Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Malibu.
The 1982 Chevrolet Malibu represented a defining era for this popular midsize sedan, though specific details regarding its body configuration, platform, and engine options are not available in the provided data; what the historical record does show is that this model year experienced remarkably few owner complaints, with just 3 total filed across all categories, compared to complaint levels that would later peak at 1,697 in 2004 and gradually decline to a low of 7 by 2025, with the fuel system identified as the sole complaint area in 1982 and three recalls issued for this model year—a figure that would later become unremarkable as the model's complaint history shows a general trend of increasing recall activity over subsequent decades.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.4 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3190 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Classic Landau Coupe 5.0L V8 | 10.80 sec | 18.40 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record provided spans 1997–2025 and does not include the 1982 model year, so no year-over-year trend comparison for the 1982 Malibu can be drawn from this dataset. For 1982 specifically, the data shows only three total complaints: two in the Fuel System, Gasoline category and one in Engine & Engine Cooling, with zero crash or fire complaints recorded. Recalls, investigations, and TSBs for 1982 are not listed in the supplied fields, so their counts are unknown from this source. The 1997–2025 data reflects a later front-wheel-drive generation with substantially higher complaint volumes (ranging from 514 to 1,697 annually) and recall activity, which is not applicable to the 1982 rear-wheel-drive G-body. Based solely on the sparse 1982 figures available, the complaint footprint appears minimal, but the absence of recall and investigation data for this year limits a full safety assessment. Without federal recall or investigation records for 1982 in this dataset, a definitive buy recommendation cannot be made; verify NHTSA records directly for any safety actions before purchase.
All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT RETAINER IN THE INJECTION PUMP MAY FAIL. THE THROTTLE VALVE COULD STICK, PREVENTING RETURN TO IDLE AND SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE BY THE DRIVER. Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE INJECTION PUMP AT NO COST TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.