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5.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,498 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 steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 102005

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

My fiance and I have had a 1997 Chevy Malibu for a year and a half. About a month after purchasing it, the vehicle started having problems with the passlock theft system that would leave us stranded for 10 minutes because the car wouldn't crank. Gradually it started doing it more and more. We've had incidents where the theft system light would go off after 10 minutes but when trying to start it again; it would do the same thing. I've actually had times of being stranded for 2 hours because it would keep doing it! right now our car is at my fiance's work because it won't crank and we got tired of trying after 3 hours. This is so annoying! Chevrolet should be ashamed of themselves! I know a lot of people that have had this same problem(not counting all the other problems like the brakes and windshield wipers). With so many people having the same problem..that means they should recall it and fix it. We don't have money like they do and can't afford to keep putting it in the shop to be worked on. I'm currently a college pell grant recipient that is going to lose my grants because of this lemon car! I was adopted by my grandparents that are on ssi and disability and they can't afford to send me to school. I hope the people at Chevrolet are happy with ruining my future! please help me!!!I need my car fixed before it's too late!

- Irvington, AL, USA

problem #6

Oct 012004

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving steering/ front wheels locked up. Consumer contacted his personal mechanic, and was told they had never seen anything similar. Contacted the dealer. However, the priblem recurred.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 102004

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,489 miles
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 #4

Jan 032004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

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

When driving my 1997 Chevy Malibu, I turned left and the steering wheel locked. I almost crashed into a parked car due to the fact that I couldn't move the steering wheel at all. When I tried getting the steering wheel to move again, it wouldnt budge right but when trying left it would make a "hissing" sound, like air pressure being released. This happened at 10pm and I had passengers in the vehicle, this could have been catastrophic. This happened suddenly with no warning whatsoever. I am going back to the dealer asap.

- Rutherford, NJ, USA

problem #3

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 #2

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 #1

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

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