On aug. 10,2005 my 1998 chevy malibu, while parked with ignition off caught fire. While exiting car before the fire, I smelled no smoke or "hot" smells, I stood there approx. 3 min. While talking to my daughter. 10 min. Later the lebanon, tennessee fire dept. Was there extinguishing a fire that was mostly contained to the drivers side front headlight area, they deemed the car "totaled" . I contacted gm the same day, and after several phone conversations , on sept.13, 2005, I received a letter from mr. Mike demare, customer relationship manager, that "general motors is unable to assume responsibility for damages and we suggest that you resolve this matter through your insurance carrier." so I am still without a car, and I am disabled, with a minor child living with me. I can not afford full coverage , and only had liability on the vehicle. *nm sept.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell
6 of the 975 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
While pulling into a gas station vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed to the consumer's in-law house. The insurance investigator determined that the fire was cause by an electrical short. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
Back up light went out. Consumer replaced light, and it won't come on. There was a burning smell coming from brake light. Consumer has no brake or back up lights. Consumer pulled brake light out and it was melted. Please provide any further information.
While starting vehicle the ignition was stuck, then caught fire. Consumer took key out of ignition, fire went out, ignition switch had been replaced before this incident. On 16 april 2002 also while starting vehicle the starter caught fire. Please add further details.
Consumer's vehicle was sitting at an intersection behind another vehicle and consumer thought vehicle was moving. She lifted feet off brakes, hitting vehicle in front. Upon impact, airbags did deploy, but halfway. There was no damage to the outside of the vehicle, consumer smelled smoke coming from air bags. Dealership was aware of problem.
My husband noticed that one of my brake lights were not working,l/h side. He removed the tail light assy and pulled out the bulb. The bulb had melted at the plastic portion of the bulb, causing it to fail. My husband saved the bulb so I could show the dealer what was occurring. Hawaii motors said they fixed it. I still have the same problem and I'm affraid this might be happening to all malibus. I'm affraid my vehicle is going to go up in flames. My husband just found that to more bulbs had burned today l/h and r/h side. I'm going to talk to hawaii motors tomorrow about this same problem. If you have any sugestions for me please advise. Sincerely, marie malavenda.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Electrical system
- Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
- Electrical system
- Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code P0140
- Subject regarding intermittent communication or serial data diagnostic trouble codes stored in history
- Subject regarding revised ignition lock cylinder or ignition switch assembly replacement
- Subject on on-board diagnostic (OBD) system improvements
- Some customers may complain about weak FM radio reception and / or no AM radio reception
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- 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
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
6 of 975 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu (1%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 13 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Premature wear 53ABS 50Wipers 40Grinding brakes 35Coil spring 28Stalling 28Headlights 26Overheating 24Brake failure 23Ball joint 21Won't start 18Tire blowout 14Power steering loss 13Fuel pump 12Check engine light 11Adaptive cruise 10No deployment 10Engine failure 10Seat belt 10Shudder 9Loss of power 8Knocking 7Harsh shifting 7Jerking 7Pulling 7Airbag light 5Slipping 5Steering noise 5Water leak 5
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