1998 Chevrolet Malibu — Known Issues & Recalls

Your car shut off without warning while you were driving at 45 mph. Even though the vehicle was repaired under a recall for electrical system issues (campaign 14V400000), the problem continued to happen on and off after the repair was completed. The manufacturer has been notified. The fix may require a more thorough diagnostic of the electrical system, potentially including replacement of the ignition switch, starter motor, or battery connections.

Your ignition switch isn't turning off properly, and sometimes won't turn to start the car either. You have to wiggle the shift lever to get the key to turn to the off position. The key cylinder is getting stuck in the start position. This may require replacing the ignition switch assembly or having the key cylinder serviced.

Your car's anti-theft system is preventing the engine from starting when you turn the key. The anti-theft warning light comes on, but after waiting about 10 minutes, the car usually starts normally. This problem happens unpredictably and can occur multiple times. The issue may involve replacing or reprogramming the anti-theft system components or the vehicle's security module.

Your car's anti-theft system activated when you tried to start it, preventing the engine from starting. The dealer was unable to identify the root cause of the problem, and the vehicle was never repaired. The issue occurred at approximately 98,000 miles.

Your car stalled without warning while driving at about 45 mph and required several restart attempts to get going again. This stalling happened multiple times, making the vehicle unreliable and potentially unsafe. Your car was covered under a recall for electrical system issues, but the repair couldn't be completed because you didn't have the original key. The electrical system likely needs diagnosis and repair to restore normal operation.

Your ignition switch is loose and wiggles when you try to turn the key. The dealer checked it against a known recall but said your loose switch isn't covered by that recall, which only addresses key modifications. The manufacturer is aware of the issue, but your vehicle wasn't repaired. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the ignition switch assembly.

Your car's ignition key sometimes won't turn smoothly — you have to wiggle it to get it to work. This makes starting your vehicle inconsistent and frustrating. The ignition switch or lock cylinder may need cleaning, lubrication, or replacement to restore normal operation.

Your ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. This is the mechanism where you insert your car key to start the vehicle. The repair has already been completed, and you're seeking reimbursement for the cost. Replacing an ignition lock cylinder typically involves removing the steering column cover and installing a new cylinder assembly.

While driving at 70 mph, your car's anti-theft system unexpectedly activated and caused the engine to shut down completely. You weren't able to restart the vehicle and had to have it towed home. The manufacturer was contacted but couldn't provide assistance, and the issue was never diagnosed or repaired. The problem may involve checking the anti-theft system's wiring, sensors, or the engine's fuel and ignition systems to restore normal operation.

Your ignition key comes out on its own while you're driving, and your airbag warning light flashes on and off. Your engine has also seized. A mechanic found that your fuel pump needs to be replaced, which may be connected to these electrical issues.

Your passenger airbag deployed unexpectedly while driving without any collision or impact, causing a loud explosion and shattering the windshield. The airbag went off for no apparent reason — your daughter wasn't involved in any crash, didn't hit bumps or potholes. This type of sudden airbag failure could be related to a Takata recall and poses a serious safety risk. The repair will likely involve replacing the airbag inflator and possibly the entire airbag assembly.

Your front passenger and driver side airbags deployed suddenly while your car was completely stopped, without any warning or accident. The airbag deployment shattered your front windshield on the passenger side. This happened at about 113,751 miles on your vehicle. The airbags may need to be replaced and the windshield will need to be replaced.

Your steering has excessive play because the factory welds holding the nut on the rack and pinion have failed. If this nut comes loose, you could lose steering control on the driver's side, creating a serious safety hazard even at low speeds. The dealership says they'll repair it if confirmed as a manufacturing defect, but you're having difficulty getting callbacks to schedule service.

While turning your steering wheel, you heard loud clunking and popping sounds, and afterward left turns became very difficult to make with the steering wheel appearing off-center. Upon inspection, you found the rack and pinion mount on the passenger side had broken, likely due to rust or a manufacturing defect. The fix will require replacing the damaged rack and pinion mount assembly.

Your front seat belts may come unbuckled while driving even though they feel securely fastened. The release button can get stuck partially down due to debris like hair or lint, allowing the belt to latch with a click but not actually lock into place — it will slip out if pulled with moderate force. This design flaw means you could be unbelted during a crash without realizing it. A replacement seat belt assembly with an improved buckle mechanism should resolve the issue.

Your car stalled while driving at low speed and was hit on the driver's side by another vehicle. Most of the airbags deployed during the crash, but one airbag failed to deploy, resulting in injuries that required medical treatment. Your vehicle is part of a known electrical system recall that may have contributed to this failure.

Your 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has an open Takata recall that was never completed by the previous owner. You'll need to contact a Chevrolet dealership or authorized service center to have this recall work performed. The dealership can look up your vehicle's recall status and schedule an appointment to complete the necessary repairs at no cost to you.

Your car stalled while driving at low speed, though you were able to restart it. After the stall, your airbag, ABS, and check engine warning lights all came on. The dealer was unable to diagnose or fix the problem, and the stalling happened multiple times. Your car had previously been repaired for an electrical system issue under a recall.

You've had your vehicle's keys retrofitted with inserts at a Chevrolet dealer years ago to address a recall, but the dealer's records don't reflect that the work was completed. Despite six attempts to get the recall marked as finished and being told the issue was a VIN entry error that would be corrected, the problem persists in the system. You're requesting NHTSA's help to resolve this documentation issue without returning to the dealer again. Resolving this will likely require NHTSA to contact the dealer or manufacturer to correct the recall completion records.

You had a recall completed in October 2014 where spacers were added to your ignition keys to fix an electrical system issue. However, GM's system still shows the recall as incomplete even though the dealer has confirmed the work was done and you've been contacted multiple times about it. The dealership says they'll resolve the records issue so you won't be contacted again. This may require the dealer to manually update GM's recall database with proof that your repair was completed.