1997 Chevrolet Malibu

Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Risk. REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FASTENERS THAT SECURE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TIE BAR WERE OMITTED.

Risk. IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, THE MODULE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRIKING AND INJURING AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG MODULE FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE FASTENERS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL ANY FASTENERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

Theft light. Car won’t start it’s happened 20 times in the last 6 months. I was driving and theft light caused everything to shut down. This is a dangerous thing that needs to be fixed

Theft light keeps coming on, my car will stop when it happens. This has happened while driving. And will not start. I’ve had the recall fixed years ago that was said to be the reason. It didn’t fix the problem

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

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

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. *TR

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

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND REALIZED I WAS GOING THE WRONG WAY. I TURNED LEFT TO MAKE A U-TURN AND DROVE ONTO THE EASEMENT (DIRT). WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT ALL THE WAY, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS BURNED BY THE CHEMICALS OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK AND CHEST, LEFT EAR AND INSIDE LEFT WRIST. I WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH WHILE MAKING THIS TURN. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG KNOCKED MY WINDOW CAMERA OFF AND BROKE IT AND SENT PART OF A HANDHELD FAN CLIPPED TO THE PASSENGERS VISOR, INTO MY HEAD AND ENDED UP IN THE BACKSEAT. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AS IT WAS JUST DIRT.

TL* 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. *LN 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*JB

TL* 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.

TL* 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.

TL* 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.

1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK AND SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD UPDATED 11/24/15*JB

SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL, HEAD ON. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE AND TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULDN'T BELIEVE THE BAGS AND SEAT BELT FAILED. DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND RECEIVE A CONCUSSION, A V SHAPE CUT IN SCALP REQUIRING 17 STITCHES TO CLOSE AND SEVERE BRUISING ALL OVER. POLICE THINKS HER HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL OR POSSIBLY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. SLACK IN SEAT BELT ALLOWED TOO MUCH BODY MOVEMENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILURE CAUSE THE HEAD TRAUMA. ENTIRE FRONT END OF CAR IS DESTROYED SO SENSORS SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATE. *TR

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. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEFT HER STRANDED DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY, JUNE, AND JULY. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS FINALLY REPLACED. *JB

1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH CUT OFF ISSUES. *TGW THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.00 AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. ALSO, THE OUTER AND INNER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME, AND I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHEN I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT INTO THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND HIT A HILL! I GOT MY CAR CHECKED OUT THAT NEXT MORNING AND FOUND THAT IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION THAT HAS CAUSED THIS. I KNEW MY CAR HAD A RECALL SO I DECIDED TO SEARCH RECALLS FOR MY CAR (YEAR MAKE AND MODEL) I SAW WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION WHERE IF IT WENT OUT YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT ONLY RIGHT. I CONTACTED THE GM CORPORATE OFFICE AND STATED AS SUCH AND THEY SAID THAT WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY SPECIFIC VIN # SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. IS THIS POSSIBLE SEEMING AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART ALREADY ON 97 AND 98 CHEVY MALIBU'S? *TR

TL* 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SENSOR WERE BOTH REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE PISTON SLAP MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BOLTS, SUBFRAME AND THE QUARTER PANELS WHICH WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER PROVIDED AN INTERIM FIX OF WELDING THE BRACKETS TO THE FRAME AND WITHIN WEEKS THE COMPONENTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE BOLTS WERE BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE STEERING RACK DUE TO THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,160. DYD

I ONCE OWNED THE CHEVY MALIBU. INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. THREE TIMES WHEN I HIT A BUMP MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I BROUGHT IT TO DAVIDSON CHEVROLET IN MALDEN MASS. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE DID SUGGEST THAT I REMOVE EXTRA STUFF OFF MY KEYRING. I NOLONGER OWN THIS CAR. I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE CHEVY COBALT IGNITIONS. FROM MY EXPERIENCE, I FEEL THAT YOUR CURRENT RECALL MAY NOT BE REACHING AS FAR AS IT SHOULD. *JS