1997 Chevrolet Malibu vs 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Chevrolet Malibu | 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 443 | 810 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 119 | 102 |
| Investigations | 7 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 22 | 34 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 109 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 19–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,000 mi | 105,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Pontiac Grand Prix |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 80 | 216 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 60 | 136 |
| Exterior Lighting | 40 | 149 |
| Electrical System | 87 | 88 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 100 | 42 |
| Visibility | 41 | 78 |
| Suspension | 55 | 26 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 56 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 28 | 0 |
| Stalling | 18 | 24 |
| Clunking / rattling | 12 | 9 |
| Won’t start | 7 | 0 |
| Overheating | 7 | 11 |
| Brake problems | 6 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 34 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 24 |
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Pontiac Grand Prix 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.