Daughter was driving the car in a downpour and the passenger side windshield wiper linkage broke causing the wipers to fly across the driver side of the car. They stopped working causing her to have to get off the road because she could not see.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu: windshield wiper failure
40 of the 975 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu describe windshield wiper failure.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 6 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Windshield wiper failure by model year
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the windshield wipers on the vehicle stopped working during a rain storm. The contact observed that the linkage on the motor for both windshield wipers were broken. The contact was unable to purchase the part from the dealer and is concerned that it will only be available at a salvage facility. The federal safety agency recall campaign 01v068000, visibility, windshield wiper/washer, linkages was directly related to in the "salt belt" states due to a buildup of snow, ice, and corrosion. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The passenger-side pivot housing has cracked, and the windshield wipers will not operate. He contacted the dealer and manufacturer in reference to recall # 01v068000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). Upon contact he was advised that his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, so he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 96000. Updated 1/14/10 *cn the consumer stated the problem was resolved. Updated 01/15/10.
The wife started the car and it had some light frost on the windshield she let the car warm up for about 10 minutes when she came back out the frost had turned to water so she turned on the wipers and they just went nuts the right wiper went over top of the left one so she had to get out and physically push them down she then continued with her day when I came home from work she told me about it so I went out to see and found that the windshield wiper transmission arms were broken at one end on the right hand side so I then took them out to replace them and when I looked them up on the internet and found there was a recall on record, so I am going to contact the 1‑800‑222‑1020 and see just what I can have done.
Driving to work in heavy rain on a busy street and the windshield wiper on the right collided with the left and they just stopped working causing me to almost crash into the car infront of me. Had to pull over because there was no visibility and had to wait an hour until the rain stopped. The pivot housing as the dealer called it is cracked and the wipers will not operate because of the design.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. While driving in a rainstorm, the contact activated the windshield wipers and they began to cross over each other. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the passenger side wiper blade was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v068000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). The vehicle has not been serviced by the dealer. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
While driving during ice storms in january 2007 the windshield wipers quit working due to a broken pivot housing on the passenger's side. The same defect was covered in the federal safety agency recall campaign 01v068000. However, because I lived outside the salt belt,chevrolet will not cover the repair of this manufacturer's defect. I am fearful, but forced to, drive in rain storms without working windshield wipers. The manufacturer has been completely arrogant about helping in this situation for the last 5 months.
1998 chevrolet malibu windshield wiper motor blew up.*mr the consumer request reimbursement for the replacement of the motor.
The windshield wipers suddenly failed while driving in the storm. The consumer would like to know if there was a recall on a 1998 chevy malibu. *bf responded to previously via e-mail refer to odi#10093392.
While driving 25 MPH, in inclement weather the passenger side windshield wiper failed. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the passenger side windshield wiper pivot housing was broken and needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.
(1) I was driving home on I-75 an hour north of atlanta after labor day weekend. While doing 70-75 MPH in heavy rains and winds from the leading edge of hurricane frances, my windshield wipers suddenly failed leaving windshield awash in rain and visibility less than 6 feet. The passenger side winsheild wiper arm snapped first in the vertial position, then the driver side windshield wiper arm ran over top of it breaking it too. Trecherous driving conditions were endured in attempting to get off interstate. I was left to drive with nearly no visibility through hurricane frances for 3 more hours until I made it far enough to get out of the storm. 3) when back home in louisville, I took the car to service center to get estimate and fixed since it was predicted to rain soon. The failure was diagnosed to the windshield wiper linkages breaking. I have been in contact with gm customer assistance center to try to get gm to cover the cost of the repairs. *ak I searched safety recall database here and came accross open investigation for this part that failed. Therefore I decided to make a complaint also. Rq04006. This part was recalled in 2001 but only in 28 northern states.
Recall 01v068000 concerning windshield wiper arm. When driving in inclement weather windshield wipers would stop operating or the windshield wiper would lock up in a down position. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under that recall due to VIN.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Parts availability for sunroof repairs
- All gmc dealers please disregard administrative message WIA20010111 transmitted 8/7/2001
- Information on replacing sunroof sunshade stops
- Some customers may comment that the black plastic housing around the outside rear view mirror turns chalky...
- Customer may complain that the chime sounds when key is removed from ignition, intermittent operation of...
- Concerns regarding the passenger front floor carpet being wet or water leaking from the bottom of the...
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. If a buildup of snow or ice restricts the movement of the passenger side windshield wiper arm, the pivot housing can crack and the wipers will not operate.
- Risk
- Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger side windshield wiper pivot housing. Owner notification began august 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V068000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu wipers
Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
40 of 975 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu (4%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 6 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 50Grinding 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 7Pulling 7Fire or smoke 6Airbag light 5Slipping 5Steering noise 5Water leak 5
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