Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 030730021 | 05/01/2003 | 10002392 | Neutral flare and/or rpm flare while in drive, no 1-2 upshift, service engine soon (ses) light illuminated, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1810, diagnostic trouble code p1815 set. *tt | 08/27/2003 | |
| 020730050 | 12/01/2002 | 10000759 | Engineering changes to the valve body, pressure regulator valve, 2-3 accumulator valve and bore for 2002-2003 model year 4t45e transaxles and subsequent overhaul procedures which affect 1995-2001 model year transaxles. *tt | 03/28/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 070730025 | 10/01/2007 | 10023942 | Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body reconditioning, dtc p0741, p0742, p0751, p0752, p0756, p0757, p1811, harsh shifts, slips, no drive, no reverse. *nj | 02/20/2008 | |
| 030730021A | 11/01/2003 | 030730021 | 10005579 | Neutral flare and/or rpm flare while in drive, no 1-2 upshift, service engine soon (ses) light illuminated, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1810, diagnostic trouble code p1815 set. *tt | 03/04/2004 |
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 010303 | 01/03/2003 | 10002587 | Information used when servicing the drive axle nut. *tt | 09/05/2003 | |
| 98877159 | 02/01/1998 | 600285 | Vehicles with hydra-matic 4t40-e transaxle and 3.1l engines may experience a vibration phenomenon that can be described as tcc shudder/vibration/chuggle/surge/miss or fish bite. *tt | 05/05/1998 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 09/05/2010 | |||
| I was on interstate 95 going home when the steering wheel suddenly locked up on me and i started losing horsepower until i completely stopped!. so there i was in the middle lane stopped!, with cars swerving around me at high speeds!... not to mention the cars stopped behind me trying to get around!. i thought i would be badly rear ended for sure!!. luckily, a tow truck happened to be passing...and stopped to help. someone could of been killed!!!!!. and from all the testimonials i've heard...i think general motors should mail everyone who owns a chevy malibu a big fat check!. | |||
| 09/07/2004 | 87000 | 1 | 08/02/1998 |
| While my husband was driving my 1998 chevrolet malibu which has approximately 87,000 miles on it, he heard an unusual noise that indicated something was wrong with the engine. the car immediately lost power while moving at a speed of approximately 40 mph. there was a lot of rattling and vibrations. upon having the car towed to a garage for a diagnostic test, he was informed that the car had to have a new engine. the engine repair company states that the harmonic balancer failed which in turned messed up the internal workings of the engine. this will cost us approximately $3600 dollars to replace the engine. *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| The vehicle vibrated all the time. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the motor mounts and the transmission mounts. the wheel bearings needed to be replaced, but the parts were on back order. *jb | |||
| 10/01/1997 | |||
| When i am driving the car, all the lights on the dash(panel) light up and the speedometer starts going crazy. one minute it shows that i am traveling 10 miles an hours then in a split second it shows that i am going 110 miles an hour. all the other gauges start going back and forth as well. i have no idea how fast i am going or if my car is about to just quit completely. when i first brought my car, about a year later or so (and i am just estimating) the dash board started acting crazy but i just blue it off. then i was traveling to dallas to look for a place to live and the lights all come on and the speed went crazy then the car started to die. i made it to the dealership before it died. they stated it was the altnerator, that was replaced. it worked fine for a while then it happened again. i took it to the dealership in san angelo and they said there was an electrical short. that was fixed and it didn't happen for a while then it happened again yesterday (10/3/99). i am a single parent and i travel a lot back and forth from dallas to san angelo. i am absolutely a neverous wreck when driving my car. i never know when it's going to act up and leave my daugther and i stranded along the highway. pleas help me....... has this happened to other malibu owners??????? | |||
| 09/12/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Odometer jumped 1,000 miles to bring mileage from 34527 to 35587 in one day. only drove car 150 miles max that day. | |||
| 04/01/1998 | |||
| My odometer does not read the miles correctly. it is digital and i do not want to bring to the dealer without first reaserching if this could be a fraud case | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 01/03/2003 | 60000 | 20 | 09/15/1998 |
| Car would be running stepped on gas and wouldn't move, had it back when it was new, but wouldn't happen when bonner chevrolet in kingston, pa mechanics would test drive it. vehicle continued until i couldn't get it out of park, then i had to have the transmission replaced 2003. itwas a 1998 ls chevy malibu fully loaded, bought new. my son had the same car and it had done the same.*ak | |||
| 05/15/2007 | 49997 | 2 | 08/08/1998 |
| My car is a 1998 malibu ls. it has 49,500 original miles on it. in 2006 i had problems with the transmission, it didn't want to switch gears right away. i took it to our gm dealer as i had a warranty. they put it on a computer, couldn't find anything, they stated it was doing the things i said, but thought it was just a glich and would go away. 5-17-07, something finally happened to the transmission,the car didn't want to go anywhere. i coasted my car to the gm dealer and told them what happened. they called and stated they opened the transmission and found it was a stuck body valve. i told them to fix it as it was still under warranty. they already had the transmission opened up, they called me back and said the warranty company said my warranty had expired 1-14-07. can't be, i had till august. i called the warranty company. i bought my car 8-8-98, i purchased the extended warranty (5 years) i had till 8-8-93. in january of 93, i got calls from mvp (motor vehicle protection corp) telling me that i should start thinking about a new warranty as mine was to expire that year. i told them i was okay till august. a gal named abbey told me that i could sign up for the warranty and they would note my account, put on hold till august when my warranty with gmac ran out. i now could make payments on the new warranty, it would be paid for by august. i agreed. now this company is denying me coverage for the repairs to my car. they state the warranty expired 4 years from the day i made my first payment to the warranty company. that was not what abbey told me. she said that it would not go into effect until my gmac warranty was done. now i have to pay $1,300 for an rem valve that went bad in my transmission plus labor. i feel i have been taken by the dealership and warranty company and no one will help me. i've tried talking to the dealership they say there is nothing they can do, i have to pay it. the warranty company is rude to me & i feel this is fraud. | |||
| 05/19/2004 | 60000 | 1 | 05/16/2003 |
| Automatic transmission slipping at 80,000 miles. *ak | |||
| 03/23/2004 | 1 | ||
| While making a left turn the vehicle stalled. consumer restarted the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak | |||
| 03/02/2004 | 40000 | 3 | 01/01/1998 |
| Automatic transmission, power steering, and a/c controls. *ak | |||
| 01/12/2003 | 100000 | 1 | |
| The consumer purchased the vehicle without a dip stick, therefore the mechanic had no idea where to pour the transmission fluid. *jb | |||
| 11/21/2002 | 1 | 08/01/2098 | |
| I purchased new 98 malibu and traded back in w/in one month for another because of severe mechanical problems. this automobile was in for service on 11/23/01 for transmission leak and all gaskets & seals replaced. i had in for service on 8/5/02 for $1146 worth of work on various parts. i reported that vehicle lost power on highway but fuel pump was replaced for that problem. i pointed out that i thought car had transmission problem at that time and was told that car did not have history of transmission problems even though auto had all transmission seals replaced in 2001 by dealership. all work was done by dealership that auto (#2) was purchased from. regular maintenance done on car without fail. just replaced front arms on vehicle less that 1 mos. ago for $400 and was told by sales that this was an earlier problem also w/98 malibu. dt | |||
| 10/30/2002 | |||
| While driving on highway travelling approximately 70mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed. ts | |||
| 03/15/2002 | 8 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Upon starting the vehicle, it vibrated severely, and engine check light would blink on/off. the vehicle has been to the dealer on seven occasions, and the problem still occurs. the consumer states that the vehicle has a hard start and sometimes has to pump the pedal. *scc | |||
| 06/11/2002 | 2 | 08/01/2097 | |
| Dealer declares car unsafe to drive . i feel transmission mounts should last longer than 40,000 miles.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2001 | 1 | 12/01/2000 | |
| When the transmission went bad it would not shift into first gear,mechanic said the transmission was almost out of its case. they also said they had 2 other malibus,same year, with the same problem. all 4 tires were replaced in january by len stoler. they were also supposed to fix the problem in the left front tire, but it has since reoccurred.they robbed me of about $900 and were very rude about the situation. therefore i took the car to a transmission specialist to repair the transmission problem. i have not gotten the steering problem fixed yet.*ak | |||
| 10/10/2001 | 2 | 03/01/2001 | |
| Although my chevorlet malibu is only 2 years old. my transmission is shot. i have reported brake problems to the dealer three times. they checked it twice, told me there was nothing wrong. i can hardly stop my car. the rear [r] brake light has been fixed twice in two months due to a leak and wire shorts. however there is still a problem. *ak | |||
