The anti- theft system disabled the engine while the vehicle was being turned through an intersection. With the motor dead, neither the brakes nor steering were powered. Coasted to the far right lane out of traffic flow, tried to restart the engine, but to no avail. Called a tow truck but by the time they arrived, the engine started and ran. This anti-theft system has prohibited the car from starting four times in the last year. The dealer stated that they cannot fix this. They suggested I use a backup key, but I have tried several keys inserted both ways with no improvement. This problem has stranded the driver twice at work and on two separate occasions in mall parking lots, once late at night. The dealer says they can't find what causes the problem, and they cannot disable the anti-theft system as a work-around. This appears to be a very common problem with this car that only the manufacturer can solve.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 130, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have had my lock core in my 1998 chevy malibu ls replaced about a dozen times since my car was around 30,000 to 35,000 miles. It started when the passive theft system activated in my car. I would be driving and all of a sudden it would come on. I brought it to a local dealership and they replaced it. They said that they could only follow the plans on how to fix it even though I mentioned to them that it more than likely was a short in the electrical system of the car. It happens every six to eight months where it won't start and the theft system light on the dash starts flashing at me. I called gm and they told me that I would have to sit in the car with the key in the ignition in the "on" position for up to 20 minutes. I live the upper midwest and if it was on a really cold or hot and humid day, that could be dangerous if you stay with your car. Is there any way to get it fixed and fixed right? Or have gm stand behind their product?
Anti- theft system engages for no reason. After getting in the car, we try to start it; it turns over, but will not start. I have tried several keys inserted both ways. I have been stranded at work several times because of this. I have been stranded several hundred miles away from home because of this. I have missed work because of this. It cost $ 180 every time to have it reset by the dealer. A new system is $450, but no guarantees it won't happen again. From reading web sites, this is a very common problem with this car.
On countless occasions my 1998 chevrolet malibu failed to start because the defective anti-theft system prevents starting. I fear for the time when this system causes the engine to cease when I am driving and in danger of loosing control. I know that gm is aware of this problem--hundreds of complaints have been recorded online alone. Can't you persuade gm to correct and adress this problem before injuries and/or loss of life occur--to say nothing of the hundreds of dollars chevrolet dealerships are charging affected drivers to attempt solving this problem.
The anti-theft systems seems to be an anti-owner system also. Since 1998 when this car was bought new, the ignition cylinder or the ignition switch have been replaced 6 times. This has been because of one of two reasons. Either the key won't turn or the theft system light comes on and won't let me start the car. I drive over 50 miles each way to and from work and can't afford to get stranded for any length of time should I have to stop somewhere during my travels. It's only been two weeks since it was replaced and again the light is coming on.... At $300+ for each repair since the warranty expired, it's getting a little expensive. If the only thing that can be done is to replace a defective part with another defective part and that's not reason enough to investigate this and find a solution then what is? I really like the car but this is ridiculous!
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.
Lately the anti-theft system only seems to be working to keep me from driving. I have asked everybody what I can do to stop this stupid thing and I come up with the same answers. We can change the keys, put in a new ignition, a new ignition switch. All with the same results. It will not fix the problem. I don't see why chevrolet will not recall the system and disable it some how. It used to happen just once in awhile now it seems to be happening about 2-3 times per month. Each time I am stranded for at least 15 minutes because that is how long it takes for the theft system to cycle through. I can remember at least 3 times that I have been stranded for over an hour because when the light would go off I would try to start it and the theft system light would start blinking again. Very frustrating. Other than the stupid theft system the car has been great.
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.
My theft light came on as I was driving the car. I brought it into village chevrolet and they switched out the ignition switch. (this has happened at least 12 to 15 times). They have replaced the iginition switch at least 4 times, the body control module once. At least five of those 12 to 15 times, I wasn't driving anywhere and I was using the original key that I got when I purchased the car brand new, I was attempting to start the car and the theft light came on solid. I called gm, and they told me to put the key in the on position for 15 to 20 minutes to reset itself. I live in mn, and this is totally unacceptable since we have weather extremes and I am a single woman, and this is my only mode of transportation. The last time that I brought it in for this, they cut a new key from my VIN to see if that would help solve the problem. It has happened at least 2 more times since that. I have called gm repeatedly, and they tell me that there is nothing that they can do. I am pretty sure that there is a short between the ignition switch and the starter. Is there anything that can be done???
