1998 Buick Regal vs 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1998 Buick Regal | 1998 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 302 | 976 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 84 | 115 |
| Investigations | 6 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 34 |
| Fire reports | 41 | 5 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–21 | 21–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 92,100 mi | 80,731 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Buick Regal | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 | 347 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 55 | 144 |
| Electrical System | 51 | 130 |
| Steering | 76 | 74 |
| Suspension | 6 | 108 |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | 79 |
| Visibility | 27 | 63 |
| Tires | 11 | 58 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 30 | 37 |
| Vibration / shaking | 12 | 87 |
| Steering problems | 8 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 8 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 22 |
| Overheating | 0 | 21 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 15 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 15 |
1998 Buick Regal
1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all Buick Regal vs Chevrolet Malibu years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.