ChevroletMalibu1977Overview/chevrolet/malibu/1977/base/

1977 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1977 Malibu.

The 1977 Chevrolet Malibu, a model from the Malibu line, predates the complaint history data covering 1997 through 2025, where the highest number of complaints (1,697) was recorded in 2004 and the lowest (7) in 2025. This places the 1977 model year outside the direct reliability metrics of the later years, but it remains a foundational entry in the Malibu lineage.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181977

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height52.4 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3609 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.80 sec — 1978 Classic Landau Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1978Classic Landau Coupe 5.0L V810.80 sec18.40 sec145 hpRWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

78V138000Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle ShaftReported 13/06/1978

THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS MAY CONTAIN A FLAW IN THE METAL. THIS FLAW COULD ALLOW THE SHAFT TO BREAK AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Malibu. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1977 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.