Problems · NHTSA complaints
2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Owners filed 1,021 complaints about the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx with NHTSA between Oct 2006 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is steering (677).
Complaints
1,021
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
37
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering677
- Electrical system120
- Air bags93
- Fuel system, gasoline49
- Power train48
- Service brakes37
- Fuel/propulsion system36
- Exterior lighting34
- Vehicle speed control32
- Engine29
- Seats23
- Suspension22
- Electronic stability control (esc)22
- Seat belts14
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
12
9
18
58
66
51
70
215
194
59
58
71
47
33
15
13
15
7
6
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 66 |
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2013 | 70 |
| 2014 | 215 |
| 2015 | 194 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 58 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
677 reports19 crashes1 related recall
“The power steering on my vehicle is not working. I believe it may be a malfunction with the torque sensor. It is available for inspection upon request. This was a safety risk because the steering wheel was shaking as I was driving. Thankfully, it never locked up on me while on the road, however if it had, it could've caused a life-threatening accident as I am constantly driving on large 4 lane highways. I know that there is a safety recall open for 2007 chevrolet malibu's regarding the torque sensor and power steering, however my vehicle does not seem to fall under this safety recall for some reason? I attempted to have it serviced by my local dealer, but they do not want to service it under the recall. I believe that if this is a known issue on SOME 2007 chevrolet malibu's, then it should be repaired under the safety recall even if my VIN is not associated with it.”
Electrical system
120 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The steering wheel start shaking and then on the middle console it showed “POWER STEERING”. Now whenever I drive it it’ll pop up and the steering wheel locks up and it is scary because it doesn’t move. And when I turn of the car it’ll unlock but as soon as I start driving it again it does it again.”
Air bags
93 reports12 crashes1 fire
“I was driving and lost power randomly it came back in less than a minute but just lost power could certainly cause an accident... And the service airbag light is on and seemingly has the same issues as the 2010 Malibu Maxx which was recalled and replaced free of charge and frankly I don't have the 1200 $ to make sure it doesn't kill me I'm not sure why with as many 2007s that this is an issue in why it isn't recalled...”
Fuel system, gasoline
49 reports1 crash
“THIS IS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE LATE DECEMBER AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE! WHILE DRIVING (WHETHER ON HIGHWAY AT 60+ MPH OR IN TOWN DOING UNDER 40MPH), POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES; ALONG WITH FUEL GAGE WILL CONSISTENTLY SHOW EMPTY. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG INDICATION LIGHT WILL GO FROM AIRBAG ON TO AIR BAG OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE ONLY THING THAT REMEDIES THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. *TR”
Power train
48 reports1 crash1 related recall
“I can hear the U joint clicking like it wants to fail and suddenly randomly there is a loss of powersteering. This issue caused my father who is on oxygen to go to the hospital.”
Service brakes
37 reports2 crashes
“I am financing a 2007 chevy malibu from r n r car co on 411 gratiot in mt Clemens has had one problem after the other first the brakes went fix I told them there was a sway problem up front wanted it fixed before I took it off the lot they did not I could’ve been seriously hurt the sway bar tie rod n control arm went in the front of the car dealership said would help with half the bill didn’t help fixed now my car wants to shut down and hesitate to go over 45 miles an hour the crankshaft position sensor wire n some button might need to be fixed im on social security seeking4 help from the va to help me get it fixed told dealership abt this wants 100 an hour from me to fix it plz advise thank you monica wheeler”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.