1997 Chevrolet Malibu vs 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Chevrolet Malibu | 1998 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 443 | 976 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 119 | 115 |
| Investigations | 7 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 22 | 34 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 5 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 21–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 85,000 mi | 80,731 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 100 | 347 |
| Electrical System | 87 | 130 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 60 | 144 |
| Suspension | 55 | 108 |
| Steering | 80 | 74 |
| Exterior Lighting | 40 | 79 |
| Visibility | 41 | 63 |
| Tires | 17 | 58 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 28 | 87 |
| Stalling | 18 | 37 |
| Clunking / rattling | 12 | 22 |
| Won’t start | 7 | 14 |
| Overheating | 7 | 21 |
| Brake problems | 6 | 15 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 15 |
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1998 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Chevrolet Malibu years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.