Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Malibu

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 693 owner complaints on file.

Chevrolet Malibu, 1997–2003 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2003 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V068000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
129,427
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-08-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V107000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
16,099
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-28
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FASTENERS THAT SECURE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TIE BAR WERE OMITTED.

Safety risk

IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, THE MODULE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRIKING AND INJURING AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4674,000 mi
Electrical system31100,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2980,653 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc26—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2515,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2475,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1714,000 mi
Suspension: front178,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1685,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1593,986 mi
Air bags: frontal14100,000 mi
Suspension1450,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1340,000 mi
Steering13146,534 mi
Tires1374,000 mi
Unknown or other1360,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1195,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11—
Exterior lighting: brake lights11187,000 mi
Air bags1083,501 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1078,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch98,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads888,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)8—
Suspension: front: control arm840,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer896,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe754,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device764,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system712,000 mi
Suspension: rear7—
Vehicle speed control7—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator682,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor6—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Electrical system: wiring5361,620 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner595,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.5—
Power train: automatic transmission557,800 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly584,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic510,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections5—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack564,000 mi
Structure: body5158,160 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls5—
Engine468,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap4125,358 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Tires: tread/belt4—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system340,000 mi
Exterior lighting395,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch355,900 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3—
Fuel/propulsion system3—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor3—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3—
Vehicle speed control: linkages3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Electrical system: horn2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2187,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Seat belts2107,000 mi
Seats2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor2—
Service brakes, air: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Structure: frame and members250,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2107,616 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Vehicle speed control: cables295,797 mi
Visibility/wiper2142,200 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module117,026 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert193,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control133,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: disc1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Structure1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Suspension: front: hub1185,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1109,482 mi
Wheels114,000 mi
Wheels: hub1—

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

All Chevrolet Malibu recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.