1997 Chevrolet Malibu Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 72,489 miles. The words owners use most often: “brake pads” (11% of reports).
- 100service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- 72,489median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake pads: mentioned in 11 of 100 complaints (11%)
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 7 of 100 complaints (7%)
- Control arms: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Rotors turned: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 11 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 100 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Chevrolet Malibu service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Malibu | 1 | 1% | 29,901 |
| 2020 Malibu | 6 | 3% | 95,774 |
| 2019 Malibu | 4 | 2% | 74,076 |
| 2018 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 93,500 |
| 2017 Malibu | 5 | 1% | 90,000 |
| 2016 Malibu | 6 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 2014 Malibu | 4 | 1% | 85,049 |
| 2013 Malibu | 2 | 0% | 80,450 |
| 2012 Malibu | 8 | 1% | 32,350 |
| 2011 Malibu | 6 | 1% | 51,000 |
| 2010 Malibu | 15 | 1% | 54,000 |
| 2009 Malibu | 9 | 1% | 26,236 |
| 2008 Malibu | 24 | 2% | 37,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 14 | 1% | 33,000 |
| 2006 Malibu | 16 | 1% | 49,250 |
| 2005 Malibu | 26 | 3% | 50,000 |
| 2004 Malibu | 28 | 2% | 16,500 |
| 2003 Malibu | 45 | 8% | 15,330 |
| 2002 Malibu | 41 | 7% | 29,000 |
| 2001 Malibu | 78 | 11% | 34,567 |
| 2000 Malibu | 228 | 25% | 33,000 |
| 1999 Malibu | 292 | 37% | 41,348 |
| 1998 Malibu | 347 | 36% | 58,000 |
| 1997 Malibu | 100 | 23% | 72,489 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists service brakes, hydraulic for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I would like to get a replacement,discount or free service on my 1997 malibu. I've had my car since 2004 and had to get another motor in 2005 which is needed now .this car has put me down a lot not only problems with the motor but the ignition locked up and i had to replace that as well as the…
I have owned my malibu since it was new in 1997. In its lifetime it has had 4 or 5 sets of rotors and at least 7 sets of brake pads. It is now ready for a new set of rotors and brakes. The last time these were replaced on the car was 2 years ago. Gm knew about the brake problem from day one. The…
I have a 1997 chevrolet malibu and my sister has a 1997 chevrolet venture. We both experience the same instances with our vehichles. The check engine light will come on frequently, the abs brake light will come one frequently. It happens to my car, the 97 chevrolet malibu every other time i turn on…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1997 Chevrolet Malibus have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu (23% of the 443 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu service brakes, hydraulic?
No recall currently lists service brakes, hydraulic for this vehicle.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
The median reported mileage is 72,489 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “brake pads”, in 11 of 100 complaints, followed by “applying brakes” (7).
Other 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems
See all 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems or service brakes, hydraulic problems across all Malibu years.