I have replaced a battery twice. I bought my 1998 malibu used. The first time we were able to keep jumping it, to get it were I needed to go. Found out the positive charge was broken from battery. Six month's later on january 19. My ABS light comes on and I lose all power on snow and ice. Luckily I was able to keep control of my car and get it stopped. If there would be a been another car coming towards me I would have hit them head on. I had it towed the following day, and they said my battery was leaking acid and my timing belt was breaking. I have only had my car a year and I bought it from a dealership. What's causing the battery to leak acid? I am scared to death it will happen again and next time I won't be so lucky.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 130, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle has sensor that automatically turns on headlights at dusk. Consumer feels this is a safety issue because headlights cannot be turned off without turning vehicle off. It could be blinding to other vehicles or persons in special situations.
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.
While driving battery light flashed, and a bubbling noise was coming from engine. Dealer serviced vehicle, and noticed that intake manifold was leaking. Please provide further information.
Back lights/brake lights melted out. Contacted dealer.
Used four set of brakes. Sensor had internal electrical failure, j4355 sensor ,crankshaft position replaced. Radio has never worked right despite radio supposely sent off for repair. Two positive battery bolt and cable replacement and on another occasion discovered post broken off in battery.
Theft prevention light comes on intermittently, unable to start vehicle at that time. Dealer replaced passenger's lock sensor/cylinder, and switch twice. At this time light comes on while driving. *ak dealer has also replaced the passlock system and oxygen sensor.
Vehicle has an electrical cluster which records mileage driven, however instead of recording the mileage, the word error has illuminated, the dealer informed consumer that a computer chip malfunctioned and would cost 400 to 500 dollars to replace it.
Severe brake pulsation at highway speeds, difficult to control car. Rotors replaced at 18000 mi, rotors turned at 33000 mi, need to replace again at 46000 mi. Rear stop lights keep burning out due to problems with printed circuit. Replaced light assembly twice, replace bulbs every 5-6 months.
The coolant was leaking into my engine. I was told the engine block was cracked, after being without my car for 4 days, they told me it was just a gasket leaking. They then "as good citizens" repaired my car under warrenty and charged me $73.95 for an oil change and fuel filter because these things had to be done while they were investigating the leak. I had just recently had my oil changed. Within the first few months of having my car I noticed serveral problems that I reported to the dealer and was waved off several times. I even rode with a service manager who explained that the ticking in the engine, the whinning my window made when rolling it up or down, the squeeking in the front and back of car were all normal because my car was settling like a house does. These noises and squeeks are normal!!! Shortly there after, my wheel bearings were replaced, my window failed to roll up while on my way to work when it began pouring rain. The ticking noise was explained three years later, since the coolant was leaking into my engine. I have replaced break pads, and my rotars and am on my way to replacing both again at 36,000 miles. The ticking noise in my car is still present and now the air conditioner goes out intermittently while driving. I replaced the lamps in my break lights twice before another malibu owner told me it was a problem in the circuit board. I am not happy with this vehicle and can't wait until I can afford to get rid of it. I will never buy another chevy unless the choose to rectify this situation. After reading the other compliants I now see I am not the only person to ever report the leaking of the coolant and am frustrated since I was told this was never seen before!!!
Headlights intermittently don't come on and go off when in use. Problem has to duplicate by itself for dealer to fined a solution.
Vehicle had experienced strong vibration in the steering wheel while driving due to rotors failure.
Air conditoin panel has gone out twice and has been replaced now it is going out a third time. @ had replace brakes twice in one year and also replace the roters, rear suspension makes a noise a craking souns like the shocks are bad. Transmission problems ,car will not shift out or change gear. It has been put on the computer 2 times and no code is showing up in the transmission. Please help I have had problems with this car since day one. And I have no extended warrenty.
The ignition lock was replaced in october of 1999 because the key would not turn. It just had to be replaced again on 4/23/01 because the ignition lock was so worn out, if you took the key out, the car would still run. This was extremely dangerous, because if I thought the car was completely off, and left it in a lot or in the street somewhere, and it turned out it was on, someone could have been really hurt. According to two differnet gm dealerships, and an independent mechanic who I consulted on this matter, the ignition lock should last the life of the car, and this is the third one I have had since 1998. Any assistance you could offer would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Faulty starter caused fire when the vehicle was at a gm authorized service center. Nlm
Vehicle has stalled numerous of times especially when I am at a complete stop and engine light will go on. Slow crank and battery has been replaced twice. The headlights and interior lights dim whenever you slow down to come to a complete stop. The car is currently in the shop due to the stalling issue, mechanic states it is a problem in the computer system and will and to be replaced at my expense. Motor mounts are also corroded which is highly unusually due to car only being 3 years. I was unable to give the VIN # due to not having access to vehicle at the moment. The vehicle is currently in the shop undergoing repairs.
