge from wheels unlimited in waycross cause of repair brakes locked up on car. Alternator has been changed 3 times 1st yr., one failing after another. This past dec., 1 right side caliber change and another brake change.car started making a rattle noise were timing chain is so we proceeded with changing the timing chain, replaced in dec. 2002.at the same time water pump was replaced. The rattled was still there, now my car is parked waiting to find out whats wrong now. Possible fly-wheel or timing gear.
While applying the brakes at any speed, consumer felt vibration in the steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the consumer that the rotors were warped. Had the rotors replaced three times since owning vehicle. Currently, another set of rotors were needed.
Factory alarm system module fails constantly causes fuel injectors to quit for about 10-20 min. "theft system" light blinks, once it's done blinking it might start the car, or it might fail again causing another 10-20 min. Lag period. A/c also blows cold air when off, and hot air when on at times. A/c also turns it's self off and on from time to time. Brakes seem to give out in the middle of braking. Almost had an accident because of it.
When applying the brakes they failed to grab intermittently. Dealer stated that master cylinder malfunctioned, causing vehicle to collide into an embankment.
The ABS warning indicator light illuminated. While making sharp turns in either direction and applying pressure to the brake pedal, vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. Independent mechanic could not determine the cause of the problem.
While applying the brakes ABS braking light appeared on the dashboard without warning. The brakes has been replaced five times, every 35,000 miles. While applying the brakes vehicle would vibrate, and there would be extended stopping distance.
Water is leaking into engine from the head gasket. Water pump started seeping after head gasket was replaced. The front brakes was replaced several times with finally the ones mentioned on the bulletin. First the left side wheel bearing/ speed sensor assembly changed then a couple of thousand of miles later the right side. Air condition was going on and off intermittently.
Front brakes pulsate with a violent steering wheel shimmy and front end shake.this is very dangerous at normal street speeds and highway speeds.
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
Consumer states that she has had to replace front rotors/ pads, and rear cylinders. While driving 35 MPH on highway vehicle started to shimmy and pull to the right. After taking vehicle to dealer, all the above repairs were made.
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