| 06/03/2001 | 2 | 02/01/1998 | |
| Pivot drive assembly seized causing the wipers/ transmission to fail but the dealer stated it was not covered under nhtsa campaign id number: 01v068000. *ak | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 02/01/1998 | ||
| Air conditoin panel has gone out twice and has been replaced now it is going out a third time. @ had replace brakes twice in one year and also replace the roters, rear suspension makes a noise a craking souns like the shocks are bad. transmission problems ,car will not shift out or change gear. it has been put on the computer 2 times and no code is showing up in the transmission. please help i have had problems with this car since day one. and i have no extended warrenty.*ak | |||
| 25 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| Engine stalls when driving or parked dealer coudn't remake problem, rough engine vibrations when car is at idle, transmission slips on numeruse occasions. *ak | |||
| 07/20/2000 | 50 | 03/16/1998 | |
| Vehicle experienced several transmission related problems, consumer stated while pushing accelerator from a complete stop, engine would rev up but vehicle would not move, after a couple of seconds, the transmission would engage, this would also happen while driving, transmission experienced slipping, dealer rebuilt transmission, also, left front axle boot was torn, dealer replaced the left inner tripod joint boot. gas cap tether broke, dealer replaced gas cap. vehicle would vibrate while braking, dealer replaced warped rotors and front brakes, the right front caliper was later replaced due to a torn piston boot. oil was leaking from the front crankshaft seal, dealer replaced seal. steering column tilt housing bowl assembly machined improperly from factory causing tilt wobble, also caused a popping noise. consumer heard a clunk noise from rear when going over bumps, dealer replaced both lower control arms. *slc | |||
| 11/17/1998 | 3 | ||
| Transmission replaced after many problems including hesitation, slipping, downshifting, and metal in pan, pcm also had to be reprogrammed. *slc | |||
| 09/07/2000 | 1 | 04/01/2000 | |
| Starter made rattle when started. nose cone shearred off starter and bored through transmission. need to replace whole transmission. | |||
| 04/10/2000 | 5 | 04/16/1998 | |
| While driving on road over 45mph vehicle will sway/won't stay in its lane. also, factory battery had started melting through the plate/abs light came on when starting vehicle/ upon applying brakes they squeaked, and vehicle won't go in reverse.*ak the transmission failed. the a/c is inoperable. brakes failed four times. *yh | |||
| 03/08/2000 | 1 | 12/01/1998 | |
| Wwindshield wipers/ transmission broke. (have defective part). *ak | |||
| 02/13/1998 | 2 | 01/19/1998 | |
| Transmission failed. yh | |||
| 1 | |||
| Transaxle drive link and transmission failed. yh | |||
| 03/01/1999 | |||
| Transmision slips, temp/elec. problems, major vibration when applying brakes-hi & lo speeds | |||
| 1 | |||
| Transmission mounts need replacing. yh | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 4 | ||
| Ongoing problem with vehicle skipping / jumping out of gear at 60-65 mph, and egine check light remaining on. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on four occasions, and nothing could be found. seeking help from nhtsa on this matter. *ak | |||
| 07/22/1999 | |||
| Vehicle doesn't automatically shift past 20 mph. after stopping vehicle doesn't pick up speed. valve body was found to be faulty and caused problem. *ak | |||
| 04/09/1998 | 5 | ||
| Repeated transmision problems. | |||
| 09/12/1998 | |||
| Intermittently while starting the vehicle (in park) the vehicle makes a thumping noise then lunges forward about 3 to 4 inches then comes to a rest. dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||
| 11/17/1998 | 3 | ||
| Transmission replaced after many problems including hesitation, slipping, downshifting, and metal in pan, pcm also had to be reprogrammed. *slc | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||
| 05/24/1999 | 10 | 03/01/1998 | |
| When ignition turned to accessory, the shift lever can be moved into any gear without pushing button in on shift lever or pushing on the brake. this is extremely dangerous! it rolled backwards down a hill while in accessory position. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||
| 1 | |||
| Torque converter clutch failed. yh | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/03/2003 | 60000 | 20 | 09/15/1998 |
| Car would be running stepped on gas and wouldn't move, had it back when it was new, but wouldn't happen when bonner chevrolet in kingston, pa mechanics would test drive it. vehicle continued until i couldn't get it out of park, then i had to have the transmission replaced 2003. itwas a 1998 ls chevy malibu fully loaded, bought new. my son had the same car and it had done the same.*ak | |||
| 03/05/2003 | 13860 | 3 | 03/06/2003 |
