1998 Chevrolet Malibu

THIS VEHICLE HAD A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IN 2006. GENERAL MOTORS NEVER ISSUED A UNINTENDED IGNITION TURNOFF ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL AUG2014. THE CRASH BEGAN WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNEXPECTED SPINOUT, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE GM RECALL. GM WILL NOT ACCEPT A FILING FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE GM IGNITION FAILURE CLAIM PROGRAM. NHTSA DIDN'T ALL THE GM RECALL TO MALIBU'S BUT I HAVE NOTIFIED THEM OF THE OVERSIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND COMPENSATION PROVIDED BY GM. THIS IS THE EXACT WORDING ON THE GM RECALL WEBSITE: THE FOLLOWING RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR YOUR 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU RESULTS LAST UPDATED: SEP 16, 2014 GM RECALL #: N140350 NHTSA RECALL #: 14V400 DATE ISSUED: AUG 12, 2014 UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION RECALL DESCRIPTION: GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN 2000-2005 MY CHEVROLET IMPALA AND MONTE CARLO, 1997-2005 MY CHEVROLET MALIBU, 1999-2004 MY OLDSMOBILE ALERO, 1998-2002 MY OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, 1999-2005 MY PONTIAC GRAND AM, AND 2004-2008 MY PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES. IF THE KEY RING IS CARRYING ADDED WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE GOES OFF ROAD OR EXPERIENCES SOME OTHER JARRING EVENT, IT MAY UNINTENTIONALLY MOVE THE KEY AWAY FROM THE RUN POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING MAY BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SAFETY RISK DESCRIPTION: THE TIMING OF THE KEY MOVEMENT OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, RELATIVE TO THE ACTIVATION OF THE SENSING ALGORITHM OF THE CRASH EVENT, MAY RESULT IN THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY IN CERTAIN KINDS OF CRASHES. *TR

MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. AS SHE ROUNDED A SMALL CURVE, HER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRIED TO STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD, THE CAR SLID ON THE PAVEMENT, SPUN AROUND, WAS THROWN OVER A DITCH, HIT A TREE AND LANDED BACK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S SMALL BODY (98 POUNDS) WAS THROWN ACROSS THE SEAT AND INTO THE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN POLICE AND AMBULANCES ARRIVED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MY GRANDDAUGHTER DIED AT THE SCENE FROM HEAD TRAUMA AND INTERNAL INJURIES. HER IDENTICAL TWIN SISTER LOST HALF OF HER IDENTITY THAT DAY; THE TWO OF THEM WERE AS ONE. EMERGENCY TEAMS HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO RETRIEVE HER BODY FROM THE CAR. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I COULD HEAR THE SIRENS IN THE DISTANCE BUT HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE SOUNDING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. THE MEMORY OF THOSE SIRENS STILL HAUNTS ME. *TR

Front seat belts come unbuckled while driving. My wife commuted to work in this car for about 12 months (37 miles one way) and mentioned that sometimes the seatbelt would come unbuckled. I suspected that she was not getting it latched in properly and did not think much of it as when I looked at the seatbelt it functioned properly. However our daughter started driving this car to and from school and also mentioned issues with the seatbelt occasionally coming unbuckled, unfortunately she was involved in a collision. When we learned that she did not have her seatbelt on it surprised us. When my aunt and uncle who owned the car visited in the hospital, my aunt mentioned that she also has had the seatbelt randomly come unbuckled multiple times in that car. I purchased seatbelts from cars of the same age and platform (1997-2004 GM N body) and have inspected them. I believe there is a design flaw that allows the seatbelt to latch in and feel secure when it is actually not locked in. In my pictures note the scratches on the release button. It is my feeling that normal debris (hair, lint, ect) may be causing the release button to partially stick down (1/8" or so). When the release button is stuck partially down the belt side can be inserted into the buckle and it will latch with a click sound, however the white plastic lock tab will not drop under the lock rod. In this latched but not locked situation the belt can be pulled on with a fair amount of force and still stay latched. When compared to other seat belt styles from other models of cars, I notice that the release button or cover have a smaller "slide surface area". Also on the other seat belt styles if the release button is stuck partially down the belt will not latch into the buckle.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MOST OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, ONE AIR BAG DID NOT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: N140350. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE, A HIP BRUISING AND A MUSCLE BEHIND SHOULDER WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE FOR ME. AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. (THOUGH IT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM CHARGING ME FOR ALL THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE) THIS CAR HAS MANY, MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A "CERTIFIED GM" BACK IN JULY 2001. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY ISSUES TO LIST ON THIS FORUM. MOST RECENT, WAS COMING HOME LAST NIGHT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED, LEAVING ME W/ 1 FOG LAMP AS THE OTHER WENT W/ THE HEADLIGHTS. ON A GRAVEL ROAD, W/ NO LIGHTS. FOUND OURSELVES IN THE DITCH. STILL WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO PULL THE PIECE OF CRAP OUT. SON GOT A NICE GOOSE EGG OUT OF THE ORDEAL FROM HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE DOOR ON THE BUMPY RIDE DOWN THE DITCH. I AM SO FED UP WITH THIS CAR. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK SUDDENLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND ROLLED OVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED FIVE BROKEN RIBS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND HIT A DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, HOWEVER, UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE RUNNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 2-5 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CUT THE GLASS, AND HIT CONSUMER.*AK

