Seven problems related to front suspension have been reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The subframe of my 1999 Chevrolet Malibu suffered corrosion to the point where it needed to be replaced. This is a very unusual failure of the suspension system. The area round one of the bolts holding the subframe broke off due to corrosion, causing the vehicle to not be able to be steered properly (could not turn right more than 10-15%). If this had happened while I was driving at any speed, it very well could have caused an accident (the component broke while I was attempting to parallel park). Recently Hyundai recalled a number of vehicles due to the same damage for those residing in the salt belt (I happen to own a Hyundai involved in the recall). Based on the damage my Malibu suffered, I believe that the issue of subframe corrosion for those in the salt belt may go beyond the Hyundai recall.
Malibu 1999 with 68,000 miles came out to leave for work found pass side spring.
After driving to work (25 miles) I backed into the parking space in the morning. At noon, I started the car to move forward and heard a heavy rubbing. The front left strut spring had broken at the its bottom ring and was rubbing on the tire. I was fortunate that I was not traveling 50 mph to work. Car mileage 140,000. 1999 Malibu.
Driving at 35 mph, the spring fractured on the front left strut of a 1999 chevy Malibu with 19000 miles. The break caused a huge bang and the front of the car dropped. Luckily the sharp part of the break did not puncture the tire, damage the brake line or break the tie-rod end. The spring did indeed contact the tire and wore the epoxy coating off, but again, did not puncture the tire. I had the two front struts replaced and saved the broken one and the receipt for verification in case there is a future recall. I have seen that this problem has many complaints and I can say that this is a defect in the steel that was used to make the spring. . . . Not a corrosion problem. The spring is covered with an epoxy coating and where it rubbed off, from contact with the tire, the steel looked shiny new.
Failure of front strut springs. No notification either time they broke / passenger's side front spring broke about 6 months ago. I did not think too much of it because dealer stated they have seen this happen before. 6-27-07 my driver's side strut spring broke. I was now told that this could have caused an accident by the way this had broke. I contacted another dealer per recall or any notification out there regarding this safety issue. I was told by dealer that they replaced them often enough that they even stocked them. I felt that in this year the production defect required intervention by you. I again had no indication until I heard a clung. Which at that time I was not driving very fast. I work in a repair shop, and have never seen a spring break on any vehicle. The shop I work for deals with vehicle with lots of miles on them. My 99 Malibu only has 85,000-90,000 miles on it and both my springs broke within 6 months of each other. Thanks for taking the time to read my concern. Please let me know if you have heard of anymore issues that may relate to my concern.
Suspension is still having problems after three trips to dealership for repairs. Gm admits service alert, but remedy they suggest doe snot fix problem. When vehicle is moving at higher speeds on rough surface, car jerks, squeaks and feels generally less controllable.
There is a thumping noise in front end of vehicle when consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.