While applying brakes tail lights on driver and passenger sides would not come on. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that a electrical short could not been found inside of the vehicle. *
1998 Chevrolet Malibu lights complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 83, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My turn signal works sometimes and sometimes it does not. I notice especially in cold temperatures outside it does not work for a long time until the car warms up. I try and try to use the turn signal to alert other drivers, but it is impossible. It just works when it wants to, I cannot predict if it will work or not. The bulbs are not blown, it is the turn signal lever switch when trying to use it you may or may not get a response, therefore I can't alert other drivers and cyclist that I want to turn.
The intake manifold / intake gaskets are leaking water into my oil. Because of this I am in great danger of my engine blowing. The car has 65,000 miles on it, this should not happen at all.
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.
Plastic base of sylvania 3057 dual filament tail lamps melt causing stop lights to fail.
Rack and pinion steering gear failed at 65,000 miles, causing a loss of power steering and a near accident. This is the second time this has happened (last time was at 40,000). This vehicle has also had front brakes and rotors 6 times and has experienced all other malibu problems such as air conditioner control failure, tail light melting, etc.
The rear lamp assembly on both sides of vehicle melted the lights.
The brake light was inoperative.
My brake lights are continueing to not work. I have replaced bulbs etc. The issue is the bulb sockets are over heating and the right side brake light socket is beginning to melt due to excess heat.
In july of 2002 my right tail light went out. When I took apart the lighting section I smelt burning . I went to the auto zone to buy a replacement but couldn't remove the bulb. I than took it to the chevy garage to be fixed. They said that the bulb was wrong in the board. Now (11-18-02) my tail light is out again and when I checked the other bulbs were also appearing to be melted in the board also. I took it back to my chevy garage to be fixed. They replaced the board on the right and the bulbs. Upon checking the left side rear lights were out now. They replaced the left side tail lights board and bulbs too. They are working now but next? This is too familiar of a coincedence to be happening I think this is a malfunction in the car itself. If this happens again I'll be back to complain and try to find out why this is happening to more than just my malibu! Dt
Consumer states that the brake lights on the vehicle do not work properly the consumer has replaced the bulb several times but the problem still occurs. Contacted dealer.
When brakes were applied right side brake light didn't work. Had fuse and bulb checked, nothing wrong with them.
All 4 back brake light bulbs burned out and appeared to be somewhat melted on the connection part of the bulb. Replaced, 4 weeks later drivers side bulb burnt out again. Fuses are blowing if I have the passenger side bulb panel connected.
Right tailight collects water everytime it rains in relsult the lights go out, in result the panel for the light has rusted and cannot be used, this is the 2nd panel I have purchased becuase of water leaking into taillight. I have seen 3 other mailibu's with the same situation. I want chevrolet to fix this problem I have to keep paying to purchase a new panel because of the rust, my vehicle will not pass inspection due to this defect, I feel it is a manufacturers defect.
Right brake light is inoperative, electrical wires are corroded and water is leaking into brake light cover. Dealer has yet to be contatced. *ak
Inside headlights fog up really badly, and it is hard to see at night. They hardly put out any light. When taken to dealer, they stated it was a design problem. *ak consumer states in the fall of 1998 as the weather cooled, the headlights began to fog up on the inside of the lens, in the spring of 2000, the right side was replaced under warranty, the problem is occurring again and if repaired it will not be covered under warranty.
Shorlty after purchasing this vehicle while it was still under warranty we had the passenger side headlight assembly replaced because of condensation building up. Then a couple months later somone told me that my stop lights on the passenger side were out, I thought it was the bulbs but it wasn't , it was because of water building up inside. I contacted several orginizations to see if this was possibly recalled, it wasn't. Since they want $250 for the light assembly I've been waiting to see if they would recall them considering that just in the central mass area I have seen 2 - 3 dozen malibu's with that stop light not working. I have been able to get it working by taking it apart drying it out and cleaning the electrodes with a wire brush but within a week of any rain it blows out again. I even went as far as two weeks ago resealing the seal around the housing and when we got rain that day went out and checked it and there was about a pint of water inside.I pulled the whole assembly out still together, tipped it every way possible and could not get the water to leak out from anywhere. I feel this is a safety issue because it is the stop lights. The other lights still work(the backup, directional , and even the 2 marker lights on the same bulb as the stop) its just the stop lights. Now I've noticed a little condensation in the left side assembly. I hope something can be done about this. Thank you jason jerome.
Vehicle had experienced strong vibration in the steering wheel while driving due to rotors failure.
I have owned my chevy malibu for 2 years now and since I've had it I've had to replace the right rear brake light three times. After I took the bulb out the third time I have noticed that the unit is melted. I absolutely refuse to put another bulb in for the fear of a fire. I know quite a few people that own malibu's and I know of 2 others with the same year that have had the same exact problem. I do think this needs to be investigated for a possible defect. I do not feel comfortable driving with one of my brake lights out, but I feel I have no choice.
Rear brake lights continued to fail. Brake lights have failed approximatley 5 times within past year. Dealership changed bulbs, but had failed to correct repeated failure of brake lights, either right/left or both lights. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Brake lights light bulbs power melt plastic of cover, causing no vision for other drivers on brake lights. Please add additional information.
Passenger stop light goes out intermittently, consumer believes it to be stop lamp assembly overheating.
Squeaking noise came from steering, dealer replaced steering rack assembly and power steering hoses. Right front shoulder belt would not adjust up or down, seatbelt stop button was missing, left side driver's shoulder belt retracts slowly, right front shoulder belt retracts slowly and jams at times. Rear bumper cover at left side at tail light opening has poor fit. Excessive wind noise at the left front door glass opening while traveling highway speeds. Steering shimmies while braking, dealer found warped rotors. Idle quality in gear at stop is poor, transmission mounts were weak, engine runs rough at times. Front head light fogged up, delaer found inside lens cracked. Rattle noise heard under vehicle while traveling on rough roads.
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.
Brake lights have gone out several times.
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.
Left seat buckle inoperable.
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.
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