1997 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu most often write about the steering rack and pinion, with many complaints noting the problem recurred even after the recall repair was performed. Brake wear, anti-theft system starting problems, and repeated intake manifold gasket coolant leaks are also widely described, and many of these reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering rack and pinion noise, stiffness, or lock-up

   • 79 complaints (18%)
   • median 88,010 mi at 8.1 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2020

   Owners describe a knocking noise when turning or going over bumps, difficulty turning the wheel, and in some cases the wheel briefly locking. Several complaints note that the rack and pinion assembly was replaced more than once, and that the failure came back weeks or months after the recall repair. Some dealers told owners the vehicle was not covered by the recall, or that parts were unavailable. Reported from about 33,000 to 240,000 miles, with most reports in the 60,000 to 130,000 mile range.

   Recall 03V5270002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 03V527000 was performed and whether the rack and pinion or gear assembly has been replaced since. Listen for knocking while turning or over bumps and check for power steering leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on my way home, and I made a right turn into my neighborhood and when I began to turn left into the curve my steering wheel was turning but my car continued to go straight into a neighbor's yard causing me to slam on brakes and hit a hill! I got my car checked out that next morning and found that it was my rack and pinion that has caused this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10644258, filed 2014-10, 201,000 miles

   “When driving my 1997 chevy Malibu, I turned left and the steering wheel locked. I almost crashed into a parked car due to the fact that I couldn't move the steering wheel at all. When I tried getting the steering wheel to move again, it wouldnt budge right but when trying left it would make a hissing sound, like air pressure being released. This happened at 10pm and I had passengers in the vehicle, this could have been catastrophic. This happened suddenly with no warning whatsoever. I am going back to the dealer asap.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052314, filed 2004-01, 64,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Anti-theft (Passlock) system blocks starting

   • 33 complaints (7%)
   • median 84,500 mi at 9.6 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2021

   Owners describe the theft warning light coming on and the engine not cranking or cutting fuel, often after a short stop. Waiting about ten minutes sometimes lets the car start again, and several owners say the problem returned repeatedly. Dealers and independent shops replaced the ignition switch, passlock sensor, or lock cylinder, sometimes at owner expense, and some owners report the manufacturer declined reimbursement. Reported from about 58,000 to 130,000 miles, mostly in everyday stop-and-restart use.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or passlock sensor has been replaced, and try several short off-and-restart cycles during a test drive to see whether the theft light appears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1997 chevy Malibu. Recently, the anti-theft light has been coming on and disabling the engine. There is no fix for this problem per the dealership and the only option I have is to disconnect the battery and reconnect it. This isn't ever convenient and is a major safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10312785, filed 2010-02, 135,000 miles

   “I am submitting this complaint for my mother. Her 1997 Chevrolet has had two instances of problems with the anti-theft controller. Both occurrences has required major work at the dealership in order for her car to start. The first time this occurred was a couple of years ago, and after paying almost $400 the dealership appeared to have fixed the problem. Now once again this same problem has occurred and cost her another $400. It's only been a couple of years between the two instances. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098466, filed 2004-11, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rapid brake pad and rotor wear

   • 117 complaints (26%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2020

   Owners describe going through pads and rotors repeatedly, in some cases every few thousand miles to a couple of years. Some complaints mention the ABS light coming on or the pedal going to the floor while braking. Owners report that dealers either replaced the parts or told them the wear was normal for the car. Spread across a wide mileage range, with several owners noting repeat replacement well under 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check pad and rotor thickness and ask for service records showing when the brakes were last done. Watch for an ABS light on the dash and for a soft or long pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I would like to get a replacement,discount or free service on my 1997 Malibu. I've had my car since 2004 and had to get another motor in 2005 which is needed now .this car has put me down a lot not only problems with the motor but the ignition locked up and I had to replace that as well as the brakes and rotors that last about 2 or 3 months. I also have a problem with the lights not working properly they only work on high beam. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10227398, filed 2008-05, 74,000 miles

   “I bought a 1997-Malibu ls brand new. Before it turned 14,000 miles had to have work done on brakes. Before even turning 30,000 miles I had to replace a complete brake job, (2nd set) tires, water pump, wheel cylinders, my head lights pop on, and I have a little over 33,000 miles.the dealer were I bought the car said unless they see the lights pop on.they could do nothing. Gm sent out a recall. Which I did take my car into dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10080895, filed 2004-07, 14,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket coolant leak

   • 27 complaints (6%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2010

   Owners report coolant pooling under the engine, a sweet smell, low coolant that needs topping up, and overheating after highway driving. Repair shops typically replaced the intake manifold gasket, and several owners say the same leak returned after the repair, sometimes more than once. Reported from about 27,000 to 100,000 miles, with several repeat failures in the 50,000 to 90,000 mile range.

   What to check: Look for coolant residue around the intake manifold and under the engine, check the coolant level and color, and ask whether the intake gasket has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intake manifold gasket leaks on my 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The local Chevrolet dealer verified this problem with my car and recommended gasket replacement at a cost of $585. Mileage is only 46,000. I must continue to add coolant at regular intervals otherwise engine will overheat.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062633, filed 2004-03, 40,000 miles

   “I have had to replace the intake manifold gasket twice on the car already. The last repair was in march of 2004. It is only three months from the last replacement, and it is leaking anti freeze again. I would repair the car, but apparently it is not going to do any good. Each repair was over four hundred dollars. There has got to be some kind of major defect with this part. I have only owned the car for four years and it only has 81,000 miles on it, and yet this is the third time the gasket has failed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080546, filed 2004-07, 27,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or cross over

   • 25 complaints (6%)
   • median 96,500 mi at 7.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2013

   Owners describe the wipers stopping, crossing over each other, or failing to move during rain, leaving poor visibility. In several complaints the wiper pivot or linkage was the part replaced, and owners say the dealer told them their vehicle was excluded from the wiper recall by VIN. Mostly reported between about 90,000 and 100,000 miles, often in rain or snowy weather.

   Recall 01V068000

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed and watch for uneven motion or crossing. Ask whether the wiper linkage or pivot housing has been replaced and whether the vehicle was included in recall 01V068000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 01v068000 concerning windshield wiper arm. Front windshield wipers stopped operating during inclement conditions. Dealer was notified, but dealer informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107008, filed 2005-03, 96,000 miles

   “Windshield wipers are experiencing the same defect as stated in recall # 01 v 068 000, but this vehicle not included in recall due to VIN. Incident dated to be corrected when the evoq is returned. Per aaj. 7/7/04.”

   NHTSA complaint #10022334, filed 2003-06, 97,000 miles

Buying note. On a car this old, condition and records matter more than the label, so have a pre-purchase inspection look at the steering rack, brakes, and cooling system. Confirm which open recalls have been completed and ask for paperwork on any repeat repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.