Car has stalled over 35 times over a two month span. The repair shop has replaced ignition switch, reprogrammed the PCM, and replaced the PCM. I have replaced the battey and the fuel filter. The car will stall at any speed. It would restart 'till 12/24/00 when it stalled for the last time as I approached an intersection. My two children were with me at the time. I managed to pull over. I tried over fourty times to restart the car. The engin turned over fine. It did not drag. Finally, I had it towed to the dealer for repair. This is the third time that I takit in with in a two month period to have the stalling repaired. About two months ago, we were coming back form vacation when the car died on us over twenty times form san diego to sacramento. At one point, while running, the car would accelerate and deccerate as if someone was puming the accerator in a rapid motion. Then the car would die out. I would pull over and restart it. After a while, I got the hang of it. It would die out, I would put it in nuteral, and I would restart the car. It was night time and it was very dangerous every time that I had to pull over to restart it. I was with my wife and two children. Second problem: the ABS light lit up when the car had 35,800 miles approximatly. I took it in to the dealer and at that time the light was out. It would come on intermittenly. The dealer could not diagnose a problem. Around 37,000 miles, the ABS would come on everyother day, and the car would go into an ABS brake every time the light wold come on. I took the car in to the dealer and had the left front wheel sensor replaced. That took care of the ABS problem. I put off the repair because I did not have the money to have it fixed. I have also replaced the brake pads at 30,000 miles and it soulds like they need to be repalced again. They squeek when I brake. My primary concern is the car's defect with the stalling. I am afraid that some day we may get in an accident.
While traveling and without any indication vehicle would stall at any speed . Please provide further information.
Almost as soon as I bought the car, rear lights began to go out sporadically, I've already had to replace the brake shoes twice (at 18,000 and about 44,000 miles), I had to replace the alternator at 37,000 miles, one seat belt clip plastic handle protector broke off, and I've had radiator leakage and air condition problems as well as radio reception being sporadic at best.
Bushings on control arms defective and battery accid leaks
At around 40 thousand miles the alternator went out on the car causing the car to completely stop in a turning lane in traffic. The rubber lining going all the way around the car has begun to fall off. The brake pads and shoes had to be replaced long before they were due. The tires, which supposedly had a 70,000 mile warranty on them had to be replaced at 40,000 miles. That cost us 300 dollars to replace. After looking on message boards I don't seem to be the only one with problems with the malibu and I really think someone ought to be looking into this. Seems like these cars are made to fall apart after the warranty has expired.( dot number: tire size: 16 )
Theft deterent system sensors have been replaced 7+ time since 11k causing the vehicle to run for 3-4 min, turn off and not restart, problem is still not fixed.
Vehicle would hesitate or almost stop while driving. Also occurred when attempting to accelerate after vehicle was stopped for a minute or two. In december 1999, reprogrammed PCM(power control module)/clr codes. Referenced bulletin 99-0604032. In january 2000, problem recurred, replaced ignition coil. In july 2000, problem recurred, roadtests conducted. Technician contacted "tans" and determined that fuel pressure below specs. Replaced sending unit (sender) and filter.
Left seat buckle inoperable.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Alternator went out while I was driving down a busy highway in rush hour traffic. Car completely died. Could not jump start. Had to have it towed to a mechanic who stated this was the fourth alternator he had replaced on this year of chevy malibu in the last month and for me to inquire as to a possible recall on these parts. Also have had to change the light bulbs in the brake lights and back up lights at least once every other month since purchase. Brakes were serviced with new pads and everything from the dealer 4 months ago and now the ABS light is comming on and going off and intervals. Air conditioner shuts itself off frequently. The little green light goes out and the system blows hot air. I have to turn the power down on it to get the little green light to come back on again and for the air to cool off again. I have noticed air drafts comming from the door handles on the inside of the vehicle while driving on the highway.
Please see comments from previous entry (forgot to add stop/tail lights) to list. No safety defect mentioned.
Horn assembly came on intermittently. Consumer has notified dealership, and the mechanic cannot duplicate the problem.
Battery has failed within 3 years, and will not start on its own..*ak squeak in left rear when getting in and out due to rear stabilizer shaft bushing failure.
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