1997 Chevrolet Malibu Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 443 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,080miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the 443 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,080 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.
“Tl- the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03v527000 (steering), received the recall repair and weeks later the failure recurred. The contact stated that while making a turn, extreme force had to be applied to the steering wheel and the vehicle was unstable to drive. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer who refused to repair the vehicle. The authorized dealer indicated that someone damaged the subframe and bolts along with the quarter panels being rusted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10630718, filed 2014-09, 158,160 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the frame separated from the vehicle causing it to flip and crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained head and neck injuries which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10639799, filed 2014-09, 50,000 miles“I went to the dealershop for complaints of squeaking in tires and t2222he undercarriage felt lose over small bumps. I got the steering gear assembly replaced for $1,200 and declined the other repairs at this time. With the car only being 3 years old, I shouldn't have any major repairs! I have already contacted customer service. With the new steering assembly, the undercarriage still feels loose. I can feel it under my feet. To add to the problem, the 1 and 2 blowers don't work! They worked fine when I first took the car in! When it came out of the shop, they didn't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #720714, filed 2000-03“Normal drving conditions. He entire visor and its hinges on driver's side spontaniously falls off. The end of hinge has sharp plastic spikes which injured the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #10096069, filed 2004-10“Consumer states intermittently the vehicle anti-theft light would come on while driving, within a few seconds it would start to flicker on/off, when this occurs the vehicle would cut off, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Also, consumer states dealer replaced fuse, multifunction switch, dome lamp wiring, ignition lock cylinder, power steering hose, fuel pump, engine mount, heater, left door window switch, right front seat belt, left front door handle cover, and left front door lock switch.”
NHTSA complaint #8009045, filed 2002-05Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 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 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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