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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,000 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 lights problems

lights problem

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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #11

Feb 042007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,000 miles

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

I was driving my car on the byway and took the interstate merge lane while increasing my speed to merge into traffic I felt a snap in my steering wheel and gas pedal, I then lost the dash and the car immediately overheated, I had no real power to turn the wheel and the gas pedal was a loose push. Being that I had merged onto the interstate when this occurred I had to drive an additional 5 miles to the next exit. Not everyone has a cell phone. When I got to the next exit I was almost unable to turn the wheel enough to get it into the nearest parking lot, it was harder to turn than my first truck a 1959 Ford twin I beam pickup. I fortunately didn't hit any one or anything. Upon raising my hood after parking the car I am appalled to see that the tensioner pulley and one of the idler pulleys are gone and my serpentine belt is shredded. I have replaced the parts but since then I also found that within 5 miles the "dreaded" gaskets that so many people have complained about, and mine we already eating fluids in sipps before this, were gone. I have replaced the broken pulleys serpentine belt alternator waterpump and gaskets not a month later the other idler pulley that was unaffected in the first incident went. When the first two were replaced that dreaded squeaking stopped for about 3 days and started back up again. Something must not be straight for me to have to keep replacing the moving parts that run on the serpentine belt and everytime one of them goes you loose your power steering and the car is hard to turn. Not only that but the tail lights would be a better place for a gold fish than a light bulb. Everytime it rains, or snows I have to replace tail lights. This car is the bane of my existence. I have the first idler pulley part still the rest of them were lost to the highway the thing is melted.

- Mission, KS, USA

problem #10

Oct 272004

Malibu

  • miles
Exterior brake tail lights are constantly blowing out. Have replaced bulbs at my own expense four times in the last year. Today I was pulled over by the police and issues a warning because it has blown out yet again. Lost of condensation is gettin inside the lamp itself.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #9

Jun 022004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver's side brake light blows every time it rains or there is water in the light - I have checked the lens for cracks and/or damages there are none - I have replaced the light 12 times in 4 months.

- Walbridge, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 172002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles

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

Brake lights went out at unknown time to driver resulting in rear end collison by another automobile. Instrument panel went black and emitted a black smoke resulting in unoperative use of any fan/heat/defrost..main instrument of power windows on driver side operated enough to roll down windows but not roll up drivers side resulting in ice/snow/rain buildup. Alternator went out 4 times resulting in power failure on highway resulting in crash into guard rail. Please provide us with any information to protect our family and prevent any future accidents..thank you very much. Nlm

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #7

Jan 011998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that the right brake light keeps going out. The dealer has ruled out the fuse or bulb. When bulb is wiggled light comes back on. The dealer has no remedy. Nlm

- Aurora, IL, USA

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problem #6

Jun 292001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Rear brake light housing assembly is melted on both the left and right side of the vehicle.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #5

Dec 112000

Malibu

  • miles

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

Broken brake light - Chevrolet is aware of bad circuit behind the light panel.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #4

Sep 132000

Malibu

  • miles
Left brake lights shorted out due to water in tail lamp assembly

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #3

Apr 021998

Malibu

  • miles
Brake light bulbs failed. Mjs

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 201999

Malibu

  • miles
We have had numerous things repaired or replaced on this car. Everything from the carpet to the radio to warped rotors. We are currently trying to "get out of" our lease due to the number of problems that we are experiencing. It's become quite a nuisance to have and we are dissappointed and even angry at the fact that these many problems have gone uninvestigated by the dealer that we take it to for repairs. Fortunately, there have been no serious malfunctions with the car causing accidents. We have an extensive list of repairs done to the car starting less than six months from the date of purchase. To date, we have had this car serviced for repairs on average, once every six weeks.

- Norwood, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 031998

Malibu

  • miles
Right rear brake light socket and bulb melted due to the heat generated inside the unit.

- Hastings, MI, USA

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