1997 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

IN JUNE OF 1999, THE ANTI-THEFT LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PREVENTED CONSUMER FROM STARTING VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IN OCTOBER OF 2001, ANTI-THEFT LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, PREVENTING CONSUMER FROM STARTING VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON AT TIMES, ALSO CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE FUEL FILTER REPLACED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE QUICK RELEASE CONNECTION AT FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED QUICKLY, BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY IT WAS SOME HOW BENT.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215R60-15)

AIRBAG DERM MODULE FAILED, DISABLING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. DEALER AND CHEVROLET DETERMINED FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SHORTING OUT MODULE. DEALER DETERMINED, AND CHEVROLET ADMITTED, THAT WATER CAME IN THROUGH HOLES IN CHASSIS OPENED UP DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF PATCHES AT TIME OF VEHICLE MANUFACTURE. DESPITE THIS, CHEVROLET REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR, DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. FUEL LINE BREAK OCCURED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SPRAYING FUEL OVER CAR EXHAUST SYSTEM AND TRAILING CARS. PASSING MOTORIST MOTIONED ME TO SIDE OF ROAD, HELPING TO PREVENT FIRE/EXPLOSION. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, CHEVROLET NEVER NOTIFIED NHTSA OR INVESTIGATED PROBLEM.*AK

5 DIFFERENT TIMES, VEHICLE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC CAUSING EXTEME ANXIETY AND STRESS, REPLACE THE PCM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, DUE TO CAP CRACKED, REPLACE FUEL CAP, CLEAN CODE ROAD TEST OK. GAS PEDAL LOOSE, REPLACE ACCEL PEDAL SHAFT AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY

ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SPLITTING IN THE GROOVES. TIRE SIZE P215/60R15 , DOT# W2MWAAA278 CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THE TIRES ARE DRY ROTTING.*AKIT IS 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU 4 DR. *ET

PASSENGER SIDE PIVOT HOLDER WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS BROKE SO WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP-THEY SAID THE TRANMISSION WAS BROKE ON BOTH WIPERS-THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES NOT IN MISSOURI. UNFAIR!*AK

THE WINDSHILED WIPER FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (01V-068) DURING A RAINSTORM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. NLM

DEALER REPLACED BOTH CONTROL ARM DUE TO RATTLING AND SQEAKING IN THE FRONT END AS A RESULT THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AFTER 20000 MILES THE NOISE IS BACK. NLM

WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NEEDED, WINDSHIELD WIPER ON PASSENGER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. THERE IS A RECALL LISTED REGARDING PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY. *AK *TT

THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 0 TIRESIZE: 215R60-15)

FOR MONTHS THE AIRBAG MADE NOISES WHEN DRIVING AS AIR WAS SEEPING THROUGH THE RUBBER BORDER. THEN TODAY THE SUNROOF JUST FLEW OFF THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY SO THERE WAS NO WAY OF SALVAGING IT. IT BROKE OFF THE HINGES AND THE SUNROOF WAS NOT OPEN ANYWAY AT ALL. IT WAS THE TYPE THAT YOU COULD EITHER VENT OR SLIDE BACK.*AK

THE RETURN LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE EXHAUST AND RESTS UPON IT. IT GOT HOT AND SUBSEQUENTLY MELTED A HOLE IN THE PRESSURIZED LINES CAUSING ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND NOT HOLD ANY MORE FLUID.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS OR WHEN MAKNG A TURN STEERING WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE, CAUSING ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2,000 MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

STEERING WHEEL COLUMN PUMP BROKE. COULDN'T STEER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AND FOOT REMOVED FROM BRAKES, VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON/OFF. WOULD NEED TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK IT. *AK

REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY IS MELTED ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

ALL SEAT SHOULDER BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF US$100. PLUS LABOR DUE TO THE PLASTIC BREAKING OFF AND THE INTERNAL SPRING SCRATCHING MY HAND. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM RETAINING A SMALL CHILD SAFETY CHAIR.*AK

SERVICE BULLETIN #00-03-10-003B. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/60R15 )

TIRS HAVE CRACKS IN BETWEEN TREADS. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.MY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE HAD A HOLE IN IT.THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH BURNED THROUGH THE INSULATION AND THE LINE.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERIG CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE BECAUSE THE FLUID WAS LEEKING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.I FEEL THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO RIGHT AWAY. MY CAR WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING 11JUNE 2001.

ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS. WHEN CAR IS RE-STARTED THE LIGHT GOES OUT UNTIL ANOTHER SLOW TURN IS MADE. THIS HAPPENS 5-6 TIM.ES A WEEK. *AK

WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS TURNED ON, FUSES IN VEHICLE SHORT OUT, CAUSING ALL GAUGES AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL INCLUDING THE LIGHTS. A PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED COMPRESSOR IN VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT.*AK VEHICLE ALSO HAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK. *SLC

