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3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,692 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Malibu cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #13

Sep 172007

Malibu

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car engine overheating not due to thermostat or water pump.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #12

Sep 122008

Malibu

  • 74,000 miles
Automotive cooling system> vehicle began loosing coolant on driveway. Took vehicle to repair shop. Was informed that vehicles entire cooling system was corroded. And needed to be replaced. The cause was attributed to the use of the coolant dex-cool this was required by General Motors to keep up warranty on the vehicle. Now I find that this was the wrong thing to use and I will be out $1800 in repair work. I believe G.M. should be responsible for the largest part of this expense.

- Eureka, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 142004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Complaint #1 A/C cuts on and off. Complaint #2 suspension knocking, serviced 4 times, still have same problems.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Sep 151997

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. I have had nothing but problems with this car.both dealers said there was nothing I could do as a consumer..I am mad as hell-and feel I was ripped off, and will not recommend to no one to ever buy a Malibu. I had one in 1969. And, it was the best car. When you pay around $25,000 for a new car-you would think you would not have all the brake trouble. I to this day do not feel safe with these brakes. I am a single women and thought by buying a new car I would feel safer. Please check into this. As soon as I can afford to get rid of this car I plan too. I have spent several hundred dollars on out of pocket repairs. Battery-2 brake jobs-ABS brakes-wheel cylinders-roaries-water pump.

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #9

Nov 202003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Brakes gone (again). Been replacing about every 10000 miles. This car has been one thing wrong after another. Already replaced lower control arms at 7500 miles, leaking antifreeze gasket, A/C control head (twice), and the brakes are ongoing.

- Deland , FL, USA

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problem #8

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 #7

Mar 102003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Poor manufacturing and quality of vehicle components.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #6

May 062003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Coolant leaking, engine overheats after highway driving. Brakes and rotors fail consistently within 15000 miles of replacement.

- Fallon, NV, USA

problem #5

Aug 082000

Malibu

  • miles
Consumer stated there was a fluid leak coming from the engine, the dealer replaced the coolant hose, consumer also stated while driving, the vehicle began to vibrate, consumer was informed that 2 of the 3 engine mounts failed, which caused damage to the front exhaust pipe converter.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #4

Aug 082000

Malibu

  • miles
Consumer stated there was a fluid leak coming from the engine, the dealer replaced the coolant hose, consumer also stated while driving, the vehicle began to vibrate, consumer was informed that 2 of the 3 engine mounts failed, which caused damage to the front exhaust pipe converter.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #3

Sep 012001

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this 1997 Malibu with 20,000 miles on odometer in 1998. In one month I noticed coolant system warning light coming on. I added anti freeze and water to system. This would last about a month and I would have to add more coolant. On 2/ 26/2002 the light came on and I added more coolant. I drove about 4 miles and coolant warning light came on again. I checked oil dip stick and it registered about two inches above full. I knew then that water was in my oil. The coolant had never leaked out where I could see it on the ground. I had to pay $430 to have gaskets replaced for the intake manifold. My other problem is that the front disk brakes are wearing out much faster than any car that I have owned. I have replaced two set of front disc pads and have had rotors turned and replaced. I am very light on brakes and have had extremely good ware on other autos. After 2000 miles they are making a noise again. The pads are guarantied for life by the manufacturer.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

problem #2

Jul 161998

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle. (dot number: 0 tiresize: 215R60-15)

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #1

Oct 051999

Malibu

  • miles
Coolant seeps out.

- Pemberton, NJ, USA

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