1998 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · WI

The complaint is for the electronic ignition and the taillights and brake lights. The brake lights and tail lights have already been fixed twice, I am told it is an electrical problem, they work when they want to. This is a problem at night when I have no tail lights or when the brake lights don't work. The other problem is the ignitions switch, the key won't move in the ignition, which makes it impossible to start. After reading on line, there are hundreds of other people with the same problem with malibu's and other chevy vehicles, but nothing is being done about this. I am unsure of the incident date because it has happened several times.

Filed May 31, 2007 · Lights · 100 miles · ID

Tail lights on almost all chev. Malibu's are bad mostly on the right sides if you going down the road look for yourself almost always they have at least one burned out light. I own two my kids drive and almost every time they wash them or it storms I have too replace bulbs the tail light fills with water.

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Lights · 123,000 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated while driving and depressing the brakes for any length of time the brakes light fail. The lights over heat and smoke then explode causing them to fail. The vehicle has not been inspected nor has the manufacturer been alerted.

Filed May 4, 2006 · Lights · 5,000 miles · ID

Repeatedly have to replace tail light bulbs because tail lights fill with water every storm or when washed until they finally burn out. Mechanic says he sees this problem over and over with malibu's. Any recalls on this problem?

Filed Feb 6, 2006 · Lights · CA

Driving the car to work on a regular basis and it seems every two months the tail light bulbs need replacing. I keep replacing them but it is not working. It is dangerous because one minute they work. Drive down the road and it is not working. Is there a recall on this? There should be.

Filed Sep 30, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 119,000 miles · TN · fire

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.

Filed Aug 16, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · UT

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.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

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

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Lights · 107,000 miles · SC

While braking tail lights failed. Dealerships repaired the problem eight times, but the consumer was still having the same problem.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Lights · KY

While applying brakes tail light malfunctioned. Tail light would come on and off on its own. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that an electrical short could not be found inside of the vehicle.