1997 Chevrolet Malibu sedan from North America - Comments

Everything, I am so tired of buying the shittiest cars ever.

I never replaced anything because I didn't feel like putting out that kind of money, but the brakes were bad when I got it, the engine was bad had something to do with the intake and exhaust manifolds. There was something to do with the coolant that didn't help the intake situation.

3.1 engines are known for blowing head gaskets and valves. Bad idea very expensive to fix.

I am glad I got out of that car while I still could it was a constant headache, I was stressed out on whether I was going to make it to school and work or not. I drive over 60 miles a day, I need something that I can rely on that gets good gas mileage, this car got very bad gas mileage for the engine. Approximately 10-15 mpg, probably due to the engine failure.

I would say get out now, its just going to cost you more money than it is worth, I suggest that you find another car, maybe an Oldsmobile, Honda, or Toyota. They are great cars and Subaru, some Fords, most Chevy's. A car is as good as its driver, and maintenance unless it's a Malibu, no matter how much maintenance you do on the car something still goes wrong.

For all of you who own Chevrolet Malibu's Good Luck!

I have to say, you are absolutely right about the Malibu, This car has given me nothing but problems. The brakes are failing, the exhaust system is bad. I have to repeatedly replace the coolant. I am so sorry I bought this vehicle. I will not buy another one. I hate the gas mileage. The paint is even peeling. My vehicle is a 1998. What a mess I got myself in.

Without a doubt the worst car purchase of my life. I've owned a Mustang GT, Mercury Topaz, IH Scout, Volvo 240 and now a Saab 900 along with the lowly Malibu. I've read some of the other comments about this car and echo the sentiment.

Fan speed control - I'm on my third set of speed control resistors.

Total bill $70 each time.

Springs - replaced both front springs, one a 67K kilometres and the other at 115K

Total bill approx $1300 - 2 springs, one tire, strut mount.

Paint - peeling on the rear quarter panel.

Intake manifold gasket, replaced at 125K kilometres ( (78K miles)

Total bill $809.

Anti-lock brakes (gone at 80K - $975 to repair - not done)

Wheel bearing (front left)

Total bill $550.00.

Rattles and squeaks to beat the band.

I also had the antenna connection problem mentioned in other comments, a simple fix, but annoying still. These repairs I would consider to over an above the normal wear and tear on a car. I have also gone through a set of rotors and am on the third set of brake pads, but I don't consider this too excessive. Gas mileage has been constant although this is clearly a weak engine design as the head gasket (there isn't really any gasket according to my mechanic) will likely be ready to go soon as well. What makes this so incredulous is the dealership recognizes the weaknesses in design and does nothing in defence of their customer. (The weakness is illustrated by the 3 thousand dollars they offered me on a trade!!) They just add up the bill and try and pay you off with a credit towards the purchase of another GM vehicle - not bloody likely.

One of the other comments was GM should be embarrassed about this car. I'll go one further - they should be liable. What is supposed to be a family oriented car and thus for someone on a budget has turned out to be a hole into which I pour money. In the past two years I have not gone 6 months without dumping between 500 and 1,000 bucks onto a repair bill. Oh ya, Firestone, forget about it

I have a 1997 Malibu with the common intake manifold gasket problem. I have had other problems including a mechanical failure of the ignition switch. I had to destroy the old switch to remove it from the column. My Malibu also rattles like crazy. I think the rear deck is loose and rattles on metal.

I'll have to repair the intake manifold gasket, but I plan on getting rid of the car after I do since I've heard of so many common problems with this model.

I too have a 1997 Malibu - while I do not have the engine problems described I have had the fan speed control go out 3 times - the brake speed sensor (antilock brakes) go out 3 times. The Rear tail light leaked and was recalled for replacement - they mismatched and could not find one to match. (Mine have a Magenta Stripe). The dealer says this is impossible - the vehicle came new FROM that dealership! I called GM - and they do not know. The steering assembly was defective which caused an accident. The recall notice arrived 6 months after the accident, and strangely enough just outside of the product liability timeline. The culture at GM Chevrolet is obviously they do not give a crap. Do not buy GM products.

I have owned my 1997 Malibu for almost six years. It recently passed the 100K mile mark and things have been horrible ever since. I have had to replace the alternator and battery ($450) and the fuel injector regulator ($450) this year. The intake manifold system has to be fixed ($800) and the ABS warning light comes on now. The fan speed control has not worked for at least a year. There are bubbles in the paint directly under the gas cap door. I used to love my car, but now all I want to do is get rid of it. I have found that it is more trouble that I can handle!!!

This car is such an unbelievable piece of junk. If I knew when I bought it what I know now, I'd never have gone near it. I wouldn't have bought it brand new for a quarter of the asking price. I'd list all the problems I've had, but I don't want to write a book.I'll just mention the last problem. The hollow cam shaft snapped, which then caused the timing chain to snap, etc, etc. Motor gone at 60,000 miles. I had it towed to the Scrap yard and insisted on watching it be crushed. That gave me some satisfaction. There was no way I was going to fix it and sell it to some other poor sucker.

I will "NEVER, EVER" buy another G.M. product. I've owned many cars, they have all needed work at times, (brakes, tires, alternators, etc,).This car always had something wrong with it. If it was an engine problem, the mechanics had a hell of a time trying to diagnose it, as the computer would say everything is fine, when it obviously was not.

So if you think, Wow that's a great price for a newer car, There's a reason.