1997 Chevrolet Malibu: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 14V4000003 Jul 2014Electrical System / Ignition
• 03V52700011 Dec 2003Steering / Rack and Pinion
• 01V0680008 Mar 2001Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Linkages
• 97V10700028 Jun 1997Air Bags / Frontal

1. 14V400000Received 3 Jul 2014. 5,877,718 units.

   Electrical System / Ignition

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 14350. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Sep 2014.

2. 03V527000Received 11 Dec 2003. 750,283 units.

   Steering / Rack and Pinion

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

   Report filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP.. Manufacturer campaign number 03062. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 5 Feb 2004.

3. 01V068000Received 8 Mar 2001. 129,427 units.

   Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Linkages

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. If a buildup of snow or ice restricts the movement of the passenger side windshield wiper arm, the pivot housing can crack and the wipers will not operate.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace the passenger side windshield wiper pivot housing. Owner notification began august 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

   Report filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP.. Manufacturer campaign number 01014. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Aug 2001.

4. 97V107000Received 28 Jun 1997. 16,099 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fasteners that secure the passenger air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the air bag deploys, the module could separate from the instrument panel striking and injuring an occupant.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect the air bag module for the presence of the fasteners and, if necessary, install any fasteners that may have been omitted.

   Report filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jul 1997.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
• All 1997 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 23.

Complaints that report a crash

19

Complaints that report a fire

0

Injuries in the complaints

11

Deaths in the complaints

2

Date of the newest complaint

19 Oct 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19640
2. 19731
3. 19740
4. 19750
5. 19771
6. 19787
7. 19795
8. 19805
9. 19812
10. 19822
11. 19832
12. 19860
13. 19890
14. 19974
15. 19983
16. 19991
17. 20003
18. 20012
19. 20022
20. 20032
21. 20046
22. 20053
23. 20066
24. 20073
25. 20084
26. 20095
27. 20103
28. 20113
29. 20122
30. 20139
31. 20146
32. 20153
33. 20169
34. 20174
35. 20186
36. 20191
37. 20201
38. 20212
39. 20221
40. 20232
41. 20242
42. 20251

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Chevrolet Malibu: all model years
• Chevrolet: 169 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 1997 Chevrolet MalibuThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?

6,773,527 units in 4 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Chevrolet Malibu have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 66 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Malibu, model years 1964 to 2025. 4 of them name the 1997 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu name most often?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 124 of 653 component mentions, or 189.9 per 1,000. For all 1997 vehicles the figure is 106.3 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu open?

No. Each of the 7 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.