Menu

1978 Chevrolet MalibuProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 13, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling11
Service brakes, hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1978 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 3 more recalls

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1978 vs. every other Malibu year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu median. How we score

'73'74'75'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'86'89'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE BACKING PLATEEA86006 · closed Nov 28, 1988
    No recall

Own a 1978 Malibu?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.