1997 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

Filed Sep 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NC

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

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Theft light keeps coming on, my car will stop when it happens. This has happened while driving. And will not start. I’ve had the recall fixed years ago that was said to be the reason. It didn’t fix the problem

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 68,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Oct 26, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · KS

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.

Filed Dec 8, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 146,534 miles · FL

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2009 · Engine · 75,000 miles · KS

Car engine overheating not due to thermostat or water pump.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Engine · 53,900 miles · PA

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 the federal safety agency.

Filed Sep 12, 2008 · Engine · 74,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 12, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 74,000 miles · GA

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!

Filed Apr 3, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 187,000 miles · KS

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.