Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Malibu

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

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.

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.