1998 Chevrolet Malibu: won't start

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 180,000 miles · GA

I received my chev recall letter ref recall 14350 today. This is not a complaint, just info that may be important in reference to this safety recall. Problems I have had with my 1998 chev malibu is : engine shuts off while traveling at highway speeds-sometimes engine won't start ( ignition key will not go all way to start position)-sometimes engine want shutoff (ignition key want turn back to off position). As a retired truck mechanic I know that the problem is in the ignition switch lock cylinder (tumblers are worn excessively causing the lock cylinder to jam and/or be come loose allowing ignition key to rotate off) . I have attempted to make repair myself but all parts outlets tell me that the lock cylinder is not available (must purchase $350.00 ignition switch assembly) if this recall does not include replacing the lock cylinder,the problem will not be corrected. Experienced mech/tech can replace the lock cylinder in about 10 minutes.

Filed Mar 1, 2012 · Electrical · OH

The anti-theft light comes on at sporadic times and does not allow car to start. You then have to wait at least 10 minutes to restart car. This could be a potentially dangerous situation depending where you are when car will not start. I had a small child with me on the way to the doctor and made a stop at the drug store, then tried to restart car to proceed to doctor and car would not start. Since I only recently acquired this car, I have done research on this problem and see that it is a big problem with chevy malibus. Why isn't there a recall for this--or, if there is one, please advise.

Filed May 13, 2011 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · NY

Anti-theft ignition system disabled starting of car. I put the key in the ignition, the car turned over but would not start, manual says the fuel pump is disabled by anti-theft. By accident waited in car about 10 minutes while trying to reach manufacturer, the flashing antitheft light had gone out, I tried starting the car and it started fine. However further online research indicated that this is a pervasive problem went hundreds of complaints. My source was carcomplaints.com. Called chevrolet and filed a complaint was assigned a case number. This is not a safety issue per se, but it could be in the event of needed to get someone to an er, for example.

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Electrical · 124,000 miles · WI

Went to start my 1998 chevy malibu, and it wouldn't start. It would turn over and start for like 2 seconds, but then shuts off. I tried starting it a few times, and then realized that the "theft system" light was flashing. After I tried the few times, the light shut off and then my car started up no problem. Has happened 3 days in a row now.

Filed Apr 7, 2010 · Electrical · CA

1998 chevrolet malibu will not start due to passlock program. *kb the consumer stated normally he would drive somewhere and turn off the ignition, but when he tried to restart it, nothing happened. On the left side of the screen on the dash an icon flashed. He had to wait 10-15 minutes for the light to stop flashing, exit the vehicle, get back in and then the vehicle started.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · TX

When trying to start the car the anti theft system light blinks and car will not start. Wait about 10 minutes and car will eventually start. This happens a couple of times a week. The problem has not been corrected.

Filed Sep 8, 2009 · Electrical · SC

Under normal usage, the vehicle will shut off, and the dashboard theft light comes on . At other times the vehicle will not start, and the theft light comes on. The failure occurs at least once a week. This can be dangerous, im afraid it will happen while driving. I have taken the car to a mechanic, and have found the problem. The problem is the gm passlock ii system. I did some research online and have found thousands of people with the same problem. I cannot believe that such a widespread problem has not been addressed.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Electrical · 186,900 miles · WI

I have a 98 chevy malibu. The car was running fine until a couple of weeks ago when I went to start it. The theft system light was on and the car wouldn't start. After the light shut off it started and this happens alot. Everyone I talk to that has a chevy seems to be having the same problem. The shop wants over $200 to fix it. I believe that the ignition tumbler is faulty and is set up to go bad so that they can get more money am very angry that this keeps happening to me. I have read over 1000 reports about people having this particular problem and chevy needs to fix it.

Filed Sep 29, 2008 · Electrical · NJ · 1 injury

I have a 1998 chevy malibu that does not start due to a faulty reset passlock system. Chevrolet does not know how to fix it. It is clearly dangerous since I am going to get mugged or worse waiting the 10 minutes it takes to "fool" the anti-theft system and get the car to start. There are over 1000 complaints all over the internet, in various years of manufacture of this defective chevrolet product. There must be some solution to this. The other night I was in a dark parking lot for 20 minutes waiting for my car to let me drive home. I called gm again and was told they still do not know why this is occurring in the malibu but just that it has something to do with the passlock system and the car "thinks" it is being robbed. Please rob my car. Then I will be safe!!

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Steering · OH

Anti theft system malfunction in my 1998 chevy malibu has caused turmoil and hardships. The system malfunctions regularly and strands me in not so safe places. It is much more dangerous to sit in my car in a dark parking lot then to have it stolen. Sometimes after the 10 minute wait, the ignition still doesn't turn over, and im waiting another 10 minutes, and then again. Last night it took 4 hours for it to go off. Needless to say I was very late for work. I have read thousands of complaints on this issue, and this should be recalled. It is dangerous to chevy's consumers, a horrible engineering idea, and they should be ashamed of themselves for not recalling this dangerous issue.

Filed Oct 13, 2007 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

Once or twice a week when I turn the key to start the car, it cranks but doesn't start. The theft system light starts flashing. After 10 minutes I can try again and it usually starts. I've found dozens of other complaints for this problem with this car. I've called chevrolet (national 800 number) twice; each time they say they've never heard of it. I've called two dealers; they know what I'm talking about, but of course a diagnosis is still required.

Filed Jul 22, 2006 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · MN

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?