1998 Chevrolet Malibu Wipers & Visibility Problems

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A DOWNPOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FLY ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEY STOPPED WORKING CAUSING HER TO HAVE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LINKAGE ON THE MOTOR FOR BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT A SALVAGE FACILITY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000, VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, LINKAGES WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES DUE TO A BUILDUP OF SNOW, ICE, AND CORROSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PASSENGER-SIDE PIVOT HOUSING HAS CRACKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). UPON CONTACT HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SO HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB

THE WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD SOME LIGHT FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD SHE LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT THE FROST HAD TURNED TO WATER SO SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY JUST WENT NUTS THE RIGHT WIPER WENT OVER TOP OF THE LEFT ONE SO SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM DOWN SHE THEN CONTINUED WITH HER DAY WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT SO I WENT OUT TO SEE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ARMS WERE BROKEN AT ONE END ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SO I THEN TOOK THEM OUT TO REPLACE THEM AND WHEN I LOOKED THEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON RECORD, SO I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE 1-800-222-1020 AND SEE JUST WHAT I CAN HAVE DONE. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK IN HEAVY RAIN ON A BUSY STREET AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT AND THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE PIVOT HOUSING AS THE DEALER CALLED IT IS CRACKED AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BEGAN TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

USE OF THE WINDOW AND FAULTY DESIGN WITH PLASTIC PARTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WINDOW IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE USED AND HAS TO STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION OR IT FALLS INTO THE DOOR. TOO EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING DURING ICE STORMS IN JANUARY 2007 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A BROKEN PIVOT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SAME DEFECT WAS COVERED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I LIVED OUTSIDE THE SALT BELT,CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM FEARFUL, BUT FORCED TO, DRIVE IN RAIN STORMS WITHOUT WORKING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ARROGANT ABOUT HELPING IN THIS SITUATION FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS.*AK

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BLEW UP.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR. *NM

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE STORM. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. *BF RESPONDED TO PREVIOUSLY VIA E-MAIL REFER TO ODI#10093392. *SC

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

(1) I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-75 AN HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. WHILE DOING 70-75 MPH IN HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF HURRICANE FRANCES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING WINDSHIELD AWASH IN RAIN AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 6 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINSHEILD WIPER ARM SNAPPED FIRST IN THE VERTIAL POSITION, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM RAN OVER TOP OF IT BREAKING IT TOO. TRECHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE ENDURED IN ATTEMPTING TO GET OFF INTERSTATE. I WAS LEFT TO DRIVE WITH NEARLY NO VISIBILITY THROUGH HURRICANE FRANCES FOR 3 MORE HOURS UNTIL I MADE IT FAR ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE STORM. 3) WHEN BACK HOME IN LOUISVILLE, I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER TO GET ESTIMATE AND FIXED SINCE IT WAS PREDICTED TO RAIN SOON. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES BREAKING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO TRY TO GET GM TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK I SEARCHED SAFETY RECALL DATABASE HERE AND CAME ACCROSS OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PART THAT FAILED. THEREFORE I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ALSO. RQ04006. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN 2001 BUT ONLY IN 28 NORTHERN STATES.*AK

RECALL 01V068000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM. WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP OPERATING OR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD LOCK UP IN A DOWN POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.

HEATER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ABOVE SETTING 3. THIS RESULTS IN OPERATOR TO HOT(HEAT) OR TO COLD(A.C.). CANNOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM.*AK

1998 CHEVROLET METRO 4 DOOR - DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS DO NOT STAY ON TRACK WHEN ROLLING UP OR DOWN. PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2002, USED, FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A RECALL BEING CONDUCTED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF IT. RECALL NO. #01VO68000, WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE. *NM

THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE HOUSING OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND AS A RESULT THE WIPERS DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. ALTHOUGH THIS DEFECT WAS ON RECALL THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. RECALL 01V068000 WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE SYSTEM CRACKED WHILE IN USE DURING A HEAVY RAIN CAUSING BOTH WIPERS TO FAIL. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 65 TRAVELING AT 55MPH. VISIBILTY AFTER THE INCIDENT DIMINISHED TO APPROX 20-30 FEET. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULL TO THE ROADSIDE. *AKHOWEVER I DON'T THINK AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS,, WEATHER, SPEED, TRAFFIC... I SEARCHED FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES FROM CHEVY ON THIS AND FOUND ONE, 01V068000. WHY WASN'T MY STATE LISTED IN THE GROUP TO NOTIFY? THERE IS A REAL DANGER IN THE PLASTIC DESIGN OF THE WIPER MOUNT. PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND HAVE CHEVY NOTIFY ALL OF US MALIBU OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGER...THANK YOU PHLECIA PARTAIN

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*MR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN A SNOW STORM AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. *TS *JB

INTERMITTENTLY PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S VIEWS. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT.*MR PASSENGER WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL 01V068000. *TT *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL#0 1 V 068 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SHUT OFF CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 01V068000, CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM BROKE INSIDE THE CASING DURING A SNOW STORM AND BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE ARM, IMPAIRING CONSUMERS VISIBILITY, CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS.*JB

A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO RECALL C01014-S, THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE COST OF REPAIRING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT PROVIDE THE ORIGINAL REPAIR BILL.*YH *JB

PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTUER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER THEN COMPLIED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT AN ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO BE REIMBURSED, CONSUMER HAS SINCE DISCARDED THE ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE AND FEELS THIS IS EXCESSIVE.*JB

A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO RECALL, THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE COST OF REPAIRING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT PROVIDE THE ORIGINAL REPAIR BILL.*YH

I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND GM CASE # C04015874 IN APRIL 01. GM TOLD ME TO SEND IN COPIES OF MY SALES CONTRACT AND OTHER PURCHASE INFO TO PROVE I PURCHASED IT IN NY I DID THAT IMMEDIATELY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER AND HAVE IT INSPECTED AND GIVE THEM THE BROKEN PIVOT PART. I THEN WAS TOLD AT THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER ALL THIS MISINFORMATION GIVEN TO ME THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO REINBURSE ME FOR THE PART I HAD TO BUY TO REPAIR THE CAR. THE RECALL SAID THE SNOW FALL CAUSES THE PART TO BREAK AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED-BUT THEY WON'T HONOR IT. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME, THE PART COST $100. DOLLARS.*AK

PRIOR TO RECALL 01V068, THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER PIVOT HOUSING CRACKED AND THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER, CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION REQUEST AND THEN REQUESTED A REFUND SINCE HE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER WHEN HE RECEIVED THE REFUND CHECK IT WAS ONLY FOR $64.00 NOT EVEN HALF THE AMOUNT THAT HE PAID.*YD

PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER PIVOT HOUSING CRACKED AND THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER, CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION REQUEST AND THEN REQUESTED A REFUND SINCE HE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER WHEN HE RECEIVED THE REFUND CHECK IT WAS ONLY FOR $64.00 NOT EVEN HALF THE AMOUNT THAT HE PAID.*YD

PIVOT HOUSING BROKE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO WINSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. BOTH PARTS WERE REPLACED AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT CLEARING THE WINDOW. BLADES ARE NOT TOUCHING THE WINDOW PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO DEALER, AND HAD WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED 3 TIMES. BUT, PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR THE PARTS BECAUSE MY VIN# DON'T COME UP. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND IS REGISTERED IN NEW YORK ONE OF THE SNOW BELT STATES AFFECTED. ORIGINALLY, THE CAR WAS SOLD AND DELIVERED IN FLORIDA, AND THAT'S WHY MY VIN# ISN'T COMING UP. SOMEONE HAS TO TELL THEM THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NY AND ISN'T BEING USED IN FLORIDA. MY WIFE ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS BROKE WHILE THE WET SNOW CAME DOWN.I'VE JUST FOUND OUT THAT A PERSON AT MY INSURANCE CO, JUST GOT THERE RECALL AND THEIRS DIDN'T BREAK YET, WHILE MINE DID. PLEASE HELP. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

CONSUMER STATES PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING IS FRACTURED AT THE BASE, RESULTING IN OPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. *JB

FUSES FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUED TO BLOW. THEN, PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER CRACKED AND BROKE, WHICH NECESSITED THE REPLACEMENT OF WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 01V068000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

I'M WAITING FOR PAPERS TO BE SENT TO ME FOR THIS COMPLAINT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS BROKE FROM THE SNOW, AND MY WIFE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WHILE PULLING OVER CAUSE SHE COULDN'T SEE.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME DEFECT AS LISTED IN RECALL 01V068000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE: PIVOT: DRIVE ASSEMBLY CRACKING DUE TO SNOW AND ICE. WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED OPERATING. DEALER REPAIRED DEFECT AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, AND DID NOT RECOGNIZE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, RECALL ANNOUNCED IN MARCH 2001, NO NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE YET. *AK CONSUMER STATED AN ACCIDENT WAS ALMOST CAUSED DUE TO THE FAULTY WIPERS. *SLC

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW HAS AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM TO DOWN. DEALER CHECK BUT CONDITION CONTINUE. DASH COVER IS SHRINKING PREMATURELY. DEALER SAID CONDITION IS NORMAL AND HAS NO PLAN TO REPLACE IT. PERSONALLY OBSERVED OTHER CARS, SAME YARS, WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

WINDOW SWITCH FAILED CAUSING INOPERABLE WINDOW. *SLC

REMOTES INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED DOOR WIRING. *SLC

MIRROR HINGE SPRING TENSION LOOSE AND ELECTRIC REMOTE CONTROL MIRROR SWITCH FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, FOUND TRANSMISSION BROKEN AT PIVOT POINT. *MJS

THE METAL ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHEARED OFF, AND CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARM BROKE. DEALER CONTACTED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *YC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WARPED CAUSING STREAKS. NLM

POWER MIRROR ADJUSTER FAILED. *YC

WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING A DOWNPOUR--ARMS CROSSED AND WOULDN'T WORK. EXACT SAME FAILURE JUST HAPPENED TO MY SISTER-IN-LAW WHO HAS A NEW OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME CAR. I THEN REALIZED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.

SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS VIBRATE/FAILED, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE VEHICLES IN THE REAR.

REAR WINDOW BROKE FOR NO REASON. WEATHER WAS HOT. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKOWN. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK