1997 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 443 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Theft light. Car won't start it's happened 20 times in the last 6 months. I was driving and theft light caused everything to shut down. This is a dangerous thing that needs to be fixed”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2021
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2021
“Was driving on interstate when car completely shut off, lost all power , no power steering or power brakes. Second time, came to a stop on city street and car shut off again , no power , no power steering or power brakes again. Car had to be towed. This happened after I paid modern chevrolet to fix the issue which ignition switch was found to be at fault. (NHTSA reference number-14v400000) affected number- 5,877,718”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Theft light keeps coming on, my car will stop when it happens. This has happened while driving. And will not start. I've had the recall fixed years ago that was said to be the reason. It didn't fix the problem”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“I have had to change the passenger caliper and rotors twice because the bolts for the caliper keeps popping out and the bolts for the bracket keeps popping out.. My windshield wiper on the passenger side went out last month..last night the car wouldn't start up anymore when I do turn the key the lights come on but when I try to start the car up I get a clicking noise, the radio kept going in and out also. Now my o2 sensors and tripping. I've had to change the egr valve because it kept getting stuck in open position and I also changed the belt”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“My ignition switch and cylinder kept turning my car off when I started it. Also while I was driving the car would just cut off..now it got to the point where I have to replace the piece. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“I was driving on a residential street and realized I was going the wrong way. I turned left to make a u-turn and drove onto the easement (dirt). When I turned the steering wheel to the left all the way, both airbags deployed. I was burned by the chemicals over the left side of my neck and chest, left ear and inside left wrist. I was traveling less than 5 mph while making this turn. The passenger airbag knocked my window camera off and broke it and sent part of a handheld fan clipped to the passengers visor, into my head and ended up in the backseat. I did not hit anything as it was just dirt.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact had trouble starting the vehicle and the anti-theft system warning indicator illuminated. After ten minutes, the vehicle was operable. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice a month. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *ln consumer stated had to keep key in ignition for 10 minutes in a position not good not safe, chance of battery dying. I'm also afraid theft system light will come on and lock car up while driving. Updated 7/25/18*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the auto theft system independently functioned and caused the vehicle to stall without warning. After 10 to 15 minutes, the vehicle was operable again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle passkey sensor and ignition switch were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FASTENERS THAT SECURE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TIE BAR WERE OMITTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG MODULE FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE FASTENERS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL ANY FASTENERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 443 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.