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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,232 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #13

Jan 022021

Malibu

  • miles

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

My thief light starts blinking and my car will not start. This has happened 3 times this past month. I was told it was the passlock to turn car in on position for 10 minutes or until light stops blinking then it would start. This is a safety issues that needs to be fixed before it happens while driving

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #12

Jul 112004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,020 miles
While driving at low speed, the drive wheel pulley shattered causing inablity to steer vehicle. Car had to be towed for repairs to local dealership.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #11

Jul 151998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
Bought car new 4-14-1997----problem car 32750 mi now Chevrolet ran away from this car and so did dealers---kept customer in the dark----waiting for 3 yrs or 36000mi suspension noise on going---rattle---creaking---glunking water pump leak at 23000 miles--fix est.$835--29295 mi suspension noisy yet 32655 mi on car. Relaced ignition lock cylinder $532.42---32600 mi replace 4 tires $314---32525 mi took 3 years to get brakes up tp par. Suspension still a problem.over all this car has problems from day one. Battery---windshield---poorly built auto. That's why I have low miles don't use it much.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #10

Dec 312003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

Passive theft system continually if set off, not allowing engine to run. This has caused many problems from being late to work, to simply missing a movie. In past instances the engine would start after the system reset in ten minutes, this time it just will not start and now we are late to celebrate new years eve with our family.I have had the car looked at by a mechanic, I have looked in Chevrolet repair manuals, and I have even asked the dealer about this, but I can not find an answer on how to fix this problem. This vehicle also has a random multiple misfire that can not seem to be fixed as well. From talking to other Malibu owners this is a common problem. This may be caused by the intake penelem gasket. When iquiring at the auto parts store about this gasket I came to find an improved design has been made. I do not feel that I should have to take care of these problems myself.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 252003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Passlock* (theft system) engages not enabling the car to start (gas is cut off to the engine). Chevorlet is replacing ignition lock (believed to be the fix).

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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problem #8

Sep 052002

Malibu

  • miles
Cable nearly severed. Had reported accelerator problems in past to dealer. Was dismissed as floor mat catching the pedal.

- Hastings, MI, USA

problem #7

Apr 172002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles

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

Brake lights went out at unknown time to driver resulting in rear end collison by another automobile. Instrument panel went black and emitted a black smoke resulting in unoperative use of any fan/heat/defrost..main instrument of power windows on driver side operated enough to roll down windows but not roll up drivers side resulting in ice/snow/rain buildup. Alternator went out 4 times resulting in power failure on highway resulting in crash into guard rail. Please provide us with any information to protect our family and prevent any future accidents..thank you very much. Nlm

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 192001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Engine check light and anti theft system illuminated on instrument panel, indicating a malfunction. Cause unknown.

- Southington, CT, USA

problem #5

Oct 101999

Malibu

  • miles
I have had three new front control arms put on. Now the rear suspension is bad. The brakes wear out fast because the rotors are junk, they need to be replaced every 15K to 20K miles. The car has 47K miles on it and I have owned it for 20K of those miles and have had the rotors replaced once and they need it again now. The brakes need replaced often as a result of the rotors wearing down so quickly. I don't know why this is but I urge Chevy/GM to offer a solution shortly or they will lose a lot of loyal customers. I have spoken to a number of Malibu owners with similar problems.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #4

Mar 152000

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Side trim on the inside (top and bottom) are defective. Nlm

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #3

Mar 062000

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles

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

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 052000

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Air conditioner cuts off, engine fails to start (security system), carpet has disentegrated, front end problems, brake pad replaced and belt.

- Crosby, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 261998

Malibu

  • miles
Cup holder fell off on two occasions.

- Unknown, UN, USA

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