1998 Chevrolet Malibu from North America - Comments

Hi Folks, I own a 98 Malibu and have been through just about all the problems listed. It has 80,000 miles now, but the problems started at 36,000 miles just after warranty.

I have answers now to a lot of the problems I have been through, hope this helps someone. Air conditioner cuts on and off, the repair shop replaced the control knob console inside and said this was common. Intake manifold leaking and water pump, I used some of that 99cent tube of radiation clog repair it's been 30,000 miles and haven't had leak since. Squealing sound around 60mph, had windshield replaced that used a different type of rubber trim. Tail light burn out, circuit board that bulbs plug into melt dealer said it is common. My brakes went out, found ABS controller that all the brake lines go into right under battery tray drain, I had a battery that leaked acid and dripped right on the controller eating out part of the housing, repaired by cleaning up and putting in an over sized O-ring. Car shuts down or won't crank and theft light is on, Key cylinder bad, Cut small Black and Yellow wire coming from Ignition switch and measured the resister value, then soldered resistor across both wired going into Passlock computer disabling theft system, search google for Passlock bypass instruction. More GM quality, wheel bearings going bad, gas tank leaks, struts, no dipstick to check Trans fluid, gauges go haywire, undue motor mount to change belt, starter replaced, And Oh those brakes etc etc.

1998 Malibu 4 cyl., 38,000 miles, bought new in May 1998.

So far I have experienced the following with this car:

* Brakes problems (replaced rotor and pads)

* Poor build quality (squeaks, wind noise)

* Fuel Pump (replaced at $750 by dealer)

* A/C (cuts off intermittently for no apparent reason)

* Alternator (replaced)

THIS CAR IS A POORLY ENGINEERED, POORLY DESIGNED PIECE OF JUNK. I THOUGHT AMERICA COULD DO BETTER THAN THIS - I AM DEFINITELY GOING BACK TO AN IMPORT NEXT TIME.

I too own a 1998 Malibu - Mine has 125K on it. This is what I've replaced and have had problems with.

1st when I bought it -

I had the cruise control worked on 4 or 5 times - they finally got it to work.

I've replaced brakes and rotors 4 times.

I've replaced the alternator 2x's

New air conditioning compressor ($1000)

Rear defogger replaced

Various electrical switches that operated air, heat, etc.

2 batteries

Headlights, taillights

belts, hoses

Power steering housing

EGC Sensor (that's an expensive one)

Coil (also very expensive)

Today was the best though - I was driving and my gas pedal cable broke. This is only going to set me back $300+

I'm sure I'm forgetting other things that I've had repaired, but they are too numerous to mention.

Expensive parts, but cheaply made car.

I am selling it and buying a Nissan or Toyota!

I too own a chevy malibu. my biggest complaint is the brakes. they squeak, grind, shake the car when coming to a stop after being at a speed greater than 55. my ABS light comes on just when I am sitting idle, or sometimes when I am driving? I thought I needed my brakes repaired, but the mechanic said no, that is just how they are. now my battery light is on. this is a very nice car to look at, but some of the complaints are all the same, why are there no recalls concerning these complaints. what can we do, who do we petition for a recall, because if my brakes go out and I or my loved ones get hurt, will this move gm to recall, the cheaply made car, they put on the road. shame on you gm, if your attitude is "it's not our problem, it is yours"! this attitude will only last so long, your giving "american made" a very bad rep... and I thought ford had the market on that!

My comment as an owner of an 1998 Chevy Malibu is definitely the same as all the above. I cannot count as many times I have changed the brakes and rotors. My ABS light is on continuously, which I know is dangerous in any slippery weather. I have had it with this piece of junk. I have experienced many other problems, too many to list. Now, I thought my fuel pump was out after it stalled and I could not here it when I tried to start it again. After parking it for a week and frustration set in and until I could afford one, I jumped in the car and the pile of junk started, it ran me 5 miles and I shut it off and it never stated again. Now what? the fuel filter, cause it seems its not getting no gas? changed that and it still does not start. Added gas and Heat, still not firing up. Maybe I should start the whole thing on fire! Never will buy a gm again. Its nothing, but trouble, trouble, trouble. I feel sorry for anyone that owns or purchases one.

I am a very mad owner of a 1998 Chevy Malibu. Since I bought the car in December of 2004 I have had to put well over $1000.00 into it. If anyone is thinking of purchasing one please RECONSIDER your thoughts. Yeah, this is a nice car on the outside, but when it comes to the engine it is JUNK!!! I am in the process of getting new struts. I have already got new brakes and rotors. Oh this one is great-- the check-engine light came on so I went and had it checked out I was told it was the heat circuit sensor-replaced that- then it came on again went and had it checked out again-this time it was the oxygen sensor. The sensors in this car are so expensive and not heavy duty or dependable at all. When you get up to 60mph the car shakes unbelievably bad. The switches for the ac doesn't work on settings 1 and 2 but works on OFF. The air condenser had to be replaced (that's $300.00 right there.) The ABS light never shuts off. The glove box rattles ridiculously. I REGRET EVER BUYING THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR!!! I'll know next time to get a Nissan.

