Chevrolet MALIBU electrical problems
1,964 complaint narratives mention electrical terms.
Key facts
18,930 owner complaints analyzed
67 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1964 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 12,559 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Electrical and battery issues evidence
1,964 of 18,930 complaints match this topic (10.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10000090 · 2002-12-12 (December 12, 2002)
EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD WEAR, AND NOISE. ABS LIGHT ON AND OFF. MECHANIC QUESTIONED WIRING PROBLEM COMING FROM WHEEL BEARING TO ABS LIGHT WHICH COULD NOT BE FOUND. WHEN ABS LIGHT IS ON THE VEHICLE HAS NO ANTILOCK BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038970 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER I LOSE BRAKE. CHRONIC PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE ARE ABS SENSOR, BELT TENSIONER BREAKS AWAY, COOLING SYSTEM HEAT CONTROLS, WIRING TO THE REAR LIGHTS. THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT THIS YEAR MODEL HAS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BREAK SENSOR GOES OUT AND BRAKES ARE LOST. WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE TO FORCE CHEVROLET TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS? IT IS NOT JUST ONE CAR BUT ALL OF 1997 MALIBU THAT HAS THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 361,620 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069826 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
BOUGHT CAR NEW 4-14-1997----PROBLEM CAR 32750 MI NOW CHEVROLET RAN AWAY FROM THIS CAR AND SO DID DEALERS---KEPT CUSTOMER IN THE DARK----WAITING FOR 3 YRS OR 36000MI SUSPENSION NOISE ON GOING---RATTLE---CREAKING---GLUNKING WATER PUMP LEAK AT 23000 MILES--FIX EST.$835.00--29295 MI SUSPENSION NOISY YET 32655 MI ON CAR. RELACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER $532.42---32600 MI REPLACE 4 TIRES $314.00---32525 MI TOOK 3 YEARS TO GET BRAKES UP TP PAR. SUSPENSION STILL A PROBLEM.OVER ALL THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. BATTERY---WINDSHIELD---POORLY BUILT A…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073144 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
MY FIRST ISSUE IS WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE MALIBU. MY LIGHT DEVELOPED CONDENSATION IN THEM WHICH IN THE REAR CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GLOW DIM, AND CAUSED E TO GET PULLED OVER ON A NUMBER OF TIMES. IN THE FRONT IT HAS CAUSED THE GLASS SHIELD TO FOG CAUSING ME TO FAIL VEHICLE INSPECTION. THERE HAVE ARE MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS ON MY CAR SUCH AS THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM, THE POWER MOON ROOF, THE MANUFACTURER'S CD PLAYER, THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH. THEN IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH EMISSIONS. THE HEADLINER IS FALLING OFF THE CEILING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080895 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
I BOUGHT A 1997-MALIBU LS BRAND NEW. BEFORE IT TURNED 14,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE WORK DONE ON BRAKES. BEFORE EVEN TURNING 30,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB, (2ND SET) TIRES, WATER PUMP, WHEEL CYLINDERS, MY HEAD LIGHTS POP ON, AND I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 33,000 MILES.THE DEALER WERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID UNLESS THEY SEE THE LIGHTS POP ON.THEY COULD DO NOTHING. GM SENT OUT A RECALL. WHICH I DID TAKE MY CAR INTO DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM A FEW TIMES.I MOVED BACK TO INDIANA AND TOOK IT TO COYLE CHEVROLET IN N…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080895 at NHTSA ↗