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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2008, crash
I WAS DRIVING A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU UNDERCOVER POLICE CAR. I WAS CHASING AN ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT AND WAS DRIVING 53 MPH ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. I LEFT SOLID DARK BLACK SKID MARKS FOR OVER A HUNDRED FEET PRIOR TO MY IMPACT. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED AND THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING AN ONE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. AFTER ABOUT EIGHTY FEET OF SOLID SKID AND NO STEERING CONTROL, I WAS FORCED TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDDLE SLIGHTLY TO GAIN STEERING SO I WOULD NOT STRIKE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SQUARELY ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, POSSIBLY KILLING THE ELDERLY DRIVER, WHO RAN A STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND AIR LIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO MY INJURIES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2008
CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED AND WHEN IT FINALLY PICKS UP SPEED IT SHOOTS AHEAD, HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND AND HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME WHEN IT SHOOTS AHEAD. HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 5 TIMES, THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH CAR. HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET ALSO TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. *TR
Steering, Mar 13, 2008
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY 2007 CHEVY MALIBU MAKING TURNING VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE MANUALLY. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED THE STEERING - NO CHANGE. I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING RESET. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. IF I AM SETTING STILL, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT AND THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. ALSO I HAVE NOTICED DURING DRIVING AND STILL (WAITING AT A LIGHT) THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO PULSATE BACK AND FORTH. I REPORTED THIS TO DEALERSHIP A MONTH AGO WHEN VEHICLE WAS OIL SERVICED. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING AT THAT TIME. I SEE FROM RESEARCH THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2004 MODEL, BUT CANNOT FIND ANY REMEDY. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHER VEHICLES HAVE CRASHED DUE TO THIS AND I PREFER TO NOT BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THUS KILLING SOMEONE IN MY CAR OR ANOTHER. *TR
Structure, Jan 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT OR LATCH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR FAILURES WITH ANY OF THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000.
Power train, Dec 20, 2007
I PURCHASED MY 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN MARCH '07. FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO I HAD BEEN HEARING A POPPING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED BARTOW CHEVROLET AND ASKED THEM IF ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END ON THE MALIBU'S. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD INFORMED ME THERE WERE A FEW PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT THEIR VEHICLES IN. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK MY CAR THIS MORNING TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. AFTER THAT WAS REPLACED ONE OF THE MECHANICS TEST DROVE THE CAR AND STILL HEARD A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK NEXT WEEK SO THEY CAN ALSO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT END. *TR
Structure, Nov 23, 2007
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BACK DOORS ON MY CAR CLOSING WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE....MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR TWICE WHEN THE DOORS OPENED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THEN ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE THURWAY THE DOOR OPENED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING...I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY SEEM TO THINK THIS IS NOT SERIOUS....VERY UPSET WITH GM! *TR
Steering, Nov 20, 2007
STEERING CUTS IN AND OUT IN AN UNPREDICTABLE WAY. *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO KEEP TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE FAILURE CAN BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,415 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR
Air bags, Sep 23, 2007
I RECENTLY LEASED A 2007 MALIBU. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN A CUSHION IS PLACED ON IT TO GIVE MY WIFE THE HEIGHT SO SHE CAN SEE. APPARENTLY THE SENSORS ARE SET TO A HEAVY WEIGHT, SO IF THERE ARE SMALL PEOPLE SUCH AS CHILDREN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE IF THEY SIT ON A CUSHION. I SPOKE TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE IN DETROIT, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IN DESIGNING A SAFETY SYSTEM, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SMALLER AND LIGHTER PEOPLE, OR HAVE A FIX AVAILABLE SO THE SYSTEM WORKS. *TR
