I just bought this car 2 weeks ago. Had to replace the windshield wiper pump. There are at least 10 TSBs on the vehicle I'm on disability I can't afford to fix all that. The rear hub bearing was barely making noise when I bought it. Now tire feels like it's going to fall off. I believe there's a TSB on when you put the car in park and shut it off then it's not going in to gear even though it said it's into gear so I have to get that fixed as well. Can't Chevy fix thermostats just like I have to fix my mistakes in life.
Chevrolet Malibu wipers problems
159 of the 19,367 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 159
- worst model year
- 1998
- typical repair cost reported
- $380
- typical mileage
- 81,875
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Headlights 9Won't start 6Ball joint 6Transmission failure 5Adaptive cruise 5Loss of power 4Check engine light 4ABS 4
What owners say
Came back from running an errand and when I went to go back out to the car to start it to run another errand it wouldn't turn over. The lights and alarm, the radio wipers a/c everything else would come on but it just wouldn't turn over! And I need my vehicle I have upcoming appointments and it's the only thing I have to get around. I've been without a vehicle for almost three weeks now. I need help, I'm low income and I need help getting it back on the road.
Sudden and complete loss of windshield wipers while on the interstate in a intense rain storm. Driving the vehicle became impossible and stopping on the shoulder was dangerous because other drivers were dealing with poor vision because of the intense rain and came close to hitting me several times. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. My research found that this is not an isolated problem as multiple years and models (vans as well cars) are affected. The cause of the failure was caused by failure of the windshield wiper transmission, linkage and bushing that a part of or attached thereto.
Just Replaced Fuel Pump, Passenger Headlight Randomly Goes Out, Top Break Light Randomly Goes Out, Had To Replace Wiper Motor, & Fuel Pump Relay Wire Faulty. Wiring To Fuse Boxes Seem To Be Loose. Dealership or Any Other Certified Tech Will Listen or Touch To Fix The Car When Everything Is Working.
Just bought the car and it started acting funny. The windshield wipers haven't worked almost the whole time we've had the car. We have attempted to fix them and we think the problem is fixed all for them to stop working again. So needless to say we either can't drive while it's raining or we attempt to risk ours and others lives by driving with no windshield wipers at all. Now the temperature gauge, and ac are randomly deciding to stop working. Plus the check engine light would randomly come on and off. Found that there was a recall out for these exact problems. So we took it to the dealership and they told us there's nothing they can do the recall has expired almost 3 years ago. Now we just bought the car and all this stuff started and now we're being told it's pretty much our problem because the last owner didn't stay up to date on the car and it's recalls. so I'm trying to figure out how we can still get this fixed specially since we have kids and even grandkids that ride in this car. But now as of these last few days we haven't been able to drive it at all. So we're trying to figure out how we can get the problem that is now ours and shouldn't be fixed.
The main concer I have is (1)while driving and car in motion on a city street, the car accerlerated on it's own. Almost caused an accident. This has happen several more times since. (2)the car begins to slow down. I cannot drive more the 10 mile per hour, the RPM gage goes high but the car does not. (3)also, the car ABS light comes on with normal driving in the city, unknown cause. (4)the car seems to have electrical issues, I've changed head lights twice, horn fuses blown multiple times, the air conditioner has gone off 3x now, and on the heat/air control panel makes a clockng noise, even if I want to use the wipers.
Shift to park failure at 40,000 miles.. March 6, 2018 diagnosed as shifter assembly failure..in park.. Alert on dashboard "shift to park"..if alert on dashboard, and radio and or wipers on.. They stay on with car off. Reoccured at additional 50, 000 miles. On march 19, 2021 .corporate chevrolet aware..issued repair bulletin #18-na-297, which was revised to 19-na-206..malibu owers forum report issue with year 2016-2019.. Also with other models..dangerous...exhausts battery..not sure if car in park or not ? Roll risk..chevrolet refuses to fix as no recall exists..I believe with frequent. Issue needs to be addressed and parts recalled..I have grand children in my vehicle and am concerned for their safety.
Has a problem with cold start needs a jump alot, service ESC comes on with lose of traction and power steering, sensor in wheels go out often wheels sound weird when turning, headlight goes out often windshield wipers are out ,gearshift linkage has broken while trying to shift gears problem occurs both non-stationary
Over the last 6 months we have had to replace the battery on two occasions. Each time the entire charging system was checked with no faults identified. Recently, last 3 months, on multiple occasions vehicle will stall while in motion. This has occurred at various speeds from accelerating from a stop to at highway speeds. When vehicle stalls ability to control the vehicle is dramatically reduced; especially hazardous when in heavy traffic. On other occasions all accessories AC, radio, wiper blades, etc will all turn off and not restart until the engine is turned off and restarted. Another frequently reoccurring issue is the sound you normally hear when a turn signal is engaged will stop - this usually precedes the engine stalling. On most of these occasions the engine will restart - twice it required a jump start. On numerous occasions we receive various fault lights/messages that too were unfounded. Most frequent referencing the stability tracking. Restart the engine and fault is cleared only to return at later time. All of these issues are extremely hazardous and places my family and I in danger each time we operate the vehicle. Although there are numerous write ups detailing this systemic problem with multiple years of the chevy malibu gmc and chevy will not acknowledge the problems and continue to levy charges and collect monies from owners for what probably should result in a recall in order to affect requisite repairs.
Was driving during a rain storm with my windshield wipers activated on the highway and the wipers abruptly stopped working. Dangerous situation to say the least. Can it get them to work again.
Related recalls
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
- Risk
- The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Recall number 15V164000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
- Risk
- The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Recall number 13V567000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 77 my 2009 chevrolet malibu hybrid vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging system." the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system may become inoperative. If this were to occur, the blower would not function properly and the mode selector would remain in the last known setting.
- Risk
- If the windshield began to fog or frost, there may not be enough airflow to clear the windshield, resulting in reduced driver visibility and a possible crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the HVAC control head module. The recall is expected to begin on december 17, 2008. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V634000 · Recall details
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 Chevrolet Malibu wipers
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (40 complaints), 1997 (27 complaints) and 2012 (19 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix windshield wiper failure on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $380 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history