1998 Chevrolet Malibu Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 976 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu overview page.
What owners report
“THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, IT WAS LEAKING FLUID OVER THE ENGINE.. DEALER ORDERED GASKET KIT AND WILL FIX WHEN PARTS COME IN, COULD HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 705588 — filed 04/13/1999
“WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE DOES NOT STAY ON ROAD. STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AT 60-65 MPH. ALSO ENGINE REQUIRES MAJOR WORK, INCLUDING THE CHANGING OF…”NHTSA complaint 827862 — filed 10/07/1998
“ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY RESTART. ON THE FIFTH OCCURENCE IT WOULD NOT RESTART (TRAVELING 55MPH…”NHTSA complaint 780462 — filed 09/19/1998
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu: 46 of 976 complaints on file (4.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have in total?
976 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
