Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

1998 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 999 owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (339) and engine and engine cooling (139). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
999
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

999 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1998 – Jun 2023
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic339
  2. Engine and engine cooling139
  3. Electrical system132
  4. Suspension104
  5. Steering78
  6. Exterior lighting76
  7. Visibility63
  8. Tires62
  9. Power train48

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997452
1998999
1999800
2000944
2001739
2002596
2003611
20041,698
20051,393
20061,387
2007992
20081,017
20091,511
20101,365
2011978
2012907
2013924
2014363
2015270
2016865
2017727
2018700
2019193
2020200
202190
202299
202373
202444
202512
Crashes reported
39
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

339 reports8 crashes
“1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS SPONGY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WORKED ERRATICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE BLOWER SPEED AND WOULD SOMETIMES QUIT BLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD START TO BLOW WARM AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, TO THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, A FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2014Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, gasoline, EquipmentODI 10639977

Engine and engine cooling

139 reports1 fire
“I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM BILL HEARD IN PLANT CITY BEFORE THEY CLOSED DOWN,FROM DAY 1 I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IGNITION NOT STARTING AND THE ANTI THEFT,I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIME S CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THEM TWICE AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH AT TIMES THERE IS THEN THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN JUST LET THE CAR SET FOR 10MINS AND IT WILL BE OK, WELL IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE,THEN AFTER ALMOST FLIPPING THE CAR I FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE TOTALLY SHOT AND WHEN I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES ONE CAUGHT BEFORE THE OTHER CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO A SKID,THEN THE IGNITION AND THE ANTI THEFT ACT UP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE HORN IS STUCK SO I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE HORN TESTED THE RELAY AND IT WAS FINE THE SWITCH IS STUCK SOMEWHERE AND KNOW ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE,SO NOW I HAVE A USED CERTIFIED USED CAR WITH NO HORN AND WORN OUT ROTORS FAULTY IGNITION AND OH I FORGOT THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN I WILL GET SHOCKED GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND A BROKE MOTOR MOUNT THAT I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FIX OWN MY OWN DUE TO IT WAS AWARE AND TEAR APART THAT THEY WON'T COVER,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2009Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10270034

Electrical system

132 reports5 crashes4 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2019Electrical system, EngineODI 11171731
All 1998 Malibu problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.1L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203024$2,600370
Malibu
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$2,950423
  • Malibu
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Malibu
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3918
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 999 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (339), engine and engine cooling (139), electrical system (132). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026