Water is leaking into engine from the head gasket. Water pump started seeping after head gasket was replaced. The front brakes was replaced several times with finally the ones mentioned on the bulletin. First the left side wheel bearing/ speed sensor assembly changed then a couple of thousand of miles later the right side. Air condition was going on and off intermittently.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 50, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The head gasket failed, without warning. *jb bad axles in front did not feel safe. *tt
The vehicle vibrated all the time. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the motor mounts and the transmission mounts. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced, but the parts were on back order.
The consumer purchased the vehicle without a dip stick, therefore the mechanic had no idea where to pour the transmission fluid.
I purchased new 98 malibu and traded back in w/in one month for another because of severe mechanical problems. This automobile was in for service on 11/23/01 for transmission leak and all gaskets & seals replaced. I had in for service on 8/5/02 for $1146 worth of work on various parts. I reported that vehicle lost power on highway but fuel pump was replaced for that problem. I pointed out that I thought car had transmission problem at that time and was told that car did not have history of transmission problems even though auto had all transmission seals replaced in 2001 by dealership. All work was done by dealership that auto (#2) was purchased from. Regular maintenance done on car without fail. Just replaced front arms on vehicle less that 1 mos. Ago for $400 and was told by sales that this was an earlier problem also w/98 malibu. Dt
While driving on highway travelling approximately 70mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed. Ts
Upon starting the vehicle, it vibrated severely, and engine check light would blink on/off. The vehicle has been to the dealer on seven occasions, and the problem still occurs. The consumer states that the vehicle has a hard start and sometimes has to pump the pedal.
Dealer declares car " unsafe to drive ". I feel transmission mounts should last longer than 40,000 miles.
In pouring rain the w/s/w transmission broke, two days after recieved a recall letter, reimbursement refused.
When the transmission went bad it would not shift into first gear,mechanic said the transmission was almost out of its case. They also said they had 2 other malibus,same year, with the same problem. All 4 tires were replaced in january by len stoler. They were also supposed to fix the problem in the left front tire, but it has since reoccurred.they robbed me of about $900 and were very rude about the situation. Therefore I took the car to a transmission specialist to repair the transmission problem. I have not gotten the steering problem fixed yet.
Although my chevorlet malibu is only 2 years old. My transmission is shot. I have reported brake problems to the dealer three times. They checked it twice, told me there was nothing wrong. I can hardly stop my car. The rear [r] brake light has been fixed twice in two months due to a leak and wire shorts. However there is still a problem.
Vehicle had experienced strong vibration in the steering wheel while driving due to rotors failure.
Pivot drive assembly seized causing the wipers/ transmission to fail but the dealer stated it was not covered under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v068000.
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.
Front wheel bearings are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. *ak
The strut and shocks damaged, and vehicle nocks and wobbles cause of looseness in front right drive shaft.
Car still made noise after hub/bearings replaced. 2nd time hub/bearing replaced noise was louder. Got 2nd opinion, was back plate rubbing against rotor. Did I even need my hub/bearing replaced. 3/23/01 said I need rotors resurfaced, 2nd opinion - rotors fine. Chevy is ripping me off. Charged me for new serpentine belt & never replaced it. Moisture in headlights.
Engine stalls when driving or parked dealer coudn't remake problem, rough engine vibrations when car is at idle, transmission slips on numeruse occasions.
Vehicle experienced several transmission related problems, consumer stated while pushing accelerator from a complete stop, engine would rev up but vehicle would not move, after a couple of seconds, the transmission would engage, this would also happen while driving, transmission experienced slipping, dealer rebuilt transmission, also, left front axle boot was torn, dealer replaced the left inner tripod joint boot. Gas cap tether broke, dealer replaced gas cap. Vehicle would vibrate while braking, dealer replaced warped rotors and front brakes, the right front caliper was later replaced due to a torn piston boot. Oil was leaking from the front crankshaft seal, dealer replaced seal. Steering column tilt housing bowl assembly machined improperly from factory causing tilt wobble, also caused a popping noise. Consumer heard a clunk noise from rear when going over bumps, dealer replaced both lower control arms.
Left seat buckle inoperable.
Starter made rattle when started. Nose cone shearred off starter and bored through transmission. Need to replace whole transmission.
While driving on road over 45mph vehicle will sway/won't stay in its lane. Also, factory battery had started melting through the plate/ABS light came on when starting vehicle/ upon applying brakes they squeaked, and vehicle won't go in reverse.*ak the transmission failed. The A/C is inoperable. Brakes failed four times.
Both left and right front wheel bearings are bad. I was informed that this is a common problem with chevy malibu's when they reach 50,000 - 60,000 miles. If this is a common problem, shouldn't this repair be covered? I have not called the manufacturer/dealer yet, but I plan on doing so. I also had the front control arms replaced in 1998.( dot number: ? Tire size: p215 93t )
Wwindshield wipers/ transmission broke. (have defective part).
Timing chain failed. Yh
Transmision slips, temp/elec. Problems, major vibration when applying brakes-hi & lo speeds
This vechile was been in the shop a minimum of 9 times.this is the 2nd malibu that I have owned the first one was in the shop just as much if not more.the chevrolet dealer traded me out, and upgraded me for no extra money ,but this car is no better thatn the first one. I feel that this the worst car that we have every owned and would tell any one never to buy one. I feel very unsafe in this car. No my steering rack is going and the cv boot is leaking.
Transmission mounts need replacing. Yh
Ongoing problem with vehicle skipping / jumping out of gear at 60-65 MPH, and egine check light remaining on. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on four occasions, and nothing could be found. Seeking help from the federal safety agency on this matter.
When I am driving the car, all the lights on the dash(panel) light up and the speedometer starts going crazy. One minute it shows that I am traveling 10 miles an hours then in a split second it shows that I am going 110 miles an hour. All the other gauges start going back and forth as well. I have no idea how fast I am going or if my car is about to just quit completely. When I first brought my car, about a year later or so (and I am just estimating) the dash board started acting crazy but I just blue it off. Then I was traveling to dallas to look for a place to live and the lights all come on and the speed went crazy then the car started to die. I made it to the dealership before it died. They stated it was the altnerator, that was replaced. It worked fine for a while then it happened again. I took it to the dealership in san angelo and they said there was an electrical short. That was fixed and it didn't happen for a while then it happened again yesterday (10/3/99). I am a single parent and I travel a lot back and forth from dallas to san angelo. I am absolutely a neverous wreck when driving my car. I never know when it's going to act up and leave my daugther and I stranded along the highway. Pleas help me....... Has this happened to other malibu owners???????
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