1997 Model Year

Chevrolet Malibu

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
452
Recalls
1
Crashes
22
Severe
37

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

97V107000 Jun 1997

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 2021

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 da...

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 2021

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...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 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...

Electrical System
Oct 2020

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...

Electrical System
Aug 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 POIN...

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Apr 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 PO...

Air Bags
Dec 2019

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...

Electrical System
Oct 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AF...

Electrical System
Jun 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. T...

Electrical System
May 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 DEAL...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Chevrolet Malibu has 452 complaints and 1 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 22 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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