← Back to Search

1980 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon Base

The 1980 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon Base is a 115-hp 3.8-liter V6 wagon with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.

It makes 115 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm.

The Malibu Wagon measures 193.4 inches long on a 108.0-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type3.8L Chevrolet 90-degree V6 (229 CID, RPO LC3)
Displacement3.8 L
Horsepower115 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque175 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cyl (pushrod)
Bore and Stroke3.736 x 3.48 in (94.9 x 88.4 mm)
Compression Ratio8.6:1
Injection Type2-bbl Rochester Dualjet (M2ME) carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed Automatic
Dimensions & Weight
Length193.4 in
Width71.2 in
Height54.5 in
Wheelbase108 in
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear38 in
Legroom Front42 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Rear57 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet MALIBU. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 24, 2007 · EQUIPMENT

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 ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

NHTSA campaign 07E088000

Apr 29, 1985 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

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.

NHTSA campaign 85V048000

Nov 24, 1984 · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

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.

NHTSA campaign 84V149000

Aug 19, 1983 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.

NHTSA campaign 83V077000

Feb 25, 1981 · 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.

NHTSA campaign 81V025000

Feb 11, 1981 · VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

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 MATERIAL WHICH WILL NOT REACT WITH THE WEATHERSTRIP.

NHTSA campaign 81V022000

5 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet MALIBU

Owner Complaints

5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet MALIBU (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Fuel System2
Gasoline2
Electrical System1
Tires1
Visibility1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 20, 1999 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“GAS TANK IS 10 INCHES FROM REAR BUMPER.CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK”
Aug 26, 1998 · Visibility
“DESIGN MATERIAL OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY FAILED (APOXY BONDING).”
Aug 26, 1998 · Tires
“U.S. ROYAL, STEEL BELTED RADIAL 195R75-14 TIRE SIDEWALL FAILED CAUSING BLOW OUT.”
Aug 26, 1998 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“FUEL PROPANE TANK HAD HOLE.”
Jun 6, 1997 · Electrical System Fire
“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. OWNER HAD DRIVEN VEHCLE FOR ABOUT (20) MINUTES BEFORE FIRE HAPPENED. FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVED FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL OR CAUSED BY OVERHEATING…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1980 CHEVROLET MALIBU. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search