RecallMyCar

1979 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1979 Chevrolet Malibu, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
4
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 1979 Chevrolet Malibu

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

    NHTSA 85V048000 Reported 1,810,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

  2. Axle shaft (power train)

    NHTSA 84V149000 Reported 3,100,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

  3. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 81V025000 Reported 5,821,160 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

  4. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 81V022000 Reported 67,350 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear glass.

    Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected for presence of a particular weatherstrip. If present, a layer of a special conductive epoxy will be added to the vertical bar on the rear window glass. This epoxy is a new conductive…

  5. Head restraint (seats)

    NHTSA 79V196000 Reported 491 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The invovled vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts". Incorrect head restraints may have been installed.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install new head restraints at no cost to owner.

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1979 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Consumer is requesting information on where to find safety belts for his 1979 chevrolet malibu. *mr one of the consumers seat belts started to fray. *sc *jb”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 19, 2005 · Seat belts

“Brake cylinder ruptured the hydraulic brake line causing brake failure, not included in recall due to location of assembly.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 8, 1997 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Compare Chevrolet Malibu model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Malibu model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1964 Chevrolet Malibu01
1973 Chevrolet Malibu10
1974 Chevrolet Malibu01
1975 Chevrolet Malibu02
1977 Chevrolet Malibu10
1978 Chevrolet Malibu72
1979 Chevrolet Malibu54
1980 Chevrolet Malibu55
1981 Chevrolet Malibu23
1982 Chevrolet Malibu22
1983 Chevrolet Malibu21
1986 Chevrolet Malibu01
1989 Chevrolet Malibu03
1997 Chevrolet Malibu4443
1998 Chevrolet Malibu3976
1999 Chevrolet Malibu1789
2000 Chevrolet Malibu3922
2001 Chevrolet Malibu2721
2002 Chevrolet Malibu2567
2003 Chevrolet Malibu2569
2004 Chevrolet Malibu61,147
2005 Chevrolet Malibu3975
2006 Chevrolet Malibu61,116
2007 Chevrolet Malibu3977
2008 Chevrolet Malibu4988
2009 Chevrolet Malibu51,509
2010 Chevrolet Malibu31,361
2011 Chevrolet Malibu3978
2012 Chevrolet Malibu2907
2013 Chevrolet Malibu10836
2014 Chevrolet Malibu6351
2015 Chevrolet Malibu3270
2016 Chevrolet Malibu9837
2017 Chevrolet Malibu4702
2018 Chevrolet Malibu6699
2019 Chevrolet Malibu1191
2020 Chevrolet Malibu1198
2021 Chevrolet Malibu289
2022 Chevrolet Malibu198
2023 Chevrolet Malibu270
2024 Chevrolet Malibu242
2025 Chevrolet Malibu111

Checking a specific 1979 Chevrolet Malibu

How do I know if my 1979 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. 5 campaigns currently list the 1979 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 79V196000).

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

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.