Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 992 complaints about the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Oct 2006 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is steering (675).

Complaints
992
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
37
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering675
  2. Electrical system114
  3. Air bags77
  4. Power train47
  5. Fuel system, gasoline47
  6. Fuel/propulsion system39
  7. Service brakes36
  8. Vehicle speed control31
  9. Exterior lighting29
  10. Engine28
  11. Suspension23
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)22
  13. Seats16
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20061
200712
20088
200916
201055
201162
201251
201362
2014211
2015190
201656
201757
201871
201949
202033
202115
202212
202315
20247
20256
20263

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

675 reports19 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2026SteeringODI 11715777

Electrical system

114 reports3 crashes1 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11572843

Air bags

77 reports12 crashes
“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...”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2024Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11606539

Power train

47 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2022Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11490174

Fuel system, gasoline

47 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2017Steering, Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10947417

Fuel/propulsion system

39 reports1 crash
“While driving along the highway the steering wheel began to turn slightly by itself and powering steering displayed on dash and wheel was hard to steer. Fuel pump floater goes out”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2022Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11452155
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.