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
992 reports, newest first.
Steering, Engine, Mar 18, 2015
STEERING: (2014-2015) THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. A POWER STEERING NOTICE APPEARS ON THE RADIO. HAD A MECHANIC CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID AND FOUND NO NEED, FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. POWER STEERING OUTAGES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE UNTIL FINALLY GOING OUT COMPLETELY IN MARCH 2015. POWER STEERING IS ON AT START-UP OF VEHICLE THEN GOES OUT IN FIRST MINUTE OR TWO OF DRIVING. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR @ $470. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES. ENGINE: (2014) ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED AFTER 5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE FINE AND THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. PAID $2000 FOR A USED ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED! NOW PAYING FOR THE "NOT COVERED" POWER STEERING ISSUE. PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO BUY A DIFFERENT MAKE OF VEHICLE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2015
I JUST GOT MY 2007 MALIBU LTZ AND AFTER I FILL THE TANK WITH GAS I DROVE THE CAR FOR 10 MILES WHEN GAUGE INDICATOR SHOW THAT I HAVE AN EMPTY TANK SINCE THAT DAY I NEVER HAVE AN ACCURATE READING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW I THINK ITS THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2015
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AT A SPECIFIC POSITION ON THE WHEEL. SPECIFICALLY RIGHT WHERE YOU WOULD KEEP THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE CAR DRIVE STRAIGHT. AFTER 2 DAYS OF THIS HAPPENING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY MORNING COMMUTE. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON CHEVY MALIBUS AND HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE '05, '06 AND '08 BUT FOR SOME REASON WAS NOT RECALLED ON THE '07, EVEN WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE ON ALL OTHER MODEL YEARS SURROUNDING IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ENTIRELY WHICH ENDED UP COSTING $1,300. *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Mar 13, 2015
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING WILL ENGAGE AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE, BUT WILL FAIL SECONDS LATER WITH CABIN NOTIFICATION "POWER STEERING" ON THE CONSOLE AND AUDIBLE RINGING. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V064000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Mar 11, 2015
STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL. LIGHT FLASHED ON BRIEFLY. STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF A FAULTY SENSOR. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AT NO COST. *TR
Steering, Mar 11, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RANDOMLY FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RAN FINE UNTIL 2/14/15. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, HE WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V064000(STEERING) AND WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN
Steering, Mar 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 38 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,880.
Power train, Mar 10, 2015
2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE VIN NUMBER ISSUES. *SMD
Steering, Mar 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V064000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Steering, Mar 6, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V064000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 6, 2015, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SCRATCH TO THE LEFT ARM THAT DID NOT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,439. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN
Steering, Mar 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ UPDATED 06/25/2015 *JS
Steering, Mar 4, 2015
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW. THEY DID A RECALL FOR MY CAR BUT APPARENTLY THE VIN ON MY CAR IS EXEMPT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
Steering, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Power train, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIFICS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Steering, Mar 4, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (POWER STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,181.
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Steering, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND UPON APPROACHING A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE BACK AND FORTH INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V064000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ONLY MANUAL STEERING WORKED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES,ALSO STEERING SHAKES WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND UNKNOWN PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V064000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT WHO WAS A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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