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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,858 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #46

Mar 012008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I would like to get a replacement, discount or free service on my 1997 Malibu. I've had my car since 2004 and had to get another motor in 2005 which is needed now.this car has put me down a lot not only problems with the motor but the ignition locked up and I had to replace that as well as the brakes and rotors that last about 2 or 3 months. I also have a problem with the lights not working properly they only work on high beam. I can't find a more reasonable mechanic that's willing to repair the motor that I currently have due to the type which is a 2.4 and a used motor cost about half the price of a new one. Please help!

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #45

Jan 012004

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu and my sister has a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. We both experience the same instances with our vehichles. The check engine light will come on frequently, the ABS brake light will come one frequently. It happens to my car, the 97 Chevrolet Malibu every other time I turn on my car. I have to turn it off, and then restart it and then the lights go off. When the light is on, the ABS brakes do not work. My sister got her 1997 Chevrolet Venture looked at and fixed and they said that it was a sensor. I find it odd that we both have the same problems. Is there a recall on any electrical device or sensor? please let me know.

- Little Chute, WI, USA

problem #44

Jan 012005

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Suddenly brakes stopped working, and consumer's vehicle was involved in four collisions.. in the most recent collision consumer's vehicle struck the rear end of a truck at 30 mph. Also, vehicle stalled and cuts off in traffic.

- Menasha, WI, USA

problem #43

Feb 102004

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,489 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. After leaving the dealer steering wheel and the brakes locked. Dealer checked vehicle, and stated that it was okay. However, vehicle was still experiencing the same problem.

- Pahoa, HI, USA

problem #42

Oct 042002

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,358 miles
Engine check light and the ABS light illuminated while driving. Vehicle been to a repair shop on 3 separate occasions, and the problem had not been resolved. Vehicle had its gas tank cap replaced, and the brake system was overhauled. But problem recurred.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #41

Feb 112004

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
While driving 20 mph and when depressing brakes pedal it traveled to floorboard, resulting into extended stopping distance, causing consumer to crash head on into a pole.

- Clayton, NM, USA

problem #40

Aug 092002

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 361,620 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS light comes on after I lose brake. Chronic problems associated with this year vehicle are ABS sensor, belt tensioner breaks away, cooling system heat controls, wiring to the rear lights. These are problems that this year model has that should be recalled. Especially when the break sensor goes out and brakes are lost. Why has nothing been done to force Chevrolet to fix these problems? it is not just one car but all of 1997 Malibu that has the problem. It is a definite safety issue.

- Gurley, AL, USA

problem #39

Jun 012002

Malibu

  • miles
While traveling on highway and without prior warning ABS braking light appeared on dashboard. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Pahrump, NV, USA

problem #38

Jun 232002

Malibu

  • miles
While driving at 55 mph I had to stop for a car, the brakes failed, ( brake clear to the floor) I had to drive into the bar pit to avoid a collision. I have had the vehicle to a GM authoriized service department 3 times to have them fixed because of how slow it stops. Brake pads were replaced, calipers replaced, everything was done to the brakes that they could. The brakes failed after the brakes on the wheel were in working order. I think the ABS system is going out.!

- Castle Dale, UT, USA

problem #37

May 282002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
I have had to change the front disc brakes at least 5 times and the rotors twice in the 2 years since I have owned the vehicle. The air bag sensor has not been functional since 1 month after I bought the vehicle. It also has a problem with the ABS system, causing the brakes to wear so fast. I believe the system should be recalled due to safety issues. I have checked on the internet with other owners and most of them have the same issues with the brakes as I do.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #36

Apr 012002

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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!

- Brokwood, AL, USA

problem #35

Mar 212002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
I have had problems with this vehicle since the day I financed it. I understand buying a used car is risky but not like this. I have had my complete brake system replaced and still have major problems. I purchased the vechicle from folsom lake used car outlet and all they can do is point the blame towards me. They tell me it is the way that I drive, I ride the brakes, I drive with two feet. Excuses mainly. Instead of saying we don't honestly know what is wrong fingers are being pointed. I have gone through 6 sets of pads, 4 sets of rotors due to hot spots, a set of calipers, and now everything needs replaced again. I have not had the car 1 year yet. Pretty much my brakes fail every month to month & 1/2. when the dealership first put my vehicle in the shop it went to the original dealer 2 weeks after having it, for blown headgaskets & cooliant problems. The brake problem was there but where I purchased the vehicle from wanted to fix the problem themselves. I have a 4 year old son, and I look at it as what if the brakes totally fail. I guess it is no ones problem until someone gets hurt and a major law suit is brung against the dealer. That makes people then open their eyes and think how the situation could have been prevented. I do not bring all the blame against Chevy because when a dealership sells a vehicle new or used safety is the most important thing. And I don't have that safety in my vehicle. Please someone can you help me in my situation.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #34

Jul 161998

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle. (dot number: 0 tiresize: 215R60-15)

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #33

Jun 092001

Malibu

  • miles
ABS light comes on when making slow turns. When car is re-started the light goes out until another slow turn is made. This happens 5-6 tim.ES a week.

- Melbourne Beach, FL, USA

problem #32

Jun 052001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
I almost hit a large number of cars due to this problem. Once I tired to up up the the mouintains and when I returned, brakes would make the card shake and vibrate and I could not control the weel and could not brake the car. I praid and reduced speed via gear, and then I could stop the car, but my car was so out of control that I almost went out of the road. I have changed my rotors and pads like 10 times and calipers once within 20.000 miles. I have checked the internet and there are over 5000 compaints about the same problem I am having with my brakes, wearing out very soon. I have spent over 3500 dolars on pads and brakes, with and without original parts and nothing seens to work. Even the dealer mechanic says that the brakes is fine, but for me and everyone else, they are not.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #31

Jan 011997

Malibu

  • miles
When driving ABS braking light comes on dashboard intermittently. Brake light goes off when consumer turns vehicle off.

- Monessenpa, PA, USA

problem #30

Mar 292001

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #29

Jul 012000

Malibu

  • miles
Ever since I bought the car the ABS light stays on, it does not stop in the snow it slides ABS does not work and from day one the dealer would do nothing to help me fix the problem and now my warrenty is up and they say too bad for you. Nice car dealership, not! is there anything you can do about this ABS failure.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #28

Mar 162001

Malibu

  • miles
While driving would step on the brakes and it will makes noise like grinding metal to metal. Brakes had to be replaced nine times.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #27

Feb 012001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
At 19,000 front rotors needed to be resurfaced, and at 24,000 miles rotors needed to be resurfaced again. At 47,000 miles front brakes, and 1 rotor needed to replaced. At 71,000 miles front rotors and pads needed to be replaced again. Dealer claimed it was normal to have rotors turned every 15,000-20000 miles.

- North Bend, WA, USA

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