1997 Chevrolet Malibu

▲ Better than typical
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 566 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1509 complaints 2010: 1357 complaints 2011: 976 complaints 2011 2012: 904 complaints 2013: 834 complaints 2014: 349 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 834 complaints 2016 2017: 696 complaints 2018: 687 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 190 complaints 2021: 74 complaints 2021 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 49 complaints 2024: 24 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025
1997: 443 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002566
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101357
2011976
2012904
2013834
2014349
2015267
2016834
2017696
2018687
2019188
2020190
202174
202286
202349
202424
20257

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS/MASTER CYLINDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990217

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS BRAKES AND ANTI THEFT WOULD COME ON FREQUENTLY. FINALLY THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. *DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20030321

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..

NHTSA ODI report, 20200427

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 25 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970715 — air bags

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.

Campaign 97V107000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000222 — PE (closed 20000712)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

I 20000327 — EA (closed 20010809)

STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT

I 20000712 — EA (closed 20010306)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

R 20010814 — visibility

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, MASSACHUSE

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 DA

Campaign 01V068000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011114 — PE (closed 20020404)

STEERING RACK AND PINION

I 20020404 — EA (closed 20021210)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

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 BEARI

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.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040707 — RQ (closed 20050113)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V107000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V068000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.