1997 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch cut off issues. *tgw the ignition switch was replaced at a cost of $400.00 and is seeking reimbursement. Also, the outer and inner tie rods were replaced.
1997 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems
80 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 80
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion29
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)8
- Hydraulic power assist system7
- Column locking: anti-theft device7
- Rack and pinion: rack5
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections5
- Steering wheel/handle bar4
- Linkages: tie rod assembly3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Malibu steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 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.
RQ03001
Power rack and pinion steering failure
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.
EA02003
Steering rack and pinion
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.
PE01038
What 1997 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving on my way home, and I made a right turn into my neighborhood and when I began to turn left into the curve my steering wheel was turning but my car continued to go straight into a neighbor's yard causing me to slam on brakes and hit a hill! I got my car checked out that next morning and found that it was my rack and pinion that has caused this. I knew my car had a recall so I decided to search recalls for my car (year make and model) I saw where there was a recall on the rack and pinion where if it went out you would not be able to turn left only right. I contacted the gm corporate office and stated as such and they said that was a recall but not on my specific VIN # so there is nothing that could be done. Is this possible seeming as they have issued a recall on this particular part already on 97 and 98 chevy malibu's?
Tl- the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v527000 (steering), received the recall repair and weeks later the failure recurred. The contact stated that while making a turn, extreme force had to be applied to the steering wheel and the vehicle was unstable to drive. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer who refused to repair the vehicle. The authorized dealer indicated that someone damaged the subframe and bolts along with the quarter panels being rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who indicated that the authorized dealer needed to replace the bolts, subframe and the quarter panels which were rusted. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer provided an interim fix of welding the brackets to the frame and within weeks the components fractured. The vehicle was towed back to the authorized dealer for further inspection, diagnosis and repair. The bolts were broken and the engine was sitting on top of the steering rack due to the fracture. The contact was waiting for approval from the manufacturer to remedy the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,160. Dyd
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.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering rack and pinion fails to turn properly. She could not explain the failure any further; however, it is the same failure stated in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact received a recall notice in february of 2004 regarding the lower rack and pinion steering. He had not experienced any failures at the time; however, he took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. Six months later, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked. He was able to pull the wheel back to the right and stop the vehicle. The contact drove home and his father, a mechanic, inspected the vehicle and declared the cause of failure to be the lower rack and pinion. The contact called the dealer and they stated that nothing could be done because the recall repair had already been performed. The recall number was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 243,831. Updated 01/11/08. *lj updated
My fiance and I have had a 1997 chevy malibu for a year and a half. About a month after purchasing it, the vehicle started having problems with the passlock theft system that would leave us stranded for 10 minutes because the car wouldn't crank. Gradually it started doing it more and more. We've had incidents where the theft system light would go off after 10 minutes but when trying to start it again; it would do the same thing. I've actually had times of being stranded for 2 hours because it would keep doing it! Right now our car is at my fiance's work because it won't crank and we got tired of trying after 3 hours. This is so annoying! Chevrolet should be ashamed of themselves! I know a lot of people that have had this same problem(not counting all the other problems like the brakes and windshield wipers). With so many people having the same problem..that means they should recall it and fix it. We don't have money like they do and can't afford to keep putting it in the shop to be worked on. I'm currently a college pell grant recipient that is going to lose my grants because of this lemon car! I was adopted by my grandparents that are on ssi and disability and they can't afford to send me to school. I hope the people at chevrolet are happy with ruining my future! Please help me!!!I need my car fixed before it's too late!
The turn signals are not reliable they might work one time and the next time they wont work. There is a lot of rattling sounds coming from the rear wheels, the steering column makes a weird sound when being turned.
Dt*: the contact stated the steering wheel failed to steer for the first 10 minutes after turning on the vehicle. It was taken to the service dealer, who determined that the steering rack and the power steering pressure hose were leaking. There was a the federal safety agency recall #03v527000, regarding the steering: rack and pinion. The service dealer performed the recall, however the gear assembly was not replaced. Updatd 01/30/07.
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu steering
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu have steering problems?
Owners have filed 80 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (812 complaints), 2004 (799 complaints) and 2009 (769 complaints).
Other 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Brakes 111Electrical 87Engine 64Suspension 55Visibility 43Lights 41Airbags 25Tires 17Fuel system 15Seat belts 15Acceleration 13Body 13Transmission 9Seats 4Locks 3Wheels 2Driver assistance 1
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