1997 Chevrolet Malibu

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #14V400000July 3, 20145,877,718 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition

  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.

  If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V527000December 11, 2003750,283 vehicles affected

  steering: rack and pinion

  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.

  If this occurs, the pinion shaft Can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver Can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V068000March 8, 2001129,427 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

  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.

  Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V107000June 28, 199716,099 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fasteners that secure the passenger air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted.

  If the air bag deploys, the module could separate from the instrument panel striking and injuring an occupant.

  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.

Other model years

• 1997
• 1998 976
• 1999 789
• 2000 922
• 2001 721
• 2002 567
• 2003 569
• 2004 1,147
• 2005 975
• 2006 1,118
• 2007 977
• 2008 989
• 2009 1,510
• 2010 1,363
• 2011 978
• 2012 907
• 2013 837
• 2014 351
• 2015 270
• 2016 841
• 2017 705
• 2018 700
• 2019 193
• 2020 199
• 2021 90
• 2022 99
• 2023 72
• 2024 44