CarModelProblems.com

1999 Chevrolet Malibu Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor — runs 5.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
789Complaints
3Recalls
44Crashes
2Fires
40Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (13.6% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor complaints here are 5.2× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor107 · 13.6%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip102 · 12.9%No official action
Electrical System74 · 9.4%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc67 · 8.5%No official action
Tires46 · 5.8%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System39 · 4.9%Investigation closedDP02008

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

TIRES46 · 5.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM39 · 4.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING32 · 4.1%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS32 · 4.1%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT30 · 3.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS26 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 789 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR A FRONT END NOISE 3 TIMES SO FAR..1ST THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS WERE REPLACED...2ND THE STEERING KNUCKLES WERE REPLACED....3RD THEY…”NHTSA complaint 723922 — filed 06/12/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“AT HIGH SPEEDSTHE CAR SHAKES MAKING IT HARD TO STEER. I TOOK IN TO DEALER THEY SAID ROTORS ARE OUT OF ROUND, THEY CUT ROTORS…”NHTSA complaint 723838 — filed 06/10/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“HOLES WERE TOO BIG AROUND THE ROTORS & LUGS: NUTS CAME THROUGH. UPON APPLYING BRAKES FRONT END WILL SHIMMY. ALSO, CONUSMER HAD TO GRIP STEERING…”NHTSA complaint 863066 — filed 06/06/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

232007251620092613201173201339162015922017222019332024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor issues are the most-reported category, cited in 107 of 789 NHTSA complaints (13.6%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (102), electrical system (74), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (67). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have?

789 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 44 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 40 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.