FRONT FENDER WHERE FRONT SENSOR WAS LOCATED WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST AND KNEE INJURIES FROM STEERING AND DASHBOARD BECAUSE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONSULTED MANUFACTURER OR DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH IN WHICH NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SEAT CAME UNLATCHED & DRIVER RECEIVED INJURY TO RIGHT HAND & RIGHT BREAST. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM BOBB CHEVY IN 11/99, IN APRIL 2000 NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. TOOK CAR INTO A TUFFY AUTO SHOP WHO INDICATED I NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. THEY SUGGESTED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER VEHICLE REPAIRS. SO I TOOK IT TO BOBB AT 7:30 AM ON 4/27/00, THEY COMPLETED BRAKE JOB - ROTORS, CALIPERS, FLUID, PADS AND LABOR. THIS TOTALLED $817.01, I PAID $496.12, WARRANTY PAID THE BALANCE. ON 5/17/00, COMING HOME FROM WORK ON A SERVICE ROAD I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND FOUND I DID NOT HAVE ANY - THIS WAS 3 WKS AFTER A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. I HAD THE OPTION TO GO INTO AN INTERSECTION, OR HIT A CAR STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN, BUT I CHOSE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, HOPING THAT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME. I HIT A PINE TREE, BOTH AIR BAGS POPPED OUT, WINDSHIELD CRACKED, SUBSEQUENTLY MY INSURANCE COMPANY - GEICO TOTALLED THE CAR. I SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISES, ENDED UP IN EMERGENCY, ORDERED TO TAKE 2 DAYS OFF WORK FOR BRUISES, SEVERELY SPRAINED ANKLE, BRUISES ON CHEST & STOMACH FROM SEATBELT AND AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, GIVEN THEM GEICO'S REPORT AND POLICE REPORT. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT PRODUCT LIABILITY DEPT OF CHEVROLET. AT THIS TIME SOMEONE FROM GM PRODUCT ASST IS TO CONTACT ME.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

KEY CYLINDER MALFUNCTION CAUSING BELL TO RING CONTINUALLY. YH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED UPON INITIAL IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WHEN PULLING OUT OF A FRIENDS HOME ON A DRY 60 DEGREE NIGHT, MY SON PROCEEDED LESS THAN A BLOCK TO A FLASHING RED LIGHT. BEFORE GETTING TO THE LIGHT, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE (THE CAR BEHIND HIM SAW THE BRAKE LIGHTS) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. HE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE WOULD SOON BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, HE ACCELERATED TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. HOWEVER, HE STILL WAS HIT NEAR THE REAR OF THE BACK DOOR (ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) AND THE CAR WAS SPUN INTO A POLE ON THE OTHER SIDE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE - THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. FORTUNATELY, THE OCCUPANTS WERE BOTH UNINJURED, BUT HAD HE NOT ACCELERATED IT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A DIFFERENT STORY. RIGHT NOW, THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS PUSHING FOR US TO HAVE IT MOVED TO A JUNK YARD TO AVOID THE STORAGE FEES. *AK *BF *NM

VEHICLE WAS IN A LOW SPEED, LOW IMPACT COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 MPH. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN SINGLE CAR COLLISION. STEERING FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A ROCK. THE DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY TRIPLE L TOWING. *AK CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER IN LAW HEARD NEWS OF GM RECALLING 88,000 VEHICLES FOR A POWER STEERING DEFECT, AND RELAYED THE NEWS TO CONSUMER. CONSUMER CONTACTED GM REGARDING THE NEWS AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE IS INCLUDED ON THE LIST. ALSO, GM SAID THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO CHECK ON TO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO REPORTED INFORMATION TO HER INSURANCE CARRIER. *LA

POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A ROCK. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK