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ProblemsByVinFile / 2007-CHEVROLET-MALIBUNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 992 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 6 active recall campaigns.
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 992 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 675 complaints, typically surfacing around 108,763 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2007 Malibu?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 675 owner reports
· tends to show around 108,763 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 62 owner reports
· tends to show around 108,851 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 54 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,078 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
fuel system — 44 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,664 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 96,078 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2007 Malibu· electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The warning indicators on the instrument panel illuminated, but the engine did not start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet malibu. After refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed empty. In addition, the check engine and the fuel warning lights continuously illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel…
Recently experienced loss of steering power in my vehicle more than once while driving at a low speed. It has happened with my teenage son behind the wheel. Turned the car off and restarted to clear out the warning on the radio display. The steering wheel is also…
Chevy malibu recall. My power steering goes out in the middle of me driving. It is a real safety hazzard when I never know when it will go out! My VIN # is not on the list to get fixed but fits the recall description! I even had this problem before the recall accrued and had the…
Had a problem with your 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 675 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 108,763 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 992 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 108,763 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 675 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 108,763 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 108,763 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 992 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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