Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Classic with NHTSA between 2009 and 2019.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2007 compares with every other Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
850.0%
Median failure at 77,750 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
318.8%
Median failure at 102,162 miles
Airbags
212.5%
Median failure at 81,000 miles
Seat Belts
16.3%
Median failure at 70,122 miles
Suspension
16.3%
Median failure at 48,000 miles
Electrical System
16.3%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
426.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
320.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
320.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
533.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2009peak 3Jul 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 37,000 milesMadison, WI
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CHEVY DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AND I NEED A NEW PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. THEY SAID THIS IS UP TO ME TO FIND. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A NEW ONE AND CANNOT FIND IT ANYWHERE. I ALSO CALLED GM AND THEY GAVE ME SOME WEBSITES TO TRY, WHICH WAS TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS GOING TO BE DRIVING IT IF WE CAN FIX IT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT THIS POINT, AND VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVROLET AND GM. WE OWN 2 CHEVROLET'S
NHTSA complaint #11234544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesKilleen, TX
STEERING
I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG IN MY TOWN KILLEEN. I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE STREET. I WAS AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY TWO DAYS LATER COMING FROM TEMPLE TEXAS AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. I READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. AFTER ENTERING MY VIN WITH GENERAL MOTORS, I LEARNED IT WAS NOT SO. I ONLY HAVE 48000 MILES ON MY CAR. I CANNOT PAY FOR STEERING REPAIRS PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX]. I INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY AUNT: [XXX] UPON HER DEATH IN 2017. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11222692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesKilleen, TX
SUSPENSION
I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG IN MY TOWN KILLEEN. I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE STREET. I WAS AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY TWO DAYS LATER COMING FROM TEMPLE TEXAS AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. I READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. AFTER ENTERING MY VIN WITH GENERAL MOTORS, I LEARNED IT WAS NOT SO. I ONLY HAVE 48000 MILES ON MY CAR. I CANNOT PAY FOR STEERING REPAIRS PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX]. I INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY AUNT: [XXX] UPON HER DEATH IN 2017. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11222692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,945 milesBaltimore, MD
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2007 MALIBU FROM JD BYRYDER IN MAY 2017, JAN.04, WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THEN REDUCED TO MANUAL STEERING, I COULD NOT TURN BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO TURN WHEEL. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND A RECALL ON POWER ASSIST FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE GONE TO GM DEALER WHO PROMISED TO FIX AND 30 MINUTES INTO REPAIR I WAS TOLD WARRANT EXPIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE POWER ASSIST ISSUE OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #11062929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesFarley, IA
STEERING
I OWN A 2007 CHEVY MALIBU THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WILL QUIT WORKING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE IGNITION HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON FOR IT TO START WORKING. THE SYMPTOMS IT HAS ARE ALL CONSISTENT WITH THE GM RECALL FOR OTHER 2006 AND 2007 MALIBUS, BUT CURRENTLY THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS OPERATING IN THE GENERAL AREA OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10967073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesMeridian, MS
AIR BAGS
MECHANISM UNDER PASSENGER SEAT INOPERATIVE FOR AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint #10920046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesBrunswick, GA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. EVENTUALLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, DISCOVERED THAT THE UP AND DOWN GEAR BOX THAT ALLOWED THE STEERING COLUMN TO ADJUST UP AND DOWN, FRACTURED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10723371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesLake Orion, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SO WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IT WONT START AND THE ANTI THEFT SIGN ON THE DASH BOARD KEEPS BLINKING. SO I CANT START THE CAR AND TRIED LOCKING MY CAR AND UNLOCKING AND STARTING AGAIN STILL NOTHING. I CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY IS FINE AND KEPT ON TRYING TO STARTED IT I CAN SEE THE SIGN THAT SAYS THE CAR IS LOCKED. FOR NO REASON THIS HAPPENED, I CAME HOME THAT NIGHT AND IN THE MORNING IT DIDN'T START. SO IT MOST LIKELY IS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEM FROM MY ADVISE FROM MY MECHANIC. I READ ONLINE THAT IT CAN TURN OFF THE CAR AND HAVE TO WAIT AN HOUR THEN START IT BACK UP AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO HAVE IF THIS SECURITY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM FAILS OUT OF NO WHERE. ALSO I CHECKED MY KEY FOR DAMAGE AND STILL DOESN'T WORK. BUT THIS WILL MOST LIKELY COST ME $300-500 FOR A SIMPLE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10669770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,500 milesDetroit, MI
STEERING
CAR STARTED NORMALLY BUT WHEN PUT IN GEAR THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. HAVE TO RE-START CAR TWO OR THREE TIMES BEFORE DRIVING NORMALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10611117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesFuquay Varina, NC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEVER SENSOR CODE: P0463.
NHTSA complaint #10561049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rutland, VT
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SENSOR, THOUGHT IT WAS FUEL LEVEL SENSOR BUT APPARENTLY FROM ALL OTHERS REPORTS THESE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE REMOTE START TO WORK. ALSO IDLES ROUGH SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10481420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,122 milesAnniston, AL
SEAT BELTS
I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND WAS SLOWING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHEN THE I HEARD THIS LOUD SOUND LIKE A SPRING BEING POPPED. THEN MY SEAT BELT RELEASED. IT HAD COME OUT OF THE WINDER AND HAD TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10479576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,325 milesAnniston, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE LOW FUEL LIGHT AND WARNING CAME ON AS I BEGAN TO PULL OUT OF A SERVICE STATION. IF I FILL UP ON GAS ANYWHERE THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ON UNTIL MY GAS LEVEL IS LESS THAN HALF. THIS CAUSES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO REMAIN ON CONSTANTLY AND DISABLES THE REMOTE START FUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10479573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCumberland, RI
STEERING
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING TURNS ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED, DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND ALL SPEEDS IN BETWEEN. POWER STEERING TURNS BACK ON ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO THIRTY SECONDS OR SO. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN APPLIED TO, HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL BE DONE SOON BEFORE SOME ONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10432415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesDubuque, IA
STEERING
2007 MALIBU HAS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE CHEVROLET DEALER/REPAIR DEPARTMENT SAY THE ELECTRIC MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST AROUND $700.00. FROM THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN AND READ IT DOES NOT APPEAR MY SITUATION IS AN ISOLATED ONE. WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING IS HARD AND THERE IS A LOT OF CLUNKING NOISE. THE STEERING MAKES THE NOISE AND STEERS HARD ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10384646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesST. Paul, MN
STEERING
WE OWN A 2007MALIBU LT. A CLUNK DEVELOPED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT ABOUT 37,000 MILES. IT KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES. OUR MECHANIC LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN BUT SAID WE MAY NEED THE UPDATED COLUMN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT OTHER CHEVY OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND CHEVY IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY START FAILING AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED?
NHTSA complaint #10289989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.