Poor manufacturing and quality of vehicle components.
1997 Chevrolet Malibu lights complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 41, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicles headlights keep blowing out, cause is unknown. Please provide any further information. Ts
Consumer states intermittently the vehicle anti-theft light would come on while driving, within a few seconds it would start to flicker on/off, when this occurs the vehicle would cut off, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *jb also, consumer states dealer replaced fuse, multifunction switch, dome lamp wiring, ignition lock cylinder, power steering hose, fuel pump, engine mount, heater, left door window switch, right front seat belt, left front door handle cover, and left front door lock switch.
Consumer states that the right brake light keeps going out. The dealer has ruled out the fuse or bulb. When bulb is wiggled light comes back on. The dealer has no remedy. Nlm
Brake lights went out at unknown time to driver resulting in rear end collison by another automobile. Instrument panel went black and emitted a black smoke resulting in unoperative use of any fan/heat/defrost..main instrument of power windows on driver side operated enough to roll down windows but not roll up drivers side resulting in ice/snow/rain buildup. Alternator went out 4 times resulting in power failure on highway resulting in crash into guard rail. Please provide us with any information to protect our family and prevent any future accidents..thank you very much. Nlm
While driving and foot removed from brakes, vehicle would accelerate on its own. When this happens, dashboard lights would flash on/off. Would need to slam on brakes to stop vehicle. Will be taking to dealership to have mechanic check it.
Rear brake light housing assembly is melted on both the left and right side of the vehicle.
Broken brake light - chevrolet is aware of bad circuit behind the light panel.
Left brake lights shorted out due to water in tail lamp assembly
Moisture buildup in headlight assemby of both sides. Also, during rain or car wash, water pours into passenger side floor. Unknown origin point of the water.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Headlights get water caught in them and fog up, making visibility poor for the driver at night. Dealer has replaced the lenses, and problem is occurring again.
Brake pads failed with out audible warning damaging rotors. Bulb bases in rear light both melted for 2nd time. Pwr window fails intermittently. Noise in suspension, dealer couldn't find it.brakes also not covered under extended warranty, very expensive to repair. Model should be investigated by all the complaints listed.
Headlights are steaming up due to water entering inside of headlight, causing poor visibility.dealer told consumer to leave highbeams on for 1 hour to dry out the water.
We have had numerous things repaired or replaced on this car. Everything from the carpet to the radio to warped rotors. We are currently trying to "get out of" our lease due to the number of problems that we are experiencing. It's become quite a nuisance to have and we are dissappointed and even angry at the fact that these many problems have gone uninvestigated by the dealer that we take it to for repairs. Fortunately, there have been no serious malfunctions with the car causing accidents. We have an extensive list of repairs done to the car starting less than six months from the date of purchase. To date, we have had this car serviced for repairs on average, once every six weeks.
Vehicle has experienced continued problems with engine failure at idle , several repair attempts however continues to experience failures. Mjs
Turn signal indicator does not turn off once a turn is completed. Nlm
Headlight lens' have constant moisture in both lens, they freeze at night and eventually the bulbs will melt the ice, but lighting is distorted. I've reported this 4 times to dealer. The 1st time, they replaced one lens and after further complaints, their comments were "chevrolet won't authorize replacement any more replacements" so they take off the lens and wiping them dry. That lasts until the next rain. This is very frustrating especially when driving in freezing rain and fog. They never seem to dry out.
After washing my 1997 chevrolet malibu I noticed that both front headlights were condensated covering 75% of both lenses. Vechicle was taken to the dealer, when I picked up the vechile I was told that was a normal condition and I was to drive the vechile for 2 to 6 hrs with the lights on to correct it. I primarily drive this car for vacations and I always have the car washed when I reach my destination. After driving many hours, it is ludicrous to think that I would want to drive for even one more hour. I feel that it is a defect, causing the headlights not to operate at 100% causing an unsafe condition, especially at night. I contacted general motors 1-800 number and was told the same thing that the dealer told me. I feel that the explanation is completely unacceptable and causes an unsafe condition. Both g m and the dealer refered to their bulletin number 638206a. Ii was also given a number from g m (990079295).
Water goes into the front headlights, causing poor visibility.
Moisture or water forms in the headlight casing and in the bulb area, causing the headlights to become dim or foggy, cause unknown. Dealer sealed the casing which did not remedy the problem. The consumer will be notified when it is to make replacement.*ak.et.
Tail light failed.
Turn signal control failed.
While driving, signal lights do not work (not always, never know when you will have them. Service dept. Replaced switch, now it is worse. Never happens to service when they have the car.
Right rear brake light socket and bulb melted due to the heat generated inside the unit.
While driving the headlight on the drivers side went out due moisture in the seal casing. The dealer has repaired the vehicle.
Headlights fog up on inside after every car wash. Dealer says units are designed with vents, and nothing can be done to correct problem.
Headlamps will not operate when vehicle is cold. If vehicle is warm, headlamps come on automatically.
Switch that activates high beam lights malfunctioned. This is in reference to complaint # 7 of the federal safety agency complaint reports for the 1997 malibus.
Power window motor failed.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history