I am also an owner of a 1998 Chevy Malibu. I also have experienced problems with my check engine light and ABS light, I took it back to the dealer and they reset them, but was told that I need a new oxygen sensor. Now, the only thing that really puzzles me is that there is no dipstick for the transmission fluid so I don't know how to determine if it is low and when to refill the fluid because now I am experiencing problems when I try to reverse or drives it hesitates before moving. Can anyone tell me where the transmission fluid goes?

Hi, I have a 98 Bu and it was fine for a while, I purchased it at 85,000, it is now at 86,700. The check engine light came on, and it idles fine, everything works, it just won't let me accelerate over 20 mph. It starts to make a low pitched whining noise. HELP? I have not had any of these other problems, the lower intake manifold gasket was replaced by the previous owner.

Wow. I'm not the only one. Everyone I know that has had a Malibu has loved it. I liked mine at first and I've only had it for about 10 months I guess. I was worried sick when the ABS light came on. Then I thought my transmission was going out because the car started shaking or kind of shuttering. It also won't shift into gear. It does, but it takes a minute. I'm scared I won't be able to sell it. I'd almost hate to put any one else behind the wheel. I read somewhere that a person had problems with a brownish cola looking substance appearing on the ceiling... Mine too! I thought something bad had happened in my car. I bought it at an auction so there is no warranty and besides that there are WAY too many miles on it. Seemed like a good idea at the time. We've owned Chevy's and other GM's before and never had problems. I don't know what it is about this particular model. Hopefully something good will come out of this.

I have a 1997 Malibu and every since I got it I have had problems. The alternator, the pulley, intake manifold, oil pump and starter all went out within two years. I had to refinance to have my engine replaced because I couldn't afford to get a new car. And now, it has a whining noise while driving and it skips like it is loosing power. Could someone tell me if this is my transmission? I've taken it to get checked twice and was told they can't find anything. Help!!!

I bought my '98 Malibu in June of 2000 with 68,000 miles on it. I just sold it last week after reaching a grand total of 202,255 miles in just 6 years. I drove around the United States three times in this car. After about 150,000 miles the trunk began leaking, the transmission had to be replaced, and the horn malfunctioned and was reduced to a light squeak. It also had a leak in the coolant system, which was temporarily fixed after adding some stop-leak about once a year. The passenger door handles in the front and back seat broke off (actually I think the bolt came off and fell out inside the door) and the numbers 1 and 2 setting on the AC/heater fan never worked.

Not long before I reached 200,000 miles the second transmission began slipping severely and I decided it was time for something new. I always averaged about 27 mpg, however my speedometer was too fast by about 3 miles (I measured this with my GPS). I changed my oil just about every 3,000 miles and had my rotors replaced a few times. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a long lasting, reliable car, but not for someone who hates not being able to check their transmission fluid (because you can't).

Overall, this was a GREAT car for the mileage I got out of it.

I too own a 1998 Chevy Malibu. It is a dangerous car. Bought it brand new in 1998. In 2000 it started stalling and hesitating. Still under warranty, it went back to the dealer. 6 trips later and after being sent to one of their sister dealerships, it was determined to be the "fuel sock". Replaced and ran fine for a while. Now it just arbitrarily cuts out or hesitates even worse than before. Dealer "can't duplicate" (love that phrase) the problem. Heat/AC switch only works on 3 or above. Replaced the HVAC blower motor resistor, works now. Glove box rattles incessantly. Noise from the front end can't be identified.

I too own a chevy 98 malibu... the worse thing I could have ever purchased... all of the above brakes... and pads...transmission is also going out... i wanna cry..

I bought a 98 Chevy Malibu a year ago from my mom's best friend. It only had 90,000 miles on it, and at the time there were no real problems with it.

Then the brakes needed replacing, then the transmission needed flushing, then things needed to be replaced and sometimes the car won't down shift if the engine is too cold. You should have seen me at a stop light - I had to practically floor it to get it to move in second or third gear, or whatever gear it was in.

Now, less than a year later, the brakes are making the most odd noise and probably will need to be replaced again. I'm very ticked off, but everything else about the car is great!

My Malibu has had most of the problems listed above. My brake lights stop working at random and I am in constant fear of being ticketed for what cops will percieved as me just not changing the bulbs. My passlock system screws up constantly- today it happened at every single stop I made!

For those of you who have complained about your car stuttering while you drive- It's your catalytic converter. Get it fixed before you break down like I did. It'll cost you about a grand.

The Chevy Malibu is money-pit on wheels. Crappy wheels.