I ALMOST HIT A LARGE NUMBER OF CARS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. ONCE I TIRED TO UP UP THE THE MOUINTAINS AND WHEN I RETURNED, BRAKES WOULD MAKE THE CARD SHAKE AND VIBRATE AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE WEEL AND COULD NOT BRAKE THE CAR. I PRAID AND REDUCED SPEED VIA GEAR, AND THEN I COULD STOP THE CAR, BUT MY CAR WAS SO OUT OF CONTROL THAT I ALMOST WENT OUT OF THE ROAD. I HAVE CHANGED MY ROTORS AND PADS LIKE 10 TIMES AND CALIPERS ONCE WITHIN 20.000 MILES. I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE OVER 5000 COMPAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY BRAKES, WEARING OUT VERY SOON. I HAVE SPENT OVER 3500 DOLARS ON PADS AND BRAKES, WITH AND WITHOUT ORIGINAL PARTS AND NOTHING SEENS TO WORK. EVEN THE DEALER MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE BRAKES IS FINE, BUT FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE, THEY ARE NOT. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR BECOMES UNLOCKED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING ABS BRAKING LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN CONSUMER TURNS VEHICLE OFF.*AK

ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES RAMDOMLY AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT START. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM. THE ROTORS WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY ON THIS CAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE HAVE ALSO HAD SENSORS REPLACED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER TWICE. THOSE ARE JUST THE MAJOR PROBLEMS.*AK

BOTH REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF US$202.49 DUE TO THE PLASTIC COVERING ON THE LATCHPLATE CRACKING AND FALLING OFF. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BELTS WERE PRIMARILY USED TO SECURE CHILD SEATS. I DON'T FEEL THE BELTS ARE OF QUALITY TO SUPPORT CHILD SEATS. I'M ALSO AFRAID THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WILL NOT SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY TO MAKE THEIR RESTRAINTS SAFE AGAIN. THE DEALER TOLD ME WE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BELTS DUE TO THERE NOT BEING A RECALL ON THEM. I ALSO FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD ABSORB THIS COST. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RECALL(01V-068) FAILURE CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS DURING SNOW STORM, CHEVROLET CLAIMS NO RECALL EXISTS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM BROKE. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES IN SALT BELT STATES. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ,IT DOES NOT STOP IN THE SNOW IT SLIDES ABS DOES NOT WORK AND FROM DAY ONE THE DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP ME FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW MY WARRENTY IS UP AND THEY SAY TOO BAD FOR YOU . NICE CAR DEALERSHIP ,NOT! IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS ABS FAILURE. *AK

HORN ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IN USE. ACTS AS IF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS A SHORT IN IT. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKES AND IT WILL MAKES NOISE LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED NINE TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. ONCE AGAIN HAD TO BE REPAIRED, AND DEALER SAID THAT ENGINE HAD BEEN WORN OUT.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD KEEPING VEHICLE FROM STARTING. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE RIGHT SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RACK BOOTS WERE TORN AND REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE METAL IS DEFECTIVE. *SLC

BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD, CAR IS IN SHOP, UNABLE AT THIS TIME TO VERIFY MILAGE AND CAR ID. NOS.

THE STARTER AND IGNITION FAILED CAUSING THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK IN THE START POSITION WITH THE ENGINE RACING, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF NOR COULD THE KEY BE REMOVED, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AT THE DEALER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. NLM

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE OCCURS, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK

AT 19,000 FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED, AND AT 24,000 MILES ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED AGAIN. AT 47,000 MILES FRONT BRAKES, AND 1 ROTOR NEEDED TO REPLACED. AT 71,000 MILES FRONT ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE ROTORS TURNED EVERY 15,000-20000 MILES.*AK

I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS I'VE HAD TO ADD COOLANT TO THE CAR I DID'NT NOTICE ANY LEAKAGE BUT I KEPT AN EYE OUT. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE OIL THE OTHER DAY COOLANT LEAKAGE WAS EVEDENT AND WAS COMING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE LOOSE, YOU COULD MOVE THEM WITH YOUR FINGERS. DEALER COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS 500 DOLLARS.THE TIRE SITUATION IS AS FOLLOWS, 2 SETS OF FIRESTONE AFINNITY TIRE THAT ARE SUPOSSED TO LAST 80000 MILES A SET AND WE CAN ONLY GET AOUT 33000 MILES BOTH SETS HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER AND OF COARSE IT'S NOT THE TIRES IT IS THE CAR SO THEY SAY.I HAVE THEM ROTATED EVERY 6000 MILES AND KEEP THEM INFLATED TO THE PROER SPECS,ALSO HAVE THEM BALANCED AND HAVE THE CAR S ALIGNMENT PERFORMED ANNUALLY. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/60/15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/60/15 )

DISC BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. PADS REPLACED AT 30K MILES. BRAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN RIGHT SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. *AK

CONSUMER HAS REPLACED STEERING FLUID MORE THAN OFTEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

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. THE FRONT TIRES ARE FIRESTONE BUT NEWER. I KNOW THESE TIRES AREN'T ON THE RECALL LIST, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. I THINK FIRESTONE SHOULD REPLACE MY TIRES.*AK (TIRESIZE: P215/60RIS)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/60RIS )

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOT OUT OF SYNC/ CAUGHT AND STOPPED AND STUCK AND STUCK TOGEHTER IN MIDDLE DURING OPERATION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. *AK WIPER TRANSMISSION BROKE, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AT 23350 MILES, HOWEVER TRANSMISSION DID NOT BURN OUT THIS TIME. *SLC

VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING OR GROANING NOISE WHILE STOPPING FROM VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAD BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK