1997 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Discussions

Chevrolet Malibu Meet the Owners

• 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

  Written by: djm2 on Oct 4, 2010 5:53:39 PM

  Hi All: Recently I purchased a new 2010 Malibu 4 cylinder LTZ. This is one of two primary vehicles that I own, (the other being a 2007 Toyota Camry.) ---- Since 1997, I have only purchased Honda Vehicles, because of a "very negative quality experience" with a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a dealer and manufacturer that did not want to perform powertrain warranty work. (The front end would "HUM" at ... Read More

Which to keep: 01 Malibu or 98 Camry?

• Congratulations on your decision!

  Written by: hondoman45 on Dec 7, 2008 7:02:13 PM

  I'm happy that you made your choice in keeping the Camry! We had a 1997 Chevy Lumina with the 3.1 engine, which your Malibu also has. We replaced two intake manifold gaskets, an alternator, a water pump, and numerous radiator repairs were required. I felt nervous driving the Lumina as it stranded me many times, even though I take pride in maintenance of my vehicles. We sold it with 105k miles ... Read More

2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu

• Re: Annoying Shrieking Brakes [ronbo10]

  Written by: gmfornow3 on Oct 24, 2008 9:04:48 AM

  I think bandit08 mentions a common GM issue with rotors. Two GM cars of mine purchased new (1997 Pontiac Grand Am -4cyl. and 2002 Chevy Monte Carol 3.4L) both had warped rotors around 15,000 miles and again at 36,000 miles. On both cars the repairs were the same. They replaced the rotors the first time, and the second time they turned the rotors, both under warranty. What is strange is that ... Read More

Should I purchase a Chevrolet 1997 Malibu V6 3.1L engine?

• Re: Should I purchase a 1997 chevy Malibu? [rkendrot]

  Written by: pao on Aug 4, 2008 11:39:09 AM

  it all depends on the maintenance history of the car....is it a one owner car....or has it been passed along several times already......based on your post....you get what you pay for.....so do you pay up front now...or pay to keep it running over time....

• Should I purchase a 1997 chevy Malibu?

  Written by: rkendrot on Aug 2, 2008 4:50:15 PM

  I am considering to purchase a basic 1997 Malibu with a V6 3.1 Engine. Recently, the seller replaced the intake manifold and rear springs; added new brakes, new tires, and a new battery. It has a 110,000 miles on it. I have been reading reviews about this car. Some people think it is junk, while others have loved the car--but recommended that it has to be maintained. My last car was ... Read More

• Should I purchase a Chevrolet 1997 Malibu V6 3.1L engine?

  Written by: rkendrot on Aug 2, 2008 4:48:21 PM

  I am considering to purchase a basic 1997 Malibu with a V6 3.1 Engine. Recently, the seller replaced the intake manifold and rear springs; added new brakes, new tires, and a new battery. It has a 110,000 miles on it. I have been reading reviews about this car. Some people think it is junk, while others have loved the car--but recommended that it has to be maintained. My last car was ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu

• Re: 1997 Chevy Malibu engine stall in drive [awoodis]

  Written by: edgardo1 on Jan 8, 2008 9:48:19 PM

  I have a 97 Malibu that stalls when put into gear BUT DOES NOT STALL IN REVERSE.. Any Suggestions on what could be causing this?

• 1997 Chevy Malibu engine stall in drive

  Written by: awoodis on Dec 21, 2007 6:18:50 PM

  I have a 97 Malibu that stalls when put into gear BUT DOES NOT STALL IN REVERSE.. Any Suggestions on what could be causing this?

