1997 Chevrolet Malibu Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 443 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the 443 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Passive theft system continually if set off, not allowing engine to run. This has caused many problems from being late to work, to simply missing a movie. In past instances the engine would start after the system reset in ten minutes, this time it just will not start and now we are late to celebrate new years eve with our family.I have had the car looked at by a mechanic, I have looked in Chevrolet repair manuals, and I have even asked the dealer about this, but I can not find an answer on how to fix this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051457, filed 2004-01, 70,000 miles“My thief light starts blinking and my car will not start. This has happened 3 times this past month. I was told it was the passlock to turn car in on position for 10 minutes or until light stops blinking then it would start. This is a safety issues that needs to be fixed before it happens while driving”
NHTSA complaint #11386109, filed 2021-01“Bought car new 4-14-1997----problem car 32750 mi now Chevrolet ran away from this car and so did dealers---kept customer in the dark----waiting for 3 yrs or 36000mi suspension noise on going---rattle---creaking---glunking water pump leak at 23000 miles--fix est.$835.00--29295 mi suspension noisy yet 32655 mi on car. Relaced ignition lock cylinder $532.42---32600 mi replace 4 tires $314.00---32525 mi took 3 years to get brakes up tp par. Suspension still a problem.over all this car has problems from day one. Battery---windshield---poorly built auto. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069826, filed 2004-01, 3,000 miles“Passlock* (theft system) engages not enabling the car to start (gas is cut off to the engine). Chevorlet is replacing ignition lock (believed to be the fix).”
NHTSA complaint #10023764, filed 2003-06, 60,000 miles“I have had three new front control arms put on. Now the rear suspension is bad. The brakes wear out fast because the rotors are junk, they need to be replaced every 15k to 20k miles. The car has 47k miles on it and I have owned it for 20k of those miles and have had the rotors replaced once and they need it again now. The brakes need replaced often as a result of the rotors wearing down so quickly. I don't know why this is but I urge chevy/GM to offer a solution shortly or they will lose a lot of loyal customers. I have spoken to a number of Malibu owners with similar problems.”
NHTSA complaint #722896, filed 2000-05Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 42% |
| 2024 | 9 | 20% |
| 2023 | 14 | 19% |
| 2022 | 29 | 29% |
| 2021 | 31 | 34% |
| 2020 | 46 | 23% |
| 2019 | 37 | 19% |
| 2018 | 153 | 22% |
| 2017 | 148 | 21% |
| 2016 | 177 | 21% |
| 2015 | 35 | 13% |
| 2014 | 54 | 15% |
| 2013 | 89 | 11% |
| 2012 | 62 | 7% |
| 2011 | 75 | 8% |
| 2010 | 87 | 6% |
| 2009 | 75 | 5% |
| 2008 | 52 | 5% |
| 2007 | 18 | 2% |
| 2006 | 28 | 3% |
| 2005 | 35 | 4% |
| 2004 | 21 | 2% |
| 2003 | 16 | 3% |
| 2002 | 21 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 17 | 2% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 22 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
111 complaintsElectrical system
87 complaintsSteering
80 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsTires
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology