1997 Chevrolet Malibu Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “control arms” (22% of reports).
- 55suspension complaints
- 50,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 46%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.
- Control arms: mentioned in 12 of 55 complaints (22%)
- Front end: mentioned in 12 of 55 complaints (22%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 9 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 55 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Chevrolet Malibu suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Malibu | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Malibu | 3 | 3% | 126,000 |
| 2020 Malibu | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Malibu | 13 | 2% | 71,317 |
| 2017 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 47,140 |
| 2016 Malibu | 19 | 2% | 63,382 |
| 2015 Malibu | 3 | 1% | 33,300 |
| 2014 Malibu | 9 | 3% | 50,509 |
| 2013 Malibu | 65 | 8% | 97,000 |
| 2012 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 93,875 |
| 2011 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 59,000 |
| 2010 Malibu | 13 | 1% | 25,395 |
| 2009 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 35,870 |
| 2008 Malibu | 15 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 22 | 2% | 77,800 |
| 2006 Malibu | 15 | 1% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Malibu | 21 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2004 Malibu | 31 | 3% | 36,300 |
| 2003 Malibu | 23 | 4% | 44,635 |
| 2002 Malibu | 14 | 2% | 46,353 |
| 2001 Malibu | 20 | 3% | 52,500 |
| 2000 Malibu | 33 | 4% | 89,200 |
| 1999 Malibu | 82 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Malibu | 108 | 11% | 83,900 |
| 1997 Malibu | 55 | 12% | 50,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists suspension 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 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…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the frame separated from the vehicle causing it to flip and crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained head and neck injuries which…
Noticed a howling noise coming from front wheel. Noise grew louder at higher speeds. Determined it to be the wheel hub/bearing. The hub/bearing was replaced. This has now happened 4 times on this vehicle 3 on lf and 1 on rf wheel.*ak
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1997 Chevrolet Malibus have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints about suspension for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu (12% 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 suspension?
No recall currently lists suspension for this vehicle.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “control arms”, in 12 of 55 complaints, followed by “front end” (12).
Other 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems
See all 1997 Chevrolet Malibu problems or suspension problems across all Malibu years.