1997 Chevrolet Malibu visibility problems

43 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 97,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints: 43
of this car's complaints: 10%
typical mileage: 97,000
crashes: 1
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
14
Windshield wiper/washer
8
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
6
Power window devices and controls
5
Windshield
3
Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
3
Sun/moon roof assembly
2
Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
2

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 visibility problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 27

Related recalls

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported March 8, 2001 · 129,427 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 01V068000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Windshield wiper failureOpened July 7, 2004, closed January 13, 2005

In march 2001, gm notified the federal safety agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached summary.

RQ04006

Windshield wiperOpened July 12, 2000, closed March 6, 2001

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.

EA00019

Windshield wiperOpened February 22, 2000, closed July 12, 2000

There is no summary currently available

PE00009

What 1997 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Electrical, Suspension · MO

I have had to change the passenger caliper and rotors twice because the bolts for the caliper keeps popping out and the bolts for the bracket keeps popping out.. My windshield wiper on the passenger side went out last month..last night the car wouldn't start up anymore when I do turn the key the lights come on but when I try to start the car up I get a clicking noise, the radio kept going in and out also. Now my o2 sensors and tripping. I've had to change the egr valve because it kept getting stuck in open position and I also changed the belt

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Visibility · 142,200 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving in rainy weather, the windshield wipers failed. The contact stated that the wipers crossed over each other and stopped working. The contact then moved off the roadway and manually dislodged the wipers however, they would not move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the linkages needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The failure mileage was 142,200.

Filed Dec 30, 2008 · Visibility · 93,986 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 MPH in inclement weather conditions, the pivot housing fractured and caused the wipers to fail. As a consequence, the contact's visibility was significantly reduced and the risk of a crash was increased. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v068000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). The contact paid $380.68 to replace the windshield wiper pivot housing. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 93,986. Updated 1/26/09 *cn updated 01/26/09.

Filed Mar 13, 2007 · Electrical, Steering · AL

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!

Filed Jan 19, 2007 · Visibility · 162,300 miles · NC

I am the owner of a 1997 chevy malibu. One day while I was driving around town, it was raining, and my windshield wiper arm flew off of the car. I looked up recalls on your site and found that there is a recall for the problem I have. I contacted chevrolet and they told me that there is no such recall for my car. I don't feel I should have to pay for replacement parts if there is a recall on defective parts. The federal safety agency campaign id # is 01v068000

Filed Mar 26, 2005 · Visibility · MO

There is a recall on my 1997 chevy malibu for the windshield wipers and I have had them break do to the recall but the dealer in my town will not cover the recall because I do not have the VIN number that is listed in the recalls and I live in the state of missouri. Just because someone has not reported it from missouri about this happening does not mean it should not be covered. The exact thing that is said to happen to the wipers on the recall has happened to mine and it will cost me 150.00 to replace the whole system that broke. I want this problem fixed so I can get my car fixed. Please ad missouri to the list and also all chevy malibus in 1997 should be covered under this recall as it has happened to me.!!!

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Visibility · 96,000 miles · KS

Recall 01v068000 concerning windshield wiper arm. Front windshield wipers stopped operating during inclement conditions. Dealer was notified, but dealer informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. *ak

Filed Nov 24, 2004 · Visibility · AL

1997 chevrolet malibu wipers the part broke from the arm called chevrolet place in boaz alabama to check if they had a recall he checked and said no.

Filed May 25, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Visibility · IN

While driving in inclement weather, the windshield wipers stopped working on their own. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection,and the mechanic informed the driver that this vehicle was not covered under the recall. *ak the wipers are inoperative. *sc

Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu visibility

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Malibu visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 97,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 01V068000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most visibility problems?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most visibility complaints are 1998 (63 complaints), 1997 (43 complaints) and 2013 (40 complaints).