1997 Chevrolet Malibu

IGNITION SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

Incident Mar 10, 2016

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.

Incident Jan 4, 2016

I WAS DRIVING IN NEW BERN WHERE I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT BUSTED MY TIRE. I MADE A POLICE REPORT. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ONLY GOING 3-5 MPH WASN'T ABLE TO GET GOOD PICTURE OF TIRE IT'S STILL ON THE RIM

Incident Nov 8, 2015

1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK AND SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD UPDATED 11/24/15*JB

Incident May 26, 2009

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. *TR

Incident Feb 27, 2015

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. *JB

Incident May 22, 2014

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS SEPTEMBER 2014. GM RECALL 14350. IGNITION SHUT OFF PROBLEM. GM ADVISED ME BY LETTER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR BY OCT 1, 2014. COMPLIED WITH GM REQUEST ON OCT 1, 2014, BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT GM HAD NOT SENT PARTS FOR REPAIR AND TO CHECK BACK IN ONE MONTH. COMPLIED WITH DEALER REQUEST AND RECONTACTED DEALER ON NOV 10, 2014 FOR REPAIR. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT GM STILL HAD NOT SENT PARTS AND THAT MY NAME WOULD BE ADDED TO A CALL BACK LIST. AS OF THIS DATE, NOV 21, 2014 HAVE NOT HAD A CALL BACK FROM DEALER. *TR

Incident Oct 1, 2014

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. *JB

Incident Oct 1, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME, AND I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHEN I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT INTO THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND HIT A HILL! I GOT MY CAR CHECKED OUT THAT NEXT MORNING AND FOUND THAT IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION THAT HAS CAUSED THIS. I KNEW MY CAR HAD A RECALL SO I DECIDED TO SEARCH RECALLS FOR MY CAR (YEAR MAKE AND MODEL) I SAW WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION WHERE IF IT WENT OUT YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT ONLY RIGHT. I CONTACTED THE GM CORPORATE OFFICE AND STATED AS SUCH AND THEY SAID THAT WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY SPECIFIC VIN # SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. IS THIS POSSIBLE SEEMING AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART ALREADY ON 97 AND 98 CHEVY MALIBU'S? *TR

Incident Oct 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO FLIP AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Incident Mar 31, 2014

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.

Incident Dec 26, 2013

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING), RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR AND WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, EXTREME FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER INDICATED THAT SOMEONE DAMAGED THE SUBFRAME AND BOLTS ALONG WITH THE QUARTER PANELS BEING RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BOLTS, SUBFRAME AND THE QUARTER PANELS WHICH WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER PROVIDED AN INTERIM FIX OF WELDING THE BRACKETS TO THE FRAME AND WITHIN WEEKS THE COMPONENTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE BOLTS WERE BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE STEERING RACK DUE TO THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,160. DYD

Incident May 29, 2014

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. *JS

Incident Apr 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPERS CROSSED OVER EACH OTHER AND STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT THEN MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND MANUALLY DISLODGED THE WIPERS HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LINKAGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,200.

Incident Dec 26, 2012

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. *TR

Incident Oct 2, 2006

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.

Incident Oct 22, 2009

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ARMS AND DISARMS RANDOMLY, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START OR STALL OUT. *TR

Incident May 3, 2011

INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 CHEVY MALIBU HAS STARTED TO GO BAD I KNOW ITS THE LOWER GASKET I CALLED CHEVY AFTER SEEING SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD CHEVY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT DUE TO IT BEING OVER TEN YEARS OLD WELL IT SEEMS LIKE WITH WAS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS THEY SEALED THE MANIFOLD AT THE FACTORY I THINK GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS ITEM ONCE FREE OF CHARGE PER CAR ALSO MY RACK AND PINION SEEMS TO STICK ON MY LEFT SIDE I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHECKED THE RACK AND PINION SEEMS THE BALL BEARING WANTING TO COME OUT OR IS GONE I TOLD GM I DON'T THINK THEY REPLACED IT WHEN THEY RECALLED IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE FIRST OWNER DID BUT WONT SEND ME PAPERWORK ON THE REPAIR OR THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE WORK. *TR

Incident Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TIRE SHOP AND AFTER INSPECTING IT THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS WARPED AND HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE BRAND NAME WAS LARAMIE, MODEL, PERFORMER HP, SIZE 235/60R15. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,598.

Incident Oct 3, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH AND ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL SPEED BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING OVER THE SPEED BUMPS THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ANTI-THEFT PATH LOCK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Incident Jun 27, 2010

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. *TR

Incident Feb 20, 2010

CAR ENGINE OVERHEATING NOT DUE TO THERMOSTAT OR WATER PUMP. *TR

Incident Sep 17, 2007

I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU (54,000) MILES THAT SEIZED UP IN TRAFFIC DUE TO ANTIFREEZE IN THE OIL. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE (DEXA-COOL) USE BY GM HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CAUSING PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES BY EATING AWAY THE GASKETS, WATER PUMPS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ENGINE COOLING COMPONENTS. I?M NOT ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT SINCE MY PROBLEM HAPPENED LONG AFTER THE CLOSING DATE. I FEEL A NATIONAL RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY NHTSA. *TR

Incident Apr 17, 2009

THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU 3.1L. *TR

Incident Jan 12, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PIVOT HOUSING FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WIPERS TO FAIL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AND THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE CONTACT PAID $380.68 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,986. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB

Incident Dec 22, 2008

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. *TR

Incident Sep 12, 2008

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.

