95 of the 693 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 88,500 miles.
95
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11433505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11386109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11364879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11323867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11322384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11032630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10862802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10818489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK AND SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD UPDATED 11/24/15
NHTSA complaint #10701600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10659567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10644080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10637571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10579321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10482296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #10442659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ARMS AND DISARMS RANDOMLY, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START OR STALL OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10398827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10312785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU 3.1L.
NHTSA complaint #10254753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*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.
NHTSA complaint #10240773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10238658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A REPLACEMENT,DISCOUNT OR FREE SERVICE ON MY 1997 MALIBU. I'VE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2004 AND HAD TO GET ANOTHER MOTOR IN 2005 WHICH IS NEEDED NOW .THIS CAR HAS PUT ME DOWN A LOT NOT ONLY PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR BUT THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I HAD TO REPLACE THAT AS WELL AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS THAT LAST ABOUT 2 OR 3 MONTHS. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY THEY ONLY WORK ON HIGH BEAM. I CAN'T FIND A MORE REASONABLE MECHANIC THAT'S WILLING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE DUE TO THE TYPE WHICH IS A 2.4 AND A USED MOTOR COST ABOUT HALF THE PRICE OF A NEW ONE. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10227398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10223326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY FIANCE AND I HAVE HAD A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T CRANK. GRADUALLY IT STARTED DOING IT MORE AND MORE. WE'VE HAD INCIDENTS WHERE THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AFTER 10 MINUTES BUT WHEN TRYING TO START IT AGAIN; IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. I'VE ACTUALLY HAD TIMES OF BEING STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS BECAUSE IT WOULD KEEP DOING IT! RIGHT NOW OUR CAR IS AT MY FIANCE'S WORK BECAUSE IT WON'T CRANK AND WE GOT TIRED OF TRYING AFTER 3 HOURS. THIS IS SO ANNOYING! CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM(NOT COUNTING ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THE BRAKES AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM..THAT MEANS THEY SHOULD RECALL IT AND FIX IT. WE DON'T HAVE MONEY LIKE THEY DO AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING IT IN THE SHOP TO BE WORKED ON. I'M CURRENTLY A COLLEGE PELL GRANT RECIPIENT THAT IS GOING TO LOSE MY GRANTS BECAUSE OF THIS LEMON CAR! I WAS ADOPTED BY MY GRANDPARENTS THAT ARE ON SSI AND DISABILITY AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO SEND ME TO SCHOOL. I HOPE THE PEOPLE AT CHEVROLET ARE HAPPY WITH RUINING MY FUTURE! PLEASE HELP ME!!!I NEED MY CAR FIXED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
NHTSA complaint #10185005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED, KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM RESTARTING UNTIL THE DEVICE WAS RESETS WHICH USUALLY TAKES 10 MINUTES OR MORE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PASS LOCK CYLINDER, TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REIMBURSE, OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PART BECAUSE AN UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE MECHANIC HAD PERFORMED WORK ON THE DEVICE. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE DEVICE DISCONNECTED. UPDATED 08/14/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE PASS LOCK SENSOR, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 06/16/06.
NHTSA complaint #10157755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THEN NEXT TIME I TRY TO START CAR IT FLASHES AND I CAN START CAR FROM 10 MINS LIKE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO TRY AFTER 10 MINS AFTER LIGHT STOPS FLASHING. I DO THIS AND THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE NOT BEING ABLE TO START A CAR LEAVING A MOTORIST STRANDED WHERE EVER THEY TURN THERE CAR OFF FOR HOURS AND IN MY CASE 1 1\2 DAYS WITH NO CELL SERVICE TO CALL FOR REPAIR I HAD TO SLEEP IN MY CAR UNTIL ANOTHER MOTORIST PASSED THE FOLLOWING DAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT NORMAL EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS AN ISSUE OF ITS OWN THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM BUT TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED EVERTIME TO THE SHOP TO BE REPROGRAMMED WHICH HAPPENS EVERY 2-3 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10130649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10108185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT FOR MY MOTHER. HER 1997 CHEVROLET HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. BOTH OCCURRENCES HAS REQUIRED MAJOR WORK AT THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER FOR HER CAR TO START. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND AFTER PAYING ALMOST $400 THE DEALERSHIP APPEARED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW ONCE AGAIN THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AND COST HER ANOTHER $400. IT'S ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS BETWEEN THE TWO INSTANCES. I FEEL BASED ON THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO FIX THIS ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. I TOO THINK SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY GM FOR THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10098466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
APRIL 2000, THE PASS LOCK THEFT SYSTEM STRANDED ME THE FIRST TIME WITHIN 30-DAYS OF PAYING CASH FOR MY 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE FIRST 30-DAYS THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THE DEALER SHOP THAN IN MY POSSESSION. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT THAT THEY HAD PUT TOO MUCH MONEY IN CAR ALREADY, NOT GOING TO FIX THEFT SYSTEM AND BRAKES, WHICH WERE COMPLAINTS WITHIN THE 30-DAY WARRANTY. TWO YEARS WITH THEFT SYSTEM DISABLING CAR NUMEROUS TIMES, FINALLY WOULDN'T START AT ALL, I TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER IN ONTARIO OREGON, THEY REPLACED IGNITION ASSEMBLY. LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER I AM STRANDED ONCE AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT START FOR 3-DAYS, WENT TO DEALER IN PAYETTE IDAHO WHERE I PAID CASH FOR THE CAR, THEY AGAIN DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR. ON 5/30/2004 CAR SPENT THE NIGHT IN PARKING LOT, WOULDN'T START. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS 2-COMPLETE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES (ROTORS, PADS, CALLIPERS, ETC.), 6-SETS OF BRAKE PADS, ALL LES SCHWAB WORK. I'VE POURED ALMOST AS MUCH MONEY INTO THE CAR SINCE OWNERSHIP, THAN I PAID FOR THE CAR. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN, WE'VE BEEN STRANDED, LATE FOR SCHOOL, MISSING SCHOOL, LATE FOR WORK, LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF LOST HOURS. I LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING NOW, BECAUSE I'M SCARED THAT MY FAMILY WILL BE STRANDED. I'M SOOO FRUSTRATED WITH CHEVROLET, NO ONE CAN ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS, CHEVROLET OF BOISE, SAID THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A THEFT SYSTEM, WOW THIS HAS ALL BEEN MY IMAGINATION! I HAVE 3-CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN LATE FOR SCHOOL, MISSED SCHOOL, I HAVE LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF MISSING HOURS, EVERYTIME I GET IN IT I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL START. I HAVE RUN OUT OF MONEY TO CONTINUE TO FIX THE SAME THINGS EVERY FEW MONTHS, LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AT $2.09 PER GALLON, MY CHILDREN ARE SCARED OF GOING ANYWHERE AS AM I. PLEASE HELP!!
NHTSA complaint #10074629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.