9.6

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
889 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Jul 212003

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
Many problems with my 1997 Malibu, suspension noise/leaky water pump/key agnition, and lock collar. 32600 miles on the car many repairs.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #8

Jun 162003

Malibu

  • miles
Dealer had replaced ignition switch, and problem still recurring.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 092002

Malibu

  • miles
Key will not turn in ignition. Had to replace switch twice.

- Maywood, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 152001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ignition switch went bad keeping vehicle from starting. Dealr has been contacted.

- Hyndman, PA, USA

problem #5

Feb 012000

Malibu

  • miles
I cannot start the car. The key lock loose. Friend had same problem. I put the key into the lock to start the car and the key does not turn. This makes the mileage a guess, as it is electronic and only displayed when the key turns over. Friend said his wife found this problem documented somewhere on the internet but I was unable to find it. Thank you.

- Los Osos, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 251999

(reported on)

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When putting the key into the ignition switch the cylinder will not turn, cause unknown. Dealer replaced the cylinder three times which has not corrected the problem.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #3

Apr 131997

Malibu

  • miles
One month after I leased this vehicle, I began to have an ignition problem with my car. Once the key is inserted into the ignition, it will not turn in the ignition cylinder in order to start the car, the anti-theft light on the dash board flashes and the key cannot be pulled out. The ignition cylinder has been replaced twice by the dealer not including the original one. I have been stranded 7 times. The first three times I was pregnant. The rest of the time, I had my infant son in the car or was on my way to picking him up from day care. When I have called the dealer, they instructed me to wait at least 15 - 30 minutes and if that did not work, then I was to call the towing service. I have been stuck in many parking lots and most recently, on christmas day I was stuck in New York state. I have filed with the state of New Jersey's lemon law unit, and have contacted the manufacturer, per their instruction. I have left several messages with the manufacturer and my "assigned" rep. Has yet to return my phone calls. This has been an extremely frustrating experience because I paying $300 a month for a car that I never know when or if it will not start. I am, particularly, afraid to drive it at night. I cannot comprehend how three different parts, ignition cylinders, can all be defective.

- Convent Station, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 151997

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ignition switch failed.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #1

Jul 151997

Malibu

  • miles
Consumer experiencing ongoing problem with ignition switch. Intermittently the vehicle would start and sometimes would be unable to start. Dealer notified, and replaced and repaired ignition switch, but problem still reoccurring.

- Aurora, IL, USA