Consumer states that she has had to replace front rotors/ pads, and rear cylinders. While driving 35 MPH on highway vehicle started to shimmy and pull to the right. After taking vehicle to dealer, all the above repairs were made.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu: pulls to one side
7 of the 975 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu describe pulls to one side.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Pulls to one side by model year
What owners say
Was driving approximately 25mph when vehicle started pulling to the right. Vehicle sounded as if in neutral. No control of vehicle. Managed to pull over and parked. Checked vehicle. Noticed right front passenger side wheel caved inwards. Towed to dealer. Was informed by mechanic that rack and pinion had snapped completely in half.
I have had repeated problems with the brakes and rotors wearing out ai 11000 miles since purchasing this vehicle, every 10000 to 11000 miles when applying the brakes the steering wheel vibrates fiercely and the car pulls to the right. I have carriesthe car to coleman autoplex repeatedly for the problem while under warranty and since the warranty expired to no good effect. They care less now that they have sold the car!I have tried to get them to let me speak with the area rep, but they refuse me that priviledge also. I would like for both general motors and chevrolet to be aware of my problem. I desperately need assistance. I have a 1988 delta 88 oldsmobille with 250000 plus miles on it and I have never had such brake/ rotor problems with it and I drove it back and forth to work as I do this vehicle with out barke problems. Thus my driving habits have not changed. I do not drive in stop and go traffic to and from work, I choose to work noghts to avoid that problem. Coleman tells me that the brakes wearout at 10000 miles because they are getting hot from my drive to and from austin tx which is 70miles one way. I disagree for gm products should be able to withstand such a short distance on a daily basis. Besides there are many people driving the same distance which find it ironic that I am having this problem! Please help me?
Due to the excessive wearing of the rotors, when brakes are applied, front end shakes, and the vehicle pulls to the left. Dealer has been contacted.
This car has a directional stability problem on the highway. It wanders back and forth across the driving lane and you constantly have to correct the steering wheel. If you relax or look away for a moment, such as at a highway sign, you never know where the car will be in the lane. On long trips it fatigues you terribly. The dealer has tried to remedy the situation with a new tire, new alignment, tire rotation, tire pressure, etc., but nothing works. I noticed this problem driving the car home after picking it up new. The dealer had me drive another malibu with approx the same mileage, and it drove the same. The local chevy dealer service mgr. Says his drives the same way. I have contacted chevrolet and they noted the problem, but offered no solutions. I retired from the auto collision business where I specialized in heavy collision repair and driveability. I have worked for every gm car line at a dealership. I know what I am talking about, when I say this car has a design problem. It is the worst driving gm car I have ever driven. It is my wifes car and I worry about her on the highway. People should be warned about this problem. It is the perfect commuter car around town, but I am afraid this problem will contribute to highway crashes and deaths. For my wifes safety, I think I will be forced to get rid of this car.
The saftey belts are hard to fasten and come undone,ticking noise when cold then diminishes,headlights fogging up inside,low speed braking, car pulls to the left.
While driving about any MPH and when starting to rain, consumer steps on the brakes, and the vehicle wanders from side to side. Sometimes consumer loses control of vehicle.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu pulling
Is pulls to one side a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
7 of 975 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu (1%) mention pulls to one side. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Premature wear 53ABS 50Wipers 40Grinding brakes 35Coil spring 28Stalling 28Headlights 26Overheating 24Brake failure 23Ball joint 21Won't start 18Tire blowout 14Power steering loss 13Fuel pump 12Check engine light 11Adaptive cruise 10No deployment 10Engine failure 10Seat belt 10Shudder 9Loss of power 8Knocking 7Harsh shifting 7Jerking 7Fire or smoke 6Airbag light 5Slipping 5Steering noise 5Water leak 5
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