1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering:rack And Pinion (25) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (25) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc (19)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Malibu model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
98 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-03 · campaign 14V400000 · 5,877,718 vehicles
Defect: 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, 1998-200
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (119)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-02-21 · 17-NA-073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2022-01-14 · PIP4723F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Electrical System 2020-01-31 · PIP4723D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2019-11-22 · PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are delco theftlock. technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. t
Equipment 2019-09-18 · 17NA073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Equipment 2019-09-05 · PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are delco theftlock. technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. t
Showing the 6 most recent of 119 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.