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Research · Midsize Cars

1999 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 800 owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (288) and electrical system (142). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
800
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

800 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Apr 2024
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic288
  2. Electrical system142
  3. Engine and engine cooling136
  4. Suspension82
  5. Tires76
  6. Exterior lighting54
  7. Air bags39
  8. Steering37
  9. Equipment31

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
45
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
40
Deaths reported
0
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

288 reports15 crashes
“WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, A LOAD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT REAR CABLE POPPED OUT OF THE PARKING BRAKE EQUALIZER SINCE THE PART WAS RUSTED OUT. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I AM WELL AWARE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS STILL A POPULAR CAR ON THE ROAD TODAY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Parking brakeODI 10450656

Electrical system

142 reports5 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11433541

Engine and engine cooling

136 reports1 crash1 fire
“MY CAR STARTED LEAKING ENGINE COOLER, I HAD IT CHECKED, THEY SAID IT WAS COMING FROM THE OVERFLOW VALVE OR HOSE, AND THAT I MAY HAVE PUT TOO MUCH IN THERE. AND THEN ONE MORNING I GOT UP AND STARTED TO DRIVE, IT CRANKED UP FINE AND THEN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM , SO I TOOK IT BACK HOME. ONE MECHANIC SAID IT MAY BE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD OR A GASKETS, I REALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, BUT I KNOW IT WILL PROBABLY COST A LOT OF MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I PROBABLY WILL TRY TO TRADE IT SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE, I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY KEEPING MY CAR RUNNING, IF YOU CAN MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS , IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10408481
All 1999 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
192823$2,700386
Malibu
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172621$2,950423
  • Malibu
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Malibu
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L
    17 city · 26 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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4011
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

1999 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 800 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (288), electrical system (142), engine and engine cooling (136). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026