2007 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data

1252
Total Complaints
100,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
53
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

68,902 25th Percentile
100,000 Median Mileage
136,843 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Steering
656
Electrical System
104
Air Bags
75
Fuel System, Gasoline
47
Power Train
42
Fuel/Propulsion System
36
Service Brakes
36
Vehicle Speed Control
29
Engine
28
Exterior Lighting
24

Severity Assessment

53
Crashes
2
Fires
51
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ALL OTHER GEARS WERE SMOOTH AND QUIET. THREE SEPARATE SERVICE DEALERS HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WERE AWARE OF THE KNOCKING SOUND, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE NOISE WAS COMMON WITH THE VEHICLE..."
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ALL OTHER GEARS WERE SMOOTH AND QUIET. THREE SEPARATE SERVICE DEALERS HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WERE AWARE OF THE KNOCKING SOUND, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE NOISE WAS COMMON WITH THE VEHICLE..."
"2006 MALIBU MAX WITH SHAKING PROBLEMS**CC *JB"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Steering 656 complaints
25th: 75,000 mi Median: 105,500 mi 75th: 140,108 mi
Electrical System 104 complaints
25th: 75,000 mi Median: 107,500 mi 75th: 145,000 mi
Air Bags 75 complaints
25th: 51,000 mi Median: 97,000 mi 75th: 128,144 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline 47 complaints
25th: 45,000 mi Median: 68,000 mi 75th: 90,000 mi
Power Train 42 complaints
25th: 62,000 mi Median: 90,841 mi 75th: 107,500 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 92 MI: 87 IL: 86 OH: 70 NY: 63 PA: 62 WI: 55 TX: 55 MO: 52 FL: 43

Who Files Complaints?

1.8%
Original Owners
98.2%
Second+ Owners

Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
199769334
1998148053
1999122761
2000137971
2001100551
200275428
200377252
2004163978
2005138567
2006147359
2008148254
2009235464
2010219372
2011151271
2012147093
2013136750
201456132
201538930
2016142437
2017115725
2018116634
20192939
202030715
2021990
20221166
2023485

Active Recalls (6)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Wiring
Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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 let
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 15V064000 | 04/02/2015
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.
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 expa
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 14V224000 | 30/04/2014
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 veh
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.
Steering
Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014
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.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 11E009000 | 28/02/2011
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
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
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.

Protect Your Steering System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
  • Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
  • Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
  • Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
  • Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28