Incident Aug 25, 2008

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. *TR

Incident Aug 13, 2008

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! *TR

Incident Mar 1, 2008

SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN A COMPLETE STOPPED POSITION THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE STILL BEING DEPRESSED AND COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I QUICKLY TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE STRUCK ME. TROOPERS AND OTHER PERSONAL CHECKED MY BRAKES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ANY BRAKES. NO BRAKE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO THIS. I WAS SEVERELY STRUCK BY THE OTHER VEHICLE WHICH COMPLETELY TURNED THE DIRECTION OF MY VEHICLE AND CAUSED TOTAL DAMAGE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD, THE OTHER DRIVE WAS CITED FOR HIS HIGH-SPEED HIT TO MY VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND IS A GREAT CONCERN OF MINE AT THIS POINT IN TIME AS WELL AS THE BRAKE FAILURE. I RECEIVED NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2007 FROM GM THAT THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT OF A PENDING DISTRICT COURT CASE (DELMAS FORD, EL AL. V. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, CASE NO. CJ-2002-424) WHICH MEANT THAT MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE SEAN BY A AUTHORIZED CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THE 1997 CHEVY MALIBU'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE REPROGRAMMED. THIS REFERRED TO TSB #07-09-41-006 DATED AUGUST 2007. I HAD THE VEHICLE SEEN AS SOON AS THERE WAS AN OPEN APPOINTMENT ON JANUARY 7, 2008 AT RANDY MARION CHEVROLET PONTIAC BUICK. SO, UPON THIS ACCIDENT TODAY, I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AFTER ALREADY HAVE THEM REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS AS WELL AS FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I AM ALSO CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY IN REGARD TO THIS MATTER. I UNDERSTAND THERE WERE OTHER ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS ISSUE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING AT ODD TIMES. AFTER A NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF THIS CASE AND HAVING THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS CHECKED AND FIXED AS INDICATED, I AM A FEARFUL AND CONCERNED CONSUMER OF THIS INCIDENT AS I HAVE TOTAL VEHICLE LOSS AND SUFFICIENT DAMAGES. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEFINITELY WORK.......THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL AS WELL AS THE BRAKES LETTING GO MID STOPLIGHT. *TR

Incident Apr 21, 2008

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. *TR

Incident Feb 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILS TO TURN PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE FAILURE ANY FURTHER; HOWEVER, IT IS THE SAME FAILURE STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

Incident Nov 20, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2004 REGARDING THE LOWER RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HIS FATHER, A MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DECLARED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO BE THE LOWER RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 243,831. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

Incident Apr 1, 2006

I HAVE OWNED MY MALIBU SINCE IT WAS NEW IN 1997. IN ITS LIFETIME IT HAS HAD 4 OR 5 SETS OF ROTORS AND AT LEAST 7 SETS OF BRAKE PADS. IT IS NOW READY FOR A NEW SET OF ROTORS AND BRAKES. THE LAST TIME THESE WERE REPLACED ON THE CAR WAS 2 YEARS AGO. GM KNEW ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE NO ONE HAS GOTTEN KILLED FROM THE PROBLEM. DO I HAVE TO DIE IN A WRECK BEFORE SOMEONE LISTENS?? 2 YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD IT FIXED I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME, BUT NO, THE BRAKES AND ROTORS STILL DON'T FIT MY CAR RIGHT OR THEY WOULDN'T WEAR LIKE THEY DO. GM NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON MY CAR. THEY SEEM TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE 2000 MODELS JUST FINE. *JB

Incident Oct 10, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE AND NOTICED SOME ON THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. THIRTY DAYS LATER THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. ONCE AGAIN, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *AK

Incident Jun 1, 2005

NOTICED A HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEEL. NOISE GREW LOUDER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. DETERMINED IT TO BE THE WHEEL HUB/BEARING. THE HUB/BEARING WAS REPLACED. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE 3 ON LF AND 1 ON RF WHEEL.*AK

Incident Jan 7, 2007

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!*JB

Incident Sep 10, 2005

PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM CENTENNIAL CHEVROLET, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG. EVEN AFTER A MECHANIC HAD IT PERSONALLY AFTER A FEW DAYS. TO THIS DATE IT IS SLIPPING DRAMATICALLY, AND SINCE THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY IT HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET TWICE! KNOW A FEW OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2400. DOESN'T SEEM QUITE RIGHT TO ME. *JB

Incident Nov 10, 2006

THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT RELIABLE THEY MIGHT WORK ONE TIME AND THE NEXT TIME THEY WONT WORK. THERE IS A LOT OF RATTLING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A WEIRD SOUND WHEN BEING TURNED. *JB

Incident Nov 16, 2006

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU. ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN, IT WAS RAINING, AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF OF THE CAR. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON YOUR SITE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM I HAVE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL FOR MY CAR. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS IF THERE IS A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # IS 01V068000

Incident Dec 10, 2006