2007 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 992 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 37 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 4, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V064000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
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.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
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.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
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.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
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.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
77 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Oct 29, 2016
MECHANISM UNDER PASSENGER SEAT INOPERATIVE FOR AIRBAG
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 20, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF THE RECALL, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE IGNITION SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2016, 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 MY SUSPICION THAT IT IS PART OF THE RECALL. IT WAS MOVING, ON A STREET, ABOUT TO TURN WHEN SHE HIT ME. I DID NOT BRAKE.
Air bags, May 23, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT UP ON DASHBOARD ON DRIVER SIDE EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND STAYS ON. SHOWED TO DEALER AND ASKING FOR $120 JUST TO CHECK, AND SAID COULD GO UP TO $1200 IF IT NEED TO REPAIR. ANY RECALL ON THIS AIRBAG?
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED THROUGH A STEEL GATE AND ALSO INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN INJURIES, A LACERATED LIVER, AND LOSS OF EYESIGHT IN THE LEFT EYE. THE CONTACT REQUIRED EXTENSIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,798. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. UPDATED 06/23/16.*JB
Air bags, Feb 29, 2016
MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT FROM THE CHEVY DEALER AND NOW IT JUST STAYES ON ALL THE TIME MY INFO CENTER SAYS SERVICE AIRBAG SOON THE CHEVY MECHANIC SAYS MY AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND ALSO I READ ONLINE METAL FRAGMENTS CAN COME FLYING OUT CAUSEING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THE COST OF REPAIR IS SO HIGH $700 FOR THE PART NOT INCLUDING LABOR THIS IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS
Air bags, Aug 31, 2015
I CALLED GM 800-222-1020 TO REPORT THE AIRBAG ON MY 2007 CHEVY MALIBU AIRBAG KEEPS COMING ON AN OFF ON 8/22/15 I CALLED THE 1ST TIME NO ONE CALLED ME I CALLED ON 8/25/15 AND I CALLED TODAY 8/31/15. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSES...I DONT THINK THAT IS FAIR WHY WOULD THE AIR BAGS ON A CAR GO OUT????? I WAS TOLD ON THE PHONE THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY NOW THE STORY CHANGES. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS CAR, KNOWING THAT IF I CRASH I COULD DIE. ALSO I DONT THINK I GOT ALLLLL THE RECALLS FIXED IN MY CAR. PLEASE HELP. I KEEP ON GETTING THE RUN AROUNDS.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JULY 2007. IT WAS A USED VEHICLE. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE THE WORDS "PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDS SERVICE" SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Air bags, May 31, 2015
AIRBAG INDICATOR COMES ON
Air bags, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,044.
Air bags, May 13, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO COAST INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND RIGHT LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, May 10, 2015
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WILL NOT GO OUT.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 1, 2015, crash
THAT MORNING ABOUT 10:30 AM, TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DURING LIGHT RAINY ROAD CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE 70, WESTBOUND, IN ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI, WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE CAR IN WHICH I WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER, APPLIED HIS BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND SLID INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, COLLIDING THE FRONT END OF THE MALIBU INTO THE REAR END OF THE MAZDA SEDAN IN FRONT OF US, TWICE IMPACTING THE MAZDA SEDAN, TOTALING THE CHEVROLET MALIBU IN WHICH I WAS THE PASSENGER. AT NO TIME DID ANY AIR BAGS IN THE MALIBU DEPLOY. I SUFFERED A TORN MENISCUS IN MY LEFT KNEE WHICH REMAINS SCARRED AND PERIODICALLY PAINFUL. THE TWO PASSENGERS IN THE MAZDA MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED, AS WELL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED BUT NOT AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE. A MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED. *TR
Air bags, Feb 25, 2015
WHEN SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE KEY TURNED ON THE LEFT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS (OFF) AND WITH NOBODY IN THE RIGHT SEAT THE LIGHT SHOWS (ON) FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN GOES OUT, WHILE DRIVING WITH ONLY A DRIVER IN THE CAR IT STAYS THE SAME. *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2015
MY FUEL GAUGE SHOWS LOW FUEL MOST OF THE TIME .MY LIGHTS ON THE DASH CHANGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES THEN GAS GAUGE WORKS.THEN IT GOES OFF AND THINGS CHANGE AIR BAG WARNING COMES ON.THINGS JUST JUMP AROUND NEVER THE SAME MIX OF THINGS. *TR
Air bags, Feb 7, 2015
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG "OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN PASSENGER WEIGHT IS APPROXIMATELY 120 POUNDS OR LESS. THE "OFF" LIGHT WILL TURN OFF WHEN A HEAVIER PERSON IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER SAID, AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THAT THE WEIGHT SETTING WAS NOT ADJUSTABLE. CHEVROLET AND GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT ON THE INTERNET WAS NOT HELPFUL. THE VEHICLE IS USED INFREQUENTLY AND SELDOM WITH A PASSENGER. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 17,000 MILES. THE DEALER CONTACTED THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE ON 2/5/2015 AND HE SAID THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE TOLD HIM THAT THE CONDITION WAS WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS. THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFIRMED THAT WHEN THE "OFF" LIGHT IS ON THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR LIGHTWEIGHT ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *JS
Air bags, Feb 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN UPDATED 04/09/15*JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 31, 2015
SERVICE THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS UNTIL IT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. MECHANIC SAYS THE (BOX) IS BURNED OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED AT COST OF$300. I UNDERSTAND 07 MALIBU HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED SINCE AIRBAGS SAVE LIVES AND WITHOUT THEM WE ARE AT RISK. *TR
Air bags, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Jan 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Air bags, Jan 8, 2015
THE "SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING" COMES ON. A SENSOR, LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WAS REPLACED SOME MONTHS AGO. WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME SENSOR. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR AND SOME SAID THEY HAD TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Dec 6, 2014
SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING GOES ON CONTINUALLY. DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR AS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT WILL CHARGE ME OVER $750 TO REPAIR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY GM. HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER A YEAR WITH THIS CONDITION. *TR
Air bags, Nov 24, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 01/17/15*JB
Air bags, Oct 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,378. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/17/14*CN UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN