Problems · by component

2007 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system problems

114 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu cite electrical system, 11% of all 992 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
114
11% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I bought the car and the next day it randomly locked up my steering in the middle of traffic. If I turn my car off then turn it on while jerking the wheel side to side it will allow me power steering for just a short moment. Once it worked for a month continuously without shutting off on me then it randomly started locking up again. There’s no symptoms or warning except for the car steers on its own while in park. The wheel moves and makes a screeching noise. It’s locked up on me in traffic numerous times. It’s a huge hazard. Trying to get off the street when it locks up is just a safety hazard for everyone around.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11557797
“The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the four doors would inadvertently lock and unlock, causing the battery to drain quickly. The contact used pliers to unlock and open the doors. Additionally, the headlights were dimmed, and the turn signals intermittently failed to operate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the Body Control Module (BCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2023Exterior lighting, Electrical systemODI 11543383
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2023Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11540992
“When I start my car my steering wheel dances vibrates. When I'm driving 30 mph it will pull me to the right side of the road and be hard to steer. It does this a lot it scares me I'm disabled and have a hard time driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2023Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11534374
“I was driving in the country and my vehicle power steering and electronic setting started messing up while I was driving 50 miles an hour while it was locking up I was confused and then pulled over and thought it was just a glitch in the computer system I then turned off my car and then turned it back on and everything seemed fine while I was driving after a minute the steering wheel locked again and there was a deer in front of me my insurance went up because of this incident and I lost my car for a month once I got my car again from the body shop it stopped locking up on the steering wheel then last Friday I brought it to the mechanic and he told me the steering is electronic so there is nothing he can do and that I will have to take it to a dealer the computer system in these cars are messed up and they are dangerous to drive there are thousands of complaints just like this and recalls for GM but for some reason the 2007 Chevy Malibu didn't make the cut.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2022Steering, Electrical systemCrash reportedODI 11449627

Showing 6 of 114 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: wiring

Remedy pending

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.

Electrical systemReported May 14, 2014NHTSA 14V252000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.