Skip to content
TiresPart report

1997 Chevrolet Malibu Tires Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
4%of 443 total for the year
Median mileage
74,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the tires of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 443 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. I took it to the dealer I bought it from a few times.I moved back to indiana and took it to coyle Chevrolet in new albany. …”

NHTSA complaint #10080895, filed 2004-07, 14,000 miles

“We were towing our Malibu behind a motorhome, had just pulled on to i75 after an hour stop at a truck stop. We walked around the vehicle before leaving the truck stop and all tires appeared to be in good condition. Fortunately two passing vehicles motiioned us to pull over. The tire was completely removed from the rim. We took a photograph. (tiresize: p215/60r15)( DOT number: tire size: p215/60r15 )”

NHTSA complaint #736996, filed 2000-11

“Jan 7, 2001 we were driving between 45 to 50mph. My husband said to pull over because we had a flat tire. Two months ago we bought the Malibu used. So I was obvious that the previous owner had those tires put on. We noticed a week later that the front tires needed to be rotated, we did so. So 3000 miles later we had this blowout. The right-rear tire came apart. Usually when you get a flat tire theres a puncher or slow leak. Pieces of the tire came off. I looked at the other tire yesterday and I can see some cracks on it. And those tires aren't bald but worn. …”

NHTSA complaint #738995, filed 2001-01

“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 MPH the vehicle was shaking and vibrating on the rear driver side. The vehicle was taken to a dealer tire shop and after inspecting it they found that the rear driver side tire was warped and had tread separation. The brand name was laramie, model, performer hp, size 235/60r15. The dealer where the tire was purchase was not notified. The manufacturer was called and confirmed based on the DOT number that the tire was not on recall. The failure mileage was 159,598.”

NHTSA complaint #10361180, filed 2010-10, 159,598 miles

Related service bulletins

Tires: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202323%
202211%
202111%
201820%
201710%
201630%
201521%
201431%
2013111%
201220%
201161%
201071%
200960%
200881%
200710%
200650%
200551%
200420%
200341%
2002102%
2001152%
2000334%
19997510%
1998586%
1997174%
1980120%

Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu

Brakes
111 complaints
Electrical system
87 complaints
Steering
80 complaints
Engine cooling
60 complaints
Suspension
55 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaints
Exterior lighting
40 complaints
Air bags
25 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Seat belts
15 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Body 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 31, 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