15 of the
693 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu are about the
seat belts — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10691665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anderson, IN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED FAILURES WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE. THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM OFTEN LOCKS UP THE IGNITION, THE HEADLAMP AND TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN THEM, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR SHUTS OFF, AND THE DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPAIR THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10060437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port ST. John, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE PLASTIC LOCKING LATCHPLATE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSANGER SEAT HAVE BROKEN. THE DEALER FIXED THE FIRST PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BROKEN AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WILL COST OVER $100 TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10028841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE IN USE.
NHTSA complaint #10029731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DCCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
LETTER FROM PHYLLIS GIFFORD (FL) OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHO WASA INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN. CONTACTED GMC TO REPAIR/REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELT. REPLY TO ORLANDO FL. DISTRICT OFC ATTEN: JON MILLER STAFF ASSISTANT. *AK *NLM.
NHTSA complaint #10017824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsville, KY
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE TOO SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #10015065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGrand Junction, CO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8023651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CACrash1 injured1 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wallins Creek, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATES INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS IT WOULD START TO FLICKER ON/OFF, WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER STATES DEALER REPLACED FUSE, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, DOME LAMP WIRING, IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, POWER STEERING HOSE, FUEL PUMP, ENGINE MOUNT, HEATER, LEFT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH, RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT, LEFT FRONT DOOR HANDLE COVER, AND LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #8009045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, IL
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT NOT WORKING, ALL FOUR TIRES ARE CRACKING ALL AROUND THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED AND HOOD CABLE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #9005502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
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.
NHTSA complaint #747107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blanchard, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #745162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Satellite Beach, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #719733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwood, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
NHTSA complaint #712439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scott, MOCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELTS UNBUCKLED WHEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. ALSO THEIR WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSEGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #819575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.