IllustrationCOMPLAINT #1 A/C CUTS ON AND OFF. COMPLAINT #2 SUSPENSION KNOCKING, SERVICED 4 TIMES, STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 98 of 443 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports0 fire reports13 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
60 reportsVEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER CONSUMER HAD MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. HAD TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND SOME TIMES HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR TO RESTART VEHICLE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
I BOUGHT A 1997-MALIBU LS BRAND NEW. BEFORE IT TURNED 14,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE WORK DONE ON BRAKES. BEFORE EVEN TURNING 30,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB, (2ND SET) TIRES, WATER PUMP, WHEEL CYLINDERS, MY HEAD LIGHTS POP ON, AND I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 33,000 MILES.THE DEALER WERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID UNLESS THEY…
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I BOUGHT A 1997-MALIBU LS BRAND NEW. BEFORE IT TURNED 14,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE WORK DONE ON BRAKES. BEFORE EVEN TURNING 30,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB, (2ND SET) TIRES, WATER PUMP, WHEEL CYLINDERS, MY HEAD LIGHTS POP ON, AND I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 33,000 MILES.THE DEALER WERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID UNLESS THEY SEE THE LIGHTS POP ON.THEY COULD DO NOTHING. GM SENT OUT A RECALL. WHICH I DID TAKE MY CAR INTO DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM A FEW TIMES.I MOVED BACK TO INDIANA AND TOOK IT TO COYLE CHEVROLET IN NEW ALBANY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.BOTH DEALERS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS A CONSUMER..I AM MAD AS HELL-AND FEEL I WAS RIPPED OFF, AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO NO ONE TO EVER BUY A MALIBU. I HAD ONE IN 1969. AND, IT WAS THE BEST CAR. WHEN YOU PAY AROUND $25,000.00 FOR A NEW CAR-YOU WOULD THINK YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ALL THE BRAKE TROUBLE. I TO THIS DAY DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THESE BRAKES. I AM A SINGLE WOMEN AND THOUGHT BY BUYING A NEW CAR I WOULD FEEL SAFER. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD TO GET RID OF THIS CAR I PLAN TOO. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS ON OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS. BATTERY-2 BRAKE JOBS-ABS BRAKES-WHEEL CYLINDERS-ROARIES-WATER PUMP. *LA
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. VEHICLE HAD ITS GAS TANK CAP REPLACED, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS OVERHAULED. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE ON THE CAR ALREADY. THE LAST REPAIR WAS IN MARCH OF 2004. IT IS ONLY THREE MONTHS FROM THE LAST REPLACEMENT, AND IT IS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE AGAIN. I WOULD REPAIR THE CAR, BUT APPARENTLY IT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS. THERE HAS GOT T…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE ON THE CAR ALREADY. THE LAST REPAIR WAS IN MARCH OF 2004. IT IS ONLY THREE MONTHS FROM THE LAST REPLACEMENT, AND IT IS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE AGAIN. I WOULD REPAIR THE CAR, BUT APPARENTLY IT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME KIND OF MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS PART. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR FOUR YEARS AND IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT, AND YET THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE GASKET HAS FAILED.*AK
MY FIRST ISSUE IS WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE MALIBU. MY LIGHT DEVELOPED CONDENSATION IN THEM WHICH IN THE REAR CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GLOW DIM, AND CAUSED E TO GET PULLED OVER ON A NUMBER OF TIMES. IN THE FRONT IT HAS CAUSED THE GLASS SHIELD TO FOG CAUSING ME TO FAIL VEHICLE INSPECTION. THERE HAVE ARE MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS…
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MY FIRST ISSUE IS WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE MALIBU. MY LIGHT DEVELOPED CONDENSATION IN THEM WHICH IN THE REAR CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GLOW DIM, AND CAUSED E TO GET PULLED OVER ON A NUMBER OF TIMES. IN THE FRONT IT HAS CAUSED THE GLASS SHIELD TO FOG CAUSING ME TO FAIL VEHICLE INSPECTION. THERE HAVE ARE MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS ON MY CAR SUCH AS THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM, THE POWER MOON ROOF, THE MANUFACTURER'S CD PLAYER, THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH. THEN IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH EMISSIONS. THE HEADLINER IS FALLING OFF THE CEILING. *NM
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER VERIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND RECOMMENDED GASKET REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $585. MILEAGE IS ONLY 46,000. I MUST CONTINUE TO ADD COOLANT AT REGULAR INTERVALS OTHERWISE ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
BASICALLY THIS IS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GM 3.1L V6 ENGINE IN MY 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE 1100 SUCH COMPLAINTS AND WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP WITH MY SITUATION ALSO. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO HAVE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS THAT HAD LED UP TO MY CURRENT FIASCO. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AF…
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BASICALLY THIS IS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GM 3.1L V6 ENGINE IN MY 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE 1100 SUCH COMPLAINTS AND WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP WITH MY SITUATION ALSO. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO HAVE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS THAT HAD LED UP TO MY CURRENT FIASCO. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AFTER AN OIL CHANGE MY 97 MALIBU BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A LIFTER TICKING. MY MECHANIC SUSPECTS A COLLAPSED LIFTER; THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. MY CAR ALSO NOW RUNS VERY ROUGH AND DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER IT USED TO HAVE. TODAY 10/2/03 I HAD TO DRIVE INTO SEATTLE AND BEGAN TO HAVE A SEVERE HEATING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. MY WIFE AND I WERE DEATHLY AFRAID WE WERE GOING TO BE STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY SOMEWHERE OR STUCK IN A PART OF SEATTLE WE DID NOT FEEL VERY SAFE IN. THE TEMP GAUGE BEGAN TO RISE VERY QUICKLY AS WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION JUST SOUTH OF SEATTLE, THE NEEDLE WAS PEGGED AND THE TEMP LIGHT ACTUALLY CAME ON. I HAD DEX-COOL ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ALL OVER THE GROUND. WE WAITING APPROX 30 MINUTES BEFORE WE STARTED OUT AGAIN AND YES WERE AFRAID THE ENTIRE WAY HOME THAT WE WOULD GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD SOMEWHERE. I GOT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAS INFORMED US THAT WE PROBABLY NEED A NEW ENGINE, ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE FAULTY GASKETS WHICH RESULT IN ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING BAD CAMSHAFTS, BAD BEARINGS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE. IF I HAD THE RESOURCES TO DUMP THE PIECE OF JUNK I JUST MIGHT, HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE THE RECOURSES TO DO THAT, I MUST GET IT FIXED. RIGHT NOW A $4000.00 DOLLAR REPAIR WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR MY FAMILY. FRANKLY I AM TIRED OF BEING SOLD JUNK, 20000.00 DOLLARS MIGHT NOT BE MUCH TOO SOME PEOPLE BUT IT IS TO ME. MY CAR NOW IS BARELY WORTH $4000.00 AND THE THOUGHT OF PUTTING $4000.00 INTO IT JUST TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN MAKES ME SICK. I WILL THINK TWICE THE NEXT TIME ABOUT PURCHASING A GM PRODUCT.
MY CAR HAS ALWAYS USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ANTI-FREEZE. APPARENTLY, MY CHEVY MALIBU IS NOT THE ONLY, AND FROM THE MECHANIC I TALKED TO TODAY, HE SAYS THAT IT IS THE ENGINE. I NOW HAVE TO GET A NEW MANIFOLD, WHICH TO ME COSTS A LOT OF MONEY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE SAME CARS ALL OVER ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IT WOULD BE …
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MY CAR HAS ALWAYS USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ANTI-FREEZE. APPARENTLY, MY CHEVY MALIBU IS NOT THE ONLY, AND FROM THE MECHANIC I TALKED TO TODAY, HE SAYS THAT IT IS THE ENGINE. I NOW HAVE TO GET A NEW MANIFOLD, WHICH TO ME COSTS A LOT OF MONEY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE SAME CARS ALL OVER ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IT WOULD BE SOME SORT OF MANUFACTER DEFECT AND THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. *AK
Official recalls
414V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 3, 2014
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 & remedy
Consequence: 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: 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.
03V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Dec 11, 2003
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 & remedy
Consequence: 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: 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.
01V068000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Mar 8, 2001
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 & remedy
Consequence: REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
97V107000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jun 28, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FASTENERS THAT SECURE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TIE BAR WERE OMITTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, THE MODULE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRIKING AND INJURING AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG MODULE FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE FASTENERS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL ANY FASTENERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7RQ04006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Jul 7, 2004 · Closed Jan 13, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA02003 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Dec 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
PE01038 · Steering Rack And Pinion
Opened Nov 14, 2001 · Closed Apr 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES RANGING FROM BRUISES, AIRBAG BURN, SEAT BELT ABRASION, FACIAL INJURY, NECK AND BACK PAIN.ALL CRASHES WERE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHES.GM STATES THAT ONE POSSIBLE FAILURE MODE IS FAILURE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE R&P.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS.
EA00019 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Jul 12, 2000 · Closed Mar 6, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ON FEBRUARY 22, 2000, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) INITIATED PE00-009 BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 & 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU & OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO EA00-019 ON JULY 12, 2000.DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURES WERE THE RESULT OF FRACTURE OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING (SUBJECT COMPONENT).SUCH A FRACTURE LED TO AN IMMEDIATE AND IRRECOVERABLE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION.GMREPORTED THAT THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION (50% GLASS-REINFORCED ACETAL) OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND STRESSES IMPOSED BY CERTAIN FROZEN PRECIPITIATION ACCUMULATIONS.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT MATERIAL WAS CHANGED TO THE STRONGER 50% GLASS-REINFORCEDNYLON-6, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 98.OBSOLETE SERVICE PART WERE DISCARDED.GM WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS IN 129,427 SUBJECT VEHICLES FOUND IN 28 STATES (AK, CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, IA ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY), THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND ALL CANADIAN PROVINCES.THESE STATES ACCOUNTED FOR 91% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED ABOVE.ODI WILL MONITOR THIS COMPAIGN FOR ADEQUATE EFFCTIVENESS AND, IF NECESSARY, TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE.FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS MATTER IS UNJUSTIFIED AT THIS TIME.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
EA00010 · Stop Lamp Assembly Overheat
Opened Mar 27, 2000 · Closed Aug 9, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE00009 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 22, 2000 · Closed Jul 12, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available