| The head gasket failed, without warning. *jb bad axles in front did not feel safe. *tt *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Transaxle drive link and transmission failed. yh | |||
| 03/18/1999 | 1 | 06/16/1998 | |
| While going 25mph right front axle broke. lost control of vehicle and hit curb & then a pole. both air bags deployed upon impact. vehicle was towed to dealer. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT | |||
| 1 | |||
| Front wheel bearings are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. *ak *jb | |||
| 01/24/2001 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Car still made noise after hub/bearings replaced. 2nd time hub/bearing replaced noise was louder. got 2nd opinion, was back plate rubbing against rotor. did i even need my hub/bearing replaced. 3/23/01 said i need rotors resurfaced, 2nd opinion - rotors fine. chevy is ripping me off. charged me for new serpentine belt & never replaced it. moisture in headlights. | |||
| 05/23/2000 | 09/01/1997 | ||
| Both left and right front wheel bearings are bad. i was informed that this is a common problem with chevy malibu's when they reach 50,000 - 60,000 miles. if this is a common problem, shouldn't this repair be covered? i have not called the manufacturer/dealer yet, but i plan on doing so. i also had the front control arms replaced in 1998.( dot number: ? tire size: p215 93t ) | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL | |||
| 1.}front brakes are prematurley wearing out within 20 miles. 2.}tranaxle shaft seal is leaking oil,part was replaced. 3.}radiator coolant reservoir busted, causing the coolant to leak. 4.}intake manifold is leaking. 5.}igintion wiring had to replaced. 6.}air distrubutor completely failed which is not pulling in air. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE HUBS | |||
| 04/19/2005 | 139400 | 4 | 03/25/2000 |
| 1) normal driving conditions, mostly highway. 2) failure of the hub assembly. very noisy, reduced noise around corners. 3) this hub has been replaced three times and it needs to be replaced again. i have searched for any recalls on this and could not find any. it has been 25000 miles since it was replaced last and this is totally unacceptable and expensive. was told that continued driving could cause more damage including abs system. incident date below corresponds to the lastest time hub failed. have not had it replaced yet, so part is still available.*ak | |||
| 01/24/2001 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Car still made noise after hub/bearings replaced. 2nd time hub/bearing replaced noise was louder. got 2nd opinion, was back plate rubbing against rotor. did i even need my hub/bearing replaced. 3/23/01 said i need rotors resurfaced, 2nd opinion - rotors fine. chevy is ripping me off. charged me for new serpentine belt & never replaced it. moisture in headlights. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | |||
| 06/10/2005 | 1 | 06/15/2001 | |
| Dt: the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet, malibu. the front coil spring broke. there was no shield guard, and it caused the right front cv shaft to break. also, had to do other repairs. according to the mechanic vehicle could have been involved in serious accident if she drove the vehicle after the coil spring broke. the coil spring could have gone through the front tire, causing consumer to lose control of the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 04/05/2001 | 58000 | 11/08/1999 | |
| Water is leaking into engine from the head gasket. water pump started seeping after head gasket was replaced. the front brakes was replaced several times with finally the ones mentioned on the bulletin. first the left side wheel bearing/ speed sensor assembly changed then a couple of thousand of miles later the right side. air condition was going on and off intermittently. *la | |||
| 05/28/1999 | 1 | 02/01/1999 | |
| This vechile was been in the shop a minimum of 9 times.this is the 2nd malibu that i have owned the first one was in the shop just as much if not more.the chevrolet dealer traded me out, and upgraded me for no extra money ,but this car is no better thatn the first one. i feel that this the worst car that we have every owned and would tell any one never to buy one. i feel very unsafe in this car. no my steering rack is going and the cv boot is leaking.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT | |||
| 03/26/2001 | 08/01/1999 | ||
| The strut and shocks damaged, and vehicle nocks and wobbles cause of looseness in front right drive shaft. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 08/15/2001 | 11/01/2000 | ||
| In pouring rain the w/s/w transmission broke, two days after recieved a recall letter, reimbursement refused. | |||
| 12/01/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| The consumer ran over a piece of rubber left on the highway from a blown truck tire dented the transmission pan. *yh | |||
| 12/24/1997 | |||
| Transmission lurches at cruising speeds and accelerates up long hills above 50 mph for a few seconds. | |||