1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 693 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 17.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.7%.
Complaints693
Crashes34
Fires0
Injuries19
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.9% · 124
Electrical system 13.7% · 95
Steering 12.1% · 84
Engine and engine cooling 10.5% · 73
Suspension 9.2% · 64
Visibility 6.8% · 47
Exterior lighting 6.3% · 44
Air bags 3.6% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 19 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu in this data, 1997 sits 20th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 13 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,750 miles.
In owners' own words
Anti- theft system activates ramdomly and the ignition will not start. Has been in the shop for repairs numerous times without success. The abs light comes on at random. The rotors wear out excessively on this car. The cruise control cuts itself off while driving. We have also had sensors replaced on the air conditioner twice. Those are just the major problems. Service brakes, hydraulic
These cars are a constant repair bill and dangerous to operate because the tail lights will blow bulbs and without tail lights you are due for a rear collision.The brakes are awful and the rack and pinion didn't give any warning before it failed(locked up) gm will not take responsibility for any of these and numerous other defects in the car please help! Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving vehicle 40 pmh driver stepped on the brake pedal to stop vehicle, the brakes made noise like grinding metal to metal sound, and vehicle stopped a few inches away. Also consumer said that he lost control of vehicle , almost causing an accident. He had to replace brakes many times before. Manufacturer and dealer were contacted. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Malibu years
1998 1,480 complaints · 29.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 1,227 complaints · 30.8% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 1,379 complaints · 20.6% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 1,005 complaints · 30.1% electrical system 2002 755 complaints · 35.8% electrical system 2003 773 complaints · 38.9% electrical system