Midsize Sedans 2.0

• Re: MPG on winter gas [thegraduate]

  Written by: urnews on Dec 11, 2007 10:27:23 AM

  Urnews only got 21 MPG or so in his Focus, so 15 MPG in his V6 Fusion AWD isn't bad at all. Both are a good 2-4 MPG below the city estimate. It's just because his style/commute is different. You have a good memory, Graduate. We still have the 2000 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, Zetec Focus station wagon (about 21 mpg all-city driving) and a 1997 3.8-liter, V6 Ford Thunderbird (about 13-15 mpg ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu Clunks and Noises

• 1997 Chevy Malibu

  Written by: pgurganus on Jul 20, 2007 5:40:03 PM

  i am trying to get some advise on this situation,this car possibley has a blown head gasget,if that is the case it would have water comming out the tail pipe or water in the oil?correct?the car has no power and wont go over 20 to 30 mph.please help me

Midsize Sedans 2.0

• Re: class leader [kdshapiro]

  Written by: urnews on Jun 9, 2007 8:20:25 AM

  As a car that I would buy, it's last on my list, but I wouldn't hestitate to recommend it (and I have) to people looking for a family sedan. KDShapiro, What's first on your list? What do you drive now? I disagree with your comments regarding Ford but understand that you are entitled to your opinions even though they come mighty close to bashing a manufacturer, in my humble opinion, and ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu Routine Care & Maintenance

• stuck shifter

  Written by: smee342 on Mar 3, 2007 11:33:26 PM

  hello all im new here and joined becouse ive seen some great feedback for problems others have had. ok so my problem is lol i have a 1997 chevy malibu. and my shifter knob gets stuck from time to time. like when i go to start it in the morining i can't get the shifter out of park to move the car. i was told about this when i bought it ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu

• Re: 1997 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6 [pieinmyface87]

  Written by: smoke76 on Aug 19, 2006 4:33:20 PM

  You dont get around the M.A.S., A good cold air intake ( im assuming this is the pipe you are referring to ) from a reputable company will have the provisions for the m.a.s.(fuel injected cars gotta havem) and air intake temp sensor if it has one. I dont think many people make them for 97 malibus but... Check out http://www.streetstyler.com/IcemanIntakes.htm

• Re: 1997 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6 [pieinmyface87]

  Written by: poncho167 on Aug 18, 2006 5:41:46 AM

  I would go to google.com or else where and look. I have seen sites in the past that had performance accessories for Malibu's, Impala's, etc., out there.

• 1997 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6

  Written by: pieinmyface87 on Aug 15, 2006 1:06:20 PM

  I've got the aforementioned 97 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6, and i'm looking for a little more horsepower. Granted, this is a family sedan, that's irrelevent. I took out the old airbox and put in a AEM air filter instead, I wanted to put in a pipe instead of the excessive stuff they have in there, but i'm not sure how to get around the mass air flow sensor. anyone have any ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu: Problems & Solutions

• Re: chevy windows and blower broke [slidersmom]

  Written by: e2helper on Feb 6, 2006 5:21:45 PM

  OK - On the 1997 Malibu both the power windows and the ac/heater blower are fed off of fuses/circuit breakers located in right hand IP electrical center. They are on different fuses - sounds like you found the window circuit breaker. Questions Any other electrical issues with your vehicle? Does your vehicle have cruise control - and if it does when you press the ON/OFF switch in steering wheel does the ... Read More

• chevy windows and blower broke

  Written by: slidersmom on Feb 6, 2006 3:19:31 PM

  dear e2helper, duhhhhh, i cant believe it 'cept if you knew how many hours i was online to get to this place and enroll and find the right place, you'd understand why i forgot to put year and model. duhhh, i cant believe it anyway.well, the year is 1997, chevy malibu LS. thanks for the response and bringing my attention to the lack of info. thanks, kat

• Just bought 2005 Malibu LS!

  Written by: diannej on Sep 10, 2005 6:54:28 PM

  After putting 153,000+ miles on my 1997 Malibu LS in 8+ years, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get a new car. I really liked my Malibu, so decided to get another one! If e2helper would be so kind as to tell me my build date ;) , that would be really great. Thanks, Dianne in FL 2005 Chevy Malibu LS Last 6 numbers on VIN 339653 ... Read More

• Re: 1997 Chevy Malibu LS Stuck in Park [diannej]

  Written by: e2helper on Jan 1, 2005 7:11:15 AM

  There are 3 things I can think of that would prevent you from shifting out of park.   From what you indicate the vehicle starts up fine, correct?   Is vehicle parked on level ground?   1. There is something binding with the transmission shift cable or transmission shift linkage or shifter itself. I don't know much about what could be done in that case.   2. There is a something ... Read More

• 1997 Chevy Malibu LS Stuck in Park

  Written by: diannej on Jan 1, 2005 6:55:51 AM

  My boyfriend and I left the house yesterday to go to the store about a mile away. When I got back in the car, it started right up, but I couldn't shift it from Park. Restarted the car several times, tried again and again. 3 tow trucks and several phone calls later, and the car's been sitting in the same spot almost 24 hours because it can't be shifted from Park ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu Meet the Owners

• no title

  Written by: jerrywimer on May 22, 2004 9:27:40 AM

  Hi. We owned a 1997 Malibu (loaded base model- alloys, V6, etc.) that I bought off the showroom floor. It had about 80k miles on it when I traded it in last year on a 2003 Trailblazer, because the Bu' was out of warranty and starting to cost me almost as much as payments ran on a monthly basis (I had the bad luck to get a 97 with most of ... Read More

• Finally, a decent GM car

  Written by: kurtamaxxguy on Feb 10, 2004 11:18:22 PM

  Though I was raised with American cars (most of which were pretty crummy back in the 50 - 70s') I've been driving imports since 1975 (I owned a 1983 Camry for 9 years) , with the Geo Prism being my first USA/import crossover in 1997. I wanted to go all the way American for once. After a horrible experience with two, yes two Saturn ION's that fell apart (decent chassis, yugo ... Read More

Chevrolet Malibu

• RE: Aveman

  Written by: jtrujillo86 on Sep 6, 2003 11:43:45 AM

  I know problems are going to arise on every car, but one with 63K miles, in my opinion, should not have cracked CV boots. And about a 2003 having alternator and manifold problems - It will happen. Chevrolet is using the same alternators and manifold design that it used in 1997, on the 2003 Malibus. (Holy cow, I'm starting to sound like regfootball; I guess I'm starting to see his point ... Read More

• RE: venus...

  Written by: dtownfb on Aug 29, 2003 11:55:32 AM

  Yes the Malibu does carry a good price tag but not sure it is such a great value. Of course value means different things to different people. Remember it's a reason why you were able to buy a Malibu LS for around $16k and not the $20k it was listed. The reason most people are disappointed with the Malibu is everybody remembers the ad campaign and the slogan "the car you ... Read More

• RE: Well

  Written by: dtownfb on Jul 9, 2003 9:27:08 AM

  I agree the body style has somethign to do with it but to be honest, people who buy in this segment aren't necessarily looking for cutting edge styling. Remember the Honda Accord was the best seller in 2001 when that model was 4 years old and still sold over 400k units as a five year old model. I do think it has to do with marketing and reliability. The malibu has ... Read More

• New to Edmunds - My 97 Malibu

  Written by: jtrujillo86 on Mar 8, 2003 8:36:14 PM

  Hey guys...I'm obviously new to this "town hall" and I think it's great. I've gotten TONS of info from it. I see it as kind of a support group. The car: I'm 16 years old and own a 1997 Malibu LX with everything except power windows or locks (I guess those are big omissions). I bought the car with 48,417 miles on the odo at a used car place in south ... Read More

• robertp4 & buguy,

  Written by: 0patience on Feb 4, 2003 8:18:41 PM

  Man, someone is making money off you folks. The water pump kit is about $150, that is a new water pump too. Water pump R&R is about 6 hours. So figuring a high $85/hour, that brings it to $580,plus incidentals of about another $60 Which brings it to $640. Now, the part that YOU should pay close attention to is the parts in the TSB I have made bold. Water Pump ... Read More

• homer29 getting knocked around

  Written by: albuterol on Dec 12, 2002 10:23:50 PM

  Replacing one of the CV joint boots -- hmmm, was it ripped? If so it would have slung grease all around the surrounding area. Very noticeable. Usually a dry CV joint makes a clicking sound in slow turns, definitely not a clunk. If it were clunking, I doubt the vehicle would be driveable. Any reputable dealer will attach a Chassis Ear to find the noise source. Heck, I got my own. ... Read More

• homer clunk

  Written by: albuterol on Dec 10, 2002 3:15:59 PM

  I agree, the "clunk" is not normal, and I haven't had the problem either (fortunately). There is a TSB for '97-98 Malibus but I don't if it's related since you have a 2001. I'll list it FYI: ---------- Bulletin No.: 73-32-10 Date: April, 1998 Subject: Low Pitch Rattle, Clunk and/or Squeak Noise Coming from Front End of Vehicle During Low Speeds (Replace Lower Control Arms or Install Rack and Pinion Steering ... Read More

• Some interesting stuff

  Written by: bcmalibu99ls on Nov 7, 2002 8:24:29 AM

  Got it from the Consumer Guide site: Antilock brakes are optional instead of standard for 2003 on the base version of Malibu. ABS remains standard on LS, but is now a $400 base-model option. An all-new Malibu arrives for 2004 on the same front-drive Epsilon platform as the latest 9-3 from GM-owned Saab. Don't worry about price, though: Malibu will remain an affordable, mainstream midsize slotting just under Impala. The '04 ... Read More

• Malibu - The reason a GM Product will never again come home with me

  Written by: dukeorange on Oct 13, 2002 9:56:44 AM

  For those of you who are considering a Malibu let me explain. Our current car is a 1999 model. We were dumb enough to get it after GM took our 1997 back under the Washington State Lemon Law. We thought lightning would not strike us twice so to speak. The 1997 car had repeated brake problems (warpage, brake booster failure among other things). In addition speakers broke as did electric mirror ... Read More

• RE: 2000 Malibu vs. 1997 Honda Accord

  Written by: dtownfb on Sep 17, 2001 10:51:20 AM

  Personally, I would buy the Chevy Malibu. Here are my reasons: 1) less miles on the Malibu and better warranty. 2) You will be hit with a huge bill for the Accord in exactly 12,272 miles. The timing belt of your Accord needs to be replaced at 90,000 miles. That will run oyu at least $300, $500 if you replace the water pump (which you should). 3) 1997 is the last ... Read More

• Malibu safety recall, anyone?

  Written by: mk12345 on Aug 28, 2001 6:06:06 PM

  I received a safety recall notice for my 1998 Malibu in mid August. According to the letter: Reason For This Recall: GM has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1997 and 1998 Chevrolet Malibu and Oldsmobile Cutlass model vehicles. If a buildup of snow or ice restricts the movement of the passenger side wiper arm, the pivot housing can crack and the wipers will ... Read More

• Coolant Leak/Check Engine Light - NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS

  Written by: mottsz71 on Apr 21, 2001 5:50:57 PM

  My 1997 Chevy Malibu (108,000 miles) has had TOO MANY problems: theft system issues/ignition module (replaced countless times because the car wouldn't start -even after 15 minutes- and we needed to be towed), brakes/rotors, etc. For the last several years, my husband and I have complained to the dealer about a coolant leak and was told there was no problem. However, we were filling it every month or so as the ... Read More

• Y2K Chevy Impala LS

  Written by: teo on Jan 9, 2001 8:56:45 AM

  Is the same exact car as the '00/'01 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. Both share the same W-body platform, have the same exact transmission and have the same exact 3800 Series II V-6 engine that puts 200 ponies at the front wheels. Actually, the Impala is a bit strobger than the Grand Prix since it already meets 2003 Government safety standards while the Grand Prix only meets 1997 Government standards. Sorry to ... Read More

• Chevy Malibu 1997

  Written by: diesinker on Oct 21, 2000 10:32:40 PM

  I don't really own a Malibu but I am looking at a '97 with 96,889 miles on it. It's a great looking car and seems to run great. But these miles are bothering me. Any comments?