Car Record Book

2007 Chevrolet Malibu recalls & problems

The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 safety recalls and 977 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (673 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints977filed by owners
Crashes · fires37 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths34 · 0reported in complaints
2007 Chevrolet Malibu in an NHTSA crash test
2007 Chevrolet Malibu in an NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 15V064000 · Feb 4, 2015 · 69,633 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Steering

NHTSA recall 14E044000 · Jul 21, 2014 · 7,304 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electronic stability control (esc)

NHTSA recall 14V252000 · May 14, 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Components: Electronic stability control (esc); Vehicle speed control › Cruise control; Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch; Exterior lighting › Brake lights; Electrical system › Wiring

Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

NHTSA recall 14V224000 · Apr 30, 2014 · 1,131,113 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Power train › Automatic transmission

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 11E009000 · Feb 28, 2011 · 4,887 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Fix: 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.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2007 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

2007 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Malibu

25mpg combined
City / highway21 / 31 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Malibu

23mpg combined
City / highway19 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Malibu

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Steering
Electric power assist system; Column
67320013105,000 mi
Electrical system
Ignition; Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
113301118,850 mi
Air bags
751201097,000 mi
Power train
Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
5210191,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
4710068,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3610179,007 mi
Service brakes
36201104,668 mi
Vehicle speed control
Accelerator pedal; Cruise control
3130399,840 mi
Exterior lighting
Brake lights; Headlights
30000108,500 mi
Engine
2800092,433 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
22207167,000 mi
Suspension
Front
2220277,800 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.