Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 975 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V400000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V527000 GM/STEERING GEAR BEARINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V068000 GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 335 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 138 complaints
- Electrical System 127 complaints
- Suspension 103 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 76 complaints
- Steering 73 complaints
Of the 975 complaints on file, 34 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 975 complaints, owners report 24 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,000–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has a below-average reliability rating. With five recalls and 975 complaints, the most prevalent issues involve the service brakes, engine cooling, and the electrical system. Due to frequent brake and engine problems, combined with significant recall history, ownership could entail unexpected repairs. Additional concerns are raised by steering and suspension complaints, although data about failure mileages and repair costs is limited.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| service brakes | Unknown | $300–$800 | common |
| engine cooling | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $200–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and balance
- Belt and hose inspection
- Battery testing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Spongy brake pedal
- Engine overheating
- Electrical malfunctions
- Steering wheel play
- Suspension noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.