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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1997 > Chevrolet > MALIBU

1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS
Sedan 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used CHEVROLET.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 4 of 5  
Passenger Rating 4 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 1 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 90 Average
Collision Index 77 Better than average
Theft Index 48 Better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 03-01-2001
Units potentially affected: 129,427
NHTSA campaign number: 01V068000
Defective part or component: VISUAL SYSTEMS:WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE:PIVOT:DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Description: Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles registered or located in states in the ""salt belt"" area (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. Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash. 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 date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 750,283
NHTSA campaign number: 03V527000
Defective part or component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Description: Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur. Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during January 2004. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Recall date: 06-28-1997
Units potentially affected: 16,099
NHTSA campaign number: 97V107000
Defective part or component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSENGER RESTRAINTS:AIR BAG:FRONTAL:PASSENGER
Description: Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. The fasteners that secure the passenger side air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted. If the air bag deploys, the module could separate from the instrument panel striking and injuring an occupant. Dealers will inspect the air bag module for the presence of the fasteners and, if necessary, install any fasteners that may have been omitted.


This 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 3 of 5
  Comfort Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 6 years or 100,000 miles  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Alignment and wheel balancing are considered maintenance after 7,500 miles. Basic warranty includes corrosion, batteries, adjustments, alternate transportation, roadside assistance, and tires. Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles  

This 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

The best Chevy sedan yet.
By Paul A. Eisenstein, NewCarTestDrive.com

The Malibu was so good it narrowly missed becoming the 1997 North American Car of the Year, an award given by a collection of automotive journalists at newspapers and magazines around the country. The reason was that although as good as it is, it is not a breakthrough, not significantly better than the others in its class.

It was a fair assessment. But the new Malibu is an excellent family sedan. It's the best Chevy sedan yet, and should be on the shopping list of every family sedan buyer.

Overview:

It was simple. Chevrolet didn't have a model to compete with the Ford Contour, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Dodge Stratus. That's a big, lucrative market and a player the size of Chevrolet has to be in the game. Creating a model that could make the lineup was not an easy assignment. These are formidable competitors with good records. Chevrolet would have to hit the proverbial home run if it was to stay in this component of the midsize game.

Going, going, gone. The Malibu easily clears the center field fence.

The Malibu comes in two competitively priced models. The base Malibu comes with a 150 horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The LS uses a 3.1-liter V6 rated at 155 horsepower. The V6 is an option for the base car.

A comparably equipped four-cylinder Accord will be in the low $19,000 range, a V-6 Stratus around $20,000, a V-6 Contour also around $20,000, so the Malibu is priced right.

When speaking about target audience, Chevrolet talks of people in their mid-30s and 40s looking for quality, safety, reliability, durability, and practicality. That's a something-for-everybody philosophy that a little time behind the wheel reveals the Malibu does indeed offer.

Read the complete 1997 Chevrolet Malibu review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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The CHEVROLET MALIBU LS did receive a J.D. Power and Associates Award in 1997. View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.


J.D. Power and Associates Award - 1997 APEAL Awardee - Most Appealing Entry Midsize Car:

This award is based on the results of the Initial Quality Study , which is based on feedback collected from new vehicle owners regarding problems experienced within the first 90 days of ownership.
View other awardees.


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