1998 Chevrolet Malibu lighting problems

The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has 95 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Lighting complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Malibu lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

What owners report

“I AM SO NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND, SOMETHING DIFFERENT IS GOING WRONG. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. I SURE WOULD LOVE FOR GMC TO BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK CAR BACK. IT IS REALLY BAD WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW CAR AND IT WON'T RUN!! THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN WAS FOR IT NOT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 95 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu lighting — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 09E012000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.