1997 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 693 complaints
693
Total Complaints
82,750mi
Median Mileage
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Top Issue
34
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
57,850
25th Percentile
82,750
Median Mileage
107,462
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
46
Electrical System
31
Rack And Pinion
29
Disc
26
Rotor
25
Engine
24
Front
17
Headlights
17
Ignition
16
Linkages
15
Severity Assessment
34
Crashes
0
Fires
19
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK"
"SWITCH WHICH ACTIVATES HIGH BEAM LIGHTS DOES NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY. HAS TO HOLD IN POSITION TO HAVE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING. *AK"
"THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LOCKING WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
46 complaints
25th: 72,489 mi
Median: 74,000 mi
75th: 125,358 mi
Electrical System
31 complaints
25th: 90,000 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 128,465 mi
Rack And Pinion
29 complaints
25th: 73,000 mi
Median: 80,653 mi
75th: 106,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
FL: 48
CA: 46
TX: 45
OH: 38
NC: 32
IL: 32
NY: 28
MD: 27
MI: 26
IN: 26
Who Files Complaints?
47.5%
Original Owners
52.5%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (6)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Ignition
Campaign 14V400000 | 03/07/2014
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Pressure Relief Devices
Campaign 07E021000 | 12/03/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Rack And Pinion
Campaign 03V527000 | 11/12/2003
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.
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-
Linkages
Campaign 01V068000 | 08/03/2001
REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
Frontal
Campaign 97V107000 | 28/06/1997
IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, THE MODULE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRIKING AND INJURING AN OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG MODULE FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE FASTENERS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL ANY FASTENERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28