The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.1L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Midsize Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 17–20 city / 27–30 highway / 21–24 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,800–$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 370–423 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 2 configurations |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are…
Risk: 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.
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Risk: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wh
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south…
Risk: Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.
Owners have filed 981 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. 36 reports involved a crash and 5 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 27 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 115 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 6 defect investigations covering the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu.
Windshield wiper failure
In march 2001, gm notified NHTSA that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA number 01v068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 Chevrolet Malibu and oldsmobile cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.gm reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sp
Windshield wiper
On february 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 Chevrolet Malibu & oldsmobile cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on july 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation,
Stop lamp assembly overheat
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper
There is no summary currently available
Stop lamp
There is no summary currently available
‹ Sell a 1997 Malibu · Sell a 1999 Malibu › · All Chevrolet Malibu years
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 Malibus that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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