1978 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Complaints & Specs
7 safety recalls list the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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7 safety recalls for the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Wheel cylinders (service brakes)
Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes would remain operational.
Remedy: Add a part to prevent wheel cylinder from rotating.
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Axle shaft (power train)
Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect the rear axle to determine whether it was manufactured at the buffalo plant. If so, they will make axle measurements and if necessary replace or modify affected axle components without charge.
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Suspension: rear
The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Remedy: Both rear control arm attachment bolts will be replaced without charge.
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Wheel bearing (suspension)
Under certain driving conditions, these vehicles can experience temperatures in the front wheel outer bearing area which can affect the wheel bearing grease. This can result in inadequate lubrication of the bearing. This condition may be further aggravated by improper adjustment of the front wheel spindle nut.
Remedy: The dealer will install new front wheel outer bearings packed with grease and the spindle will be coated with lubricant. New grease retainer caps will also be installed to maintain grease in outer bearing. This will be…
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments would be free to fly from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the fan blade assembly without charge to owner.
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Head restraint (seats)
Incorrect head restraints may have been installed on the involved vehicles. This fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts".
Remedy: Dealer will replace incorrect head restraints with improved head restraints.
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Wheel cylinders (service brakes)
The rear brake wheel cylinder retainer on the involved vehicles may not have been properly installed. Should the wheel cylinder retainer become completely disengaged, the wheel cylinder could move outboard causing a loss of brake fluid and a loss of rear braking action.
Remedy: The dealer will reposition the rear wheel brake cylinder retainers, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“NHTSA recall 85v143000 on hydraulic brake:shoe and drum wheel cylinders: consumer while applying brake pedal, it went to the floor, and vehicle continued on before stopping. Notified dealer, and manuf”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 13, 2002 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Compare Chevrolet Malibu model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Malibu model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 1978 Chevrolet Malibu
How do I know if my 1978 Chevrolet Malibu has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 77V181000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
- Cobalt7,681 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.