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1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu is brakes, typically around 42,708 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Malibu model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
785
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
132
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
21-23mpg

The worst 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

ABS 42Coil spring 32Stalling 32Overheating 31Grinding brakes 30Premature wear 26Brake failure 20Won't start 19Tire blowout 18Engine failure 13No deployment 12Fuel gauge 10Ball joint 9Loss of power 9Power steering loss 8Steering lock-up 8Check engine light 7Fuel pump 7Harsh shifting 7Jerking 7Knocking 6Fire or smoke 6Headlights 6

Recalls 1

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

Defect investigations

Turn signal failuresOpened June 18, 2004, closed November 30, 2004

Gm conducted a recall (the federal safety agency recall number 03v327) on model year (my) 2000-2001 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles to replace defective hazard switches that cause the turn signals and hazard lights to fail.the recall covered vehicles built from february 2000 through may 2001 (depending on model).odi opened this investigation based on 64 reports alleging turn signal failure on my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under the recall and built prior to february 2000.in december 2004, gm will issue a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03v327.the policy covers turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch.gm will send letters to owners starting december 30, 2004.the actions taken by the manufacturer is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.

RQ04005

Front suspension coil spring fractureOpened November 4, 2003, closed October 19, 2004

The failure rate of the subject vehicles is low relative to past odi investigations.the engineering analysis is therefore closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.please see the attached report for additional details.

EA03021

Front suspension coil spring fractureOpened July 14, 2003, closed November 4, 2003

The subject vehicles are equipped with a coil spring-over-strut front suspension with the spring itself resting in compression between two polymer isolators.pe03-031 was opened to investigate reports of fracture of this spring.the fractures occur in the first active coil above the lower isolator and apparently originate in corrosion pits found beneath regions of damaged epoxy coating.consumer complaints and warranty data show that the failures occur predominantly in the ?corrosion states? And tend to appear outside of the standard 36,000 mile warranty term.these data also suggest that these failures will continue to happen.slightly more than one third of the consumer complaints have involved the broken spring coil contacting the adjacent tire.odi is upgrading pe03-031 to an engineering analysis to gather further information concerning the scope and consequences of these failures.

PE03031

Engine coolant boils overOpened September 3, 2002, closed September 24, 2002

There is no summary currently available

DP02008

Stop lamp assembly overheatOpened March 27, 2000, closed August 9, 2001

There is no summary currently available

EA00010

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu 132

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 132 bulletins for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

1999 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD192823
3.1L 6‑cylFWD172621

What 1999 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Fuel system, Suspension · TX

Yes it was on and off kept having computer issues and other issues

Filed Sep 19, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · NC

My 1999 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6 engine won,t turn on the engine whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the fuel pressure regulator won,t work whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the airbag srs system comes on in the spring time and in the hot summer time heat and in the winner time.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · CT · crash · 2 injuries

Takara recall ..front and passenger airbags did not deploy in accident. I was stopped in traffic when a car struck me from behind going highway speed , impact caused the car to get stuck in my trunk pushed me down the highway sideways and stuffed the nose of my car into the guardrail breaking the guardrail , quick thinking saved our lives ( my husband was in the passenger seat )I saw the car coming full highway speed and nosed my car into the breakdown lane to avoid getting stuffed under the truck infront of me. The car was a complete loss, I ended up with a concussion, torn rotator cuff, fractures in my right arm and right knee, chronic headaches, and paranoia of driving.. Luckily no one was in the backseat because the rear seat broke from impact with the spare tire.

Filed May 13, 2019 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · MN

Started my drive to work in the took a left turn, then applied brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Thankfully I was still going slow and didn't panic, put the car in neutral and slowly applied the parking brake. Parked the car and opened door and looked under car. Could see brake fluid near rear left tire. Applied brake again and could see brake fluid streaming from the metal brake line. Clearly a failure of the brake line. Corrosion caused the unsafe condition. Do not have pictures but I will be taking some as soon as I can get the car on a lift.

Filed Jan 25, 2018 · Electrical · WY

I located a recall that my car has not been fixed and took it to the gmc dealer in laramie why where my car sat for 2 weeks and endless calls no call back for the ignition recall and other issues that my car had I have emailed and called and all I have gotten was a bill for non sence and headacks and nothing has been fixed on the car and I have lost money and time because they wouldnt fix the recall or even knolaage the problem. Just un professional and un reasonable people that again would not even take the time to talk to me about the recall just let me loose my job... Again the auto place is gmc laramie and the rep that would not give me the time about my car is rich!

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · AR

Ignition switch and pass lock sensor causing vehicle to not start and/or randomly shutting off while driving.

Filed Oct 25, 2017 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

While driving my airbags blew up and I crashed resulting in my back and both legs being broken

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Electrical · 132,000 miles · IL

Your car like all newer cars are junk. Read claim 10926267.

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Electrical · 132,000 miles · IL

Blower motor does not work at any speed,no fuses or relay are bad or blown.no power at relay by blower or blower itself.it worked friday,saturday when started did not work.also when turning left some dumb bell sounds.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Airbags · 44,000 miles · FL

I was getting out of my car and I left it running and the air bag deployed and I didn't hit anything I was wondering if there was any recall on this particular model

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Compare the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

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Other model years

19971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owners have filed 785 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, close to a typical Malibu model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?

Brakes, with 307 complaints, typically around 42,708 miles. Next is electrical (144).

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (376 complaints), 1999 (307 complaints) and 2000 (250 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 28 highway.

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