Visibility, Aug 1, 2007
ON 7/20 MY CHEVROLET MALIBU'S SUNROOF EXPLODED. I FELT IT WAS A FLUKE OR DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON I-96 AND ENTERING I-94 DURING THE MORNING HEADING TOWARDS MY GRANDSON'S DAY CAMP. AFTER COMING OUT OF THE OVERPASS ENTRANCE FROM 96 TO 94, WITHIN LESS THAN A 1/4 MILE, I HEARD THIS TREMENDOUSLY LOUD SOUNDS AND GLASS BEGAN TO SHOWER ME AND MY GRANDSON CAUSING MINORS CUTS. I AM GRATEFUL I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I LEASED THIS CAR ON 6/1. IT IS LESS THAN 60 DAYS OLD. RICHARD VOSS FROM JEFFERSON CHEVROLET HAD THE GLASS REMOVED WITHOUT SO MUCH AS INDICATING TO ME THAT HE FELT SOMETHING HIT THE CAR AND WHEREAS I HAD EXPLAINED TO HIM, FROM THE DIRECTION I WAS TRAVELING, THE SPEED OF THE WIND THAT DAY, THE SOUND OF THE EXPLOSION, THE LACK OF HEARING ANY OBJECT HIT THE TOP OF THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ERUPTION, ELIMINATED MY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CLAIMS ADJUSTER VIEW THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. I FEEL THAT MY RIGHTS TO A FAIR DETERMINATION WERE ELIMINATED ALONG WITH THE REMOVAL OF ANY EVIDENCE TO VERIFY EITHER CLAIM AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED FROM THE PENETRATION OF A FOREIGN OBJECT OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. GLASS SHATTERED ALL OVER ME AND MY GRANDSON. WE FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE. WE ONLY SUFFERED MINOR CUTS AND TENSION. I ONLY HOPE THAT IT IS NOT BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT THAT THIS CLAIM HAS NOT MERITED FURTHER INVESTIGATION; AS WELL AS A MAJOR DEALER NOT WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BROKEN GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF. *TR
Seat belts, Jul 30, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE AN ADULT. THERE IS A STITCHING ON THE SEAT BELT THAT BECOMES STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO INSTALL A SEAT BELT EXTENDER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A REPAIR INVOICE AND THE BILL OF SALE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/13/07 *TR
Seat belts, Jun 21, 2007
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON MY 2007 CHEVY MAILIBU HAS STITCHING THAT DOES NOT ALLOW IT TO POSITION ITSELF EASILY ON SMALLER PERSONS. THE SEATBELT OFTEN DOES NOT FIT SNUG BECAUSE THE STITCHING DOES NOT SLIDE EASILY THROUGH THE BUCKLE SO THE LAP BELT ISN'T SITTING SNUGLY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN TWICE AND THE BELT THEY REORDER HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING MORE.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2007, crash
EXITING ON OFF-RAMP... ACCELERATOR STUCK... WHEN I REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE CAR ACCELERATED AS THE WHEELS WERE TURNED... ALMOST WENT INTO SPIN... TURNED WHEELS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED... AFTER SPIN WAS UNDER CONTROL... BRAKES WERE RELEASED THEN ACCELERATOR KICKED IN AND VEHICLE SPED UP WHILE WHEELS WERE TURNED AND COLLIDED WITH WALL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE... *TR
Seats, Apr 10, 2007
I AM AN AEROSPACE STRUCTURAL TECHNICIAN NOW RETIRED, AND I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WELD BUSTED DUE TO MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP, CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROTATE BACKWARDS AND TO THE RIGHT. CONTACTED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY REPLIED, SORRY ABOUT THAT! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Apr 9, 2007
PURCHASED CAR 5/06 ,RETURNED TO THE DEALER 30 DAYS LATER WITH WITH SEVERE BRAKE AND ROTOR DAMAGE. I HAVE SINCE THEN REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS 3 TIMES, AND MY CAR WAS A ANOTHER DEALER WHO FOUND THAT A CLAMP WAS LEFT ON THE BRAKE LINE WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE DAMAGE. PURCHASING DEALER WAS NORM REEVES HONDA , HUNTINGTON BEACH,CA , AND SERVICING DEALER COMMUNITY CHEVROLET, BURBANK CA. THE PURCHASING DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIRS AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR WHICH I SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.*AK
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2007
2006 MALIBU MAX WITH SHAKING PROBLEMS**CC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Oct 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ALL OTHER GEARS WERE SMOOTH AND QUIET. THREE SEPARATE SERVICE DEALERS HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WERE AWARE OF THE KNOCKING SOUND, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE NOISE WAS COMMON WITH THE VEHICLE AND WOULD DIMINISH WITH TIME. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS. UPDATED 12/01/06 *JB