1997 Chevrolet Malibu: engine knocking or ticking

5 of the 443 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 80,653
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 17 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2022
2
2020
1
2018
8
2017
2
2016
7
2015
1
2013
3
2012
4
2011
3
2010
7
2009
1
2008
9
2007
5
2006
11
2005
22
2004
12
2003
1
2002
1
2001
11
2000
19
1999
6
1998
7
1997
5

What owners say

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 Sep 15, 2004 · Engine, Suspension · 40,000 miles · TX

Complaint #1 A/C cuts on and off. Complaint #2 suspension knocking, serviced 4 times, still have same problems.

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Steering · 80,653 miles · GA

When driving over bumps and turning the vehicle, a knocking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the problem was the rack and pinion, but the vehicle was not covered under the recall. Please provide further details. *jb

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 96,017 miles · WA

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.

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Engine · 95,300 miles · WA

Basically this is to complain about the gm 3.1l v6 engine in my 1997 chevrolet malibu. I understand that there are 1100 complaints and would appreciate some help with my situation also. In the last couple of weeks my vehicle has started 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 went to seattle and experienced a severe heating problem. 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 waited for approximately 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.