Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1977 Malibu.
The 1977 Chevrolet Malibu marks the historical starting point of a complaint record that spans 1997 to 2025, capturing nearly three decades of owner feedback on the nameplate. Within that window the data shows a striking spread — 1,697 complaints logged in 2004 against just 7 in 2025 — defining the upper and lower bounds against which any year in the lineage is read. For a researcher, this means the 1977 model's reliability standing cannot be drawn from its own era alone but must be situated within a lineage whose reported issues have swung from their highest observed level to nearly negligible. The 1977 year therefore functions less as a self-contained data point than as the chronological anchor for a nameplate whose complaint volume has since traversed nearly the full range the dataset captures.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 202.4 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 52.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3609 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Classic Landau Coupe 5.0L V8 | 10.80 sec | 18.40 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
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.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.