10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 36,256 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.
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
- Gastonia, NC, USA
Was driving on interstate when car completely shut off, lost all power, no power steering or power brakes. Second time, came to a stop on city street and car shut off again, no power, no power steering or power brakes again. Car had to be towed. This happened after I paid modern Chevrolet to fix the issue which ignition switch was found to be at fault. (NHTSA reference number-14V400000) affected number- 5,877,718
- Burlington, NC, USA
My ignition switch and cylinder kept turning my car off when I started it. Also while I was driving the car would just cut off..now it got to the point where I have to replace the piece.
- St Louis, MO, USA
I have had to change the passenger caliper and rotors twice because the bolts for the caliper keeps popping out and the bolts for the bracket keeps popping out.. my windshield wiper on the passenger side went out last month..last night the car wouldn't start up anymore when I do turn the key the lights come on but when I try to start the car up I get a clicking noise, the radio kept going in and out also. Now my O2 sensors and tripping. I've had to change the egr valve because it kept getting stuck in open position and I also changed the belt
- Saint Louis, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact had trouble starting the vehicle and the anti-theft system warning indicator illuminated. After ten minutes, the vehicle was operable. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice a month. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Consumer stated had to keep key in ignition for 10 minutes in a position not good not safe, chance of battery dying. I'm also afraid theft system light will come on and lock car up while driving. Updated 7/25/18
- Okeana, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
- Feather Falls, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the auto theft system independently functioned and caused the vehicle to stall without warning. After 10 to 15 minutes, the vehicle was operable again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle passkey sensor and ignition switch were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
- Lindenhurst, NY, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft system engaged without warning and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 130,000.
- Los Angelos, CA, USA
1997 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition cylinder lock and switch recall repairs and seeks reimbursement. Updated 11/24/15
- Bergenfield, NJ, USA
1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The consumer states that the auto would not start or would continue to run after the key was removed from the ignition. The consumer stated the vehicle left her stranded during the months of may, June, and July. The ignition lock cylinder was finally replaced.
- Rock Hill, SC, USA
1997 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch cut off issues. The ignition switch was replaced at a cost of $400 and is seeking reimbursement. Also, the outer and inner tie rods were replaced.
- Worcester, MA, USA
Car goes into lockdown frequently because of the theft alert system and you have to wait 10 minutes before the car will start. I believe this is a safety concern and potential hazard to anyone is operating this vehicle. I called dealership to discuss this problem and there reply is "well the car is old and you need to see about purchasing another one". I got this reply in 2007. I have also researched it on the internet and found that this is a common problem in Chevy Malibu's, which to me constitutes a manufacturing defect as well as a safety concern.
- Topeka, KS, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was having the vehicle serviced and when the battery was disconnected, the fuel gauge needle became stuck. The failure occurred twice. A private mechanic was able to repair the vehicle after the first failure. The dealer was contacted about the failure and advised the contact that the failure could have happened due to a spike in voltage when the battery was reconnected with the key left in the run position. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 126,930.
- Norwalk, CT, USA
Anti theft system arms and disarms randomly, causing the car to not start or stall out.
- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
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.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The light remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
- Raeford, NC, USA
The car has a theft system in it which on numerous occasions doesn't let me start the car. It is a 1997 Chevy Malibu.
- Mount Sinai, NY, USA
I have a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu and my sister has a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. We both experience the same instances with our vehichles. The check engine light will come on frequently, the ABS brake light will come one frequently. It happens to my car, the 97 Chevrolet Malibu every other time I turn on my car. I have to turn it off, and then restart it and then the lights go off. When the light is on, the ABS brakes do not work. My sister got her 1997 Chevrolet Venture looked at and fixed and they said that it was a sensor. I find it odd that we both have the same problems. Is there a recall on any electrical device or sensor? please let me know.
- Little Chute, WI, USA
My first issue is with the lights on the Malibu. My light developed condensation in them which in the rear caused the light to glow dim, and caused E to get pulled over on a number of times. In the front it has caused the glass shield to fog causing me to fail vehicle inspection. There have are many other electrical malfunctions on my car such as the theft lock system, the power moon roof, the manufacturer's cd player, the headlight control switch. Then it has a problem with emissions. The headliner is falling off the ceiling.
- Terrell, TX, USA
- Gastonia , NC, USA