VehicleVerdict

2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,253 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Malibu year — the 2007 model ranks #13 of 42 Malibu years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 51 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 54% of all reports (673 of 1,253), far ahead of electrical system at 140.

1,253

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

53

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

51

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Malibu years?

See all Malibu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering67354%
Electrical System14011%
Fuel System897%
Airbags756%
Transmission524%
Brakes514%
Engine353%
Speed Control312%
Lighting302%
Suspension222%
Seats161%
Other141%
Seat Belts131%
Body & Structure60%
Tires & Wheels30%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V064000SteeringFebruary 4, 2015 · 69,633 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

14E044000SteeringJuly 21, 2014 · 7,304 units

Defect

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

Consequence

A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

14V252000Electrical SystemMay 14, 2014 · 2,440,524 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence

Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

14V224000TransmissionApril 30, 2014 · 1,131,113 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

Consequence

If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

11E009000Fuel SystemFebruary 28, 2011 · 4,887 units

Defect

TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy

TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A HEAD ON CRASH AT 45 MPH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY PLANNED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 21, 2011 · crash

DRIVING 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF SIDE STREET PROCEEDED TO ENGAGE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING ACCIDENT. A B S FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2009 · crash

I HAD GOT IN A CRASH IN 2010 SINCE THEN MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS GOING ON AND OFF. NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHTS STAY ON SAYING THERE NOT ON. I ALSO DO NOT HAVE A WORKING FUEL PUMP SENSOR. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 10, 2010 · crash

1 YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING AND I GOT HIT IN THE SIDE. FOR SOME REASON THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I GOT HIT PRETTY HARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN. I DROVE HOME WITH AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS FIXABLE ALTHOUGH IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT. ITS FIXED NOW BUT IVE ALWAYS HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 22, 2015 · crash

MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME HELPING TO CLEAN OUT THE CAR WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WITHOUT ANY KEYS OR ANYTHING. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK INTO PARK BUT ONLY AFTER IT HIT A FENCE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2010 · crash

2007 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,253 complaints put the 2007 model at #13 of 42 Malibu years. It is one of the Malibu years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Malibu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (673 complaints), electrical system (140 complaints), fuel system (89 complaints).

Does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020. The cleanest record among Malibu years belongs to 1977.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.