1999 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 789 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 789 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2021
“Started my drive to work in the took a left turn, then applied brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Thankfully I was still going slow and didn't panic, put the car in neutral and slowly applied the parking brake. Parked the car and opened door and looked under car. Could see brake fluid near rear left tire. Applied brake again and could see brake fluid streaming from the metal brake line. Clearly a failure of the brake line. Corrosion caused the unsafe condition. Do not have pictures but I will be taking some as soon as I can get the car on a lift.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“I located a recall that my car has not been fixed and took it to the gmc dealer in laramie why where my car sat for 2 weeks and endless calls no call back for the ignition recall and other issues that my car had I have emailed and called and all I have gotten was a bill for non sence and headacks and nothing has been fixed on the car and I have lost money and time because they wouldnt fix the recall or even knolaage the problem. Just un professional and un reasonable people that again would not even take the time to talk to me about the recall just let me loose my job... Again the auto place is gmc laramie and the rep that would not give me the time about my car is rich!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Blower motor does not work at any speed,no fuses or relay are bad or blown.no power at relay by blower or blower itself.it worked friday,saturday when started did not work.also when turning left some dumb bell sounds.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
“Takata recall: my sons antitheft constantly turns on causing the car not to start or shut off and disables his keyless remotes which than need to be reprogrammed. After searching online I was able to find a way to get it started due to many people having the same issue had some tricks. My son is in college and has been stranded many times due to this malfunction. He's had 2 accidents where the car won't fully stop causing him to hit a car. His ac light constantly shuts off making the ac not work proper. This is the worse car!”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a manufacturer recall repair remedy for the key switch. The contact was not experiencing a failure prior to the repair. After the repair, the anti-theft warning light illuminated and the vehicle was unable to start randomly. The contact was unable to determine if the dealer would repair the vehicle or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy for the condition. The approximate failure mileage was 7,135.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“Vehicle was unable to pass inspection due to tire (tread) separation on all 4 bridgestone potenza 's inspector pointed out that all 4 tires were cracked throughout the entire circumference on all 4 tires and dangerous/hazardous to drive on. Had to purchase new tires in order to pass inspection... Have taken photos of all the tires... Tires were purchased in oct, 2010 and replaced in nov, 2015 -- tire had a total of 24,183 miles on it... And still has plenty of tread left.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. While in park, the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the pass lock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,249.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The anti-theft warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2015
“I was getting out of my car and I left it running and the air bag deployed and I didn't hit anything I was wondering if there was any recall on this particular model”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 44 of these complaints and injuries in 40 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
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.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 789 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.