Consumer complained about a horn problem. Contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and neither was willing to assist. Consumer was informed by the dealer that the horn was defective because of the air bag components being pressed against the wiring of the horn. Vehicle was never in an accident.
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.
This car has been nothing but a nightmare for me. And to add insult to injury, the local chevy dealer says there is nothing wrong with the car. (though it doesn't stop them from charging me for all the expensive repairs that have been made) this car has many, many electrical problems. I purchased this car as a "certified gm" back in july 2001. There are just too many issues to list on this forum. Most recent, was coming home last night with my son in the car. For no reason at all the headlights failed, leaving me w/ 1 fog lamp as the other went w/ the headlights. On a gravel road, w/ no lights. Found ourselves in the ditch. Still waiting for the tow truck to pull the piece of crap out. Son got a nice goose egg out of the ordeal from hitting his head on the door on the bumpy ride down the ditch. I am so fed up with this car.
I bought this car used, and have had problems since the day I drove it off the lot. Car was sold with "check engine" light on, and it took 2 repair visits for it to be fixed. Numerous minor problems have had to be fixed in the last 2 months that I have owned the car. New transmission put in at 69000 miles. Once I received the car back from the dealership, "check oil" light was on, but oil level was fine. Brought the car in to the dealership so the mechanic could reset it. After that, all gauges on the dash periodically quit working while driving, and mileage was not being recorded while gauges were out. When the gauges come back on, the "service vehicle soon" light is lit. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs for this problem with the gauges for the 3rd time in the last month. I definitely feel that I got a lemon and am unhappy.
Upon purchase, lighter/assessory fuse blown. Replaced fuse, recently blown again. Now blowing fuses at any try of use.
Sometimes we start the car the anti-theft controller shuts the car down for a 10 minute period for no reason.
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
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.
Consumer stated that anti-theft system failed, preventing vehicle from starting. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer/mechanic approximately 15 times, and they could not find out why the anti-theft system failed.
Pass lock system permits engine from starting for at least 10-20 minutes.
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.
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
Water leaked onto the electric system and caused left back tail light to fail.
Intermittently, the ignition switch did not work properly. The dealer changed the new key and the problem remained. *ak the theft system light had come on and shut off the fuel system off. The consumer was stranded until the vehicle restarted. The key still didn't work when the new key was made. *scc
Brake problem, ABS faulty as well, transmission slippage. Electrical system faulty I.e.; AC fan does not turn on until turned to 3, theft system intermittent. Many people have posted these same problems. Is it going to have to take a death before something is done?
When applying brakes front end pulsates which produces a grinding noise. Dealer notified. *ak the vehicle experienced vibration in the front end when braking. The vehicle has numerous brake rotor repairs. The calipers locked up and the piston seals leaked. The brake light was inoperative because the circuit lost it's contact. The horn was inoperative. The dealer replaced the air bag and repaired the horn power wire from the horn pad to the horn contact ring. *scc
Defects in 1998 chevrolet malibu. I have spent over $1000 trying to repair the ABS system (including replacing the wiring harness for what gm call an "updated wiring harness," replacing left and right wheel barons, and replacing the ABS relay). The brakes consistently have trouble and pulse when trying to stop the vehicle. I am also experiencing considerable trouble with the computer system in the car. The anti theft light and air bag lights come on and stay on, creating codes in the computer, with no visible reasons for the codes. The gas pedal has also been repaired twice as it has a tendency to stick. The left rear strut mounts have also broken and have had to be repaired (quite costly). I am becoming increasingly concerned for safety while driving this car.
I bought a 98 chevy malibu about 3 months ago.it onlyhad 69,000 miles on it at the time.since that time I have had to replace the brakesand buy a new battery.my ABS light pops on and off,my airconditioner cuts on and off by itself, and my car clucks all the time. My friend has the same car and we ride together we recognize the fact that both of our cars are giving us the same problems.
I own a 1998 chevy malibu. This vehicle will cut off while driving. I bought this vehicle brand new in june 1998 and had to take it to the shop for repair the next month. The service department at shaver motors has never been able to fix it. There is something wrong with this car's electrical system. I was driving in chicago on 80 90 toll road and this vehicle stopped for no reason while I was doing 55 miles per hour. I listed one incident date but have had numerous other problems. Also, when I first purchased the vehicle I had to replace the tires after less than 3000 miles, they were also bad.
The odometer read incorrectly. The water pump and belt failed. The wiper regulator failed. The tensioner pulley failed. The vehicles rotors warped and the master cylinder failed. *nlm
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