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KLUNK
KLUNK

2007 Chevrolet Malibu

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (644 complaints) and electrical (150 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

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The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints

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5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200010520737925315
2001957335520514
200265513621126
20031195629412913
200411207731410084
20057547833816259
20069217617616151
20076443915011742
20084807525612477
2009744150404100107
2010538184368153114
20113243832020091
20122806038414633
20132474433725637
201495355614233
20156713828124
201621575110334122
2017182419829999
20181453483313111
20192610336950
20202129306644
2021190181819
2022212143316
202319210171
2024112822
202550101

By Category

Body
644
Electrical
150
Engine
117
Transmission
42
Brakes
39

By Severity

1
459
2
488
3
6
4
39

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

No power steering for 25min drive home. Next day it worked. Dealership said it had an expired recall for power steering fix. No work was done by dealership.

1mo ago
Body 2

The power steering on my vehicle is not working. I believe it may be a malfunction with the torque sensor. It is available for inspection upon request. This was a safety risk because the steering wheel was shaking as I was driving. Thankfully, it never locked up on me while on the road, however if it had, it could've caused a life-threatening accident as I am constantly driving on large 4 lane highways. I know that there is a safety recall open for 2007 chevrolet malibu's regarding the torque sensor and power steering, however my vehicle does not seem to fall under this safety recall for some reason? I attempted to have it serviced by my local dealer, but they do not want to service it under the recall. I believe that if this is a known issue on SOME 2007 chevrolet malibu's, then it should be repaired under the safety recall even if my VIN is not associated with it.

5mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reversing, the message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle became difficult to steer, requiring extra effort in maneuvering the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating abnormally with the message “Power Steering Fault” displayed. While driving at an undisclosed speed on another occasion, the steering wheel continuously vibrated. The message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

5mo ago
Body 2

After several years of instability, the power steering on my 2007 Chevy Malibu has started to lock up while driving. Turning of the vehicle is then difficult. The issue resolves only by turning the engine off and then on again, but does not remain resolved.The readout on the dash informs me that there is an issue with the power steering. I spoke with Chevrolet customer service and was told that they would not assist me financially in fixing the problem. They explained that there is no recall on vehicles with my VIN, although I see that there have been in the past. The number of issues reported on this website indicates that this issue is ongoing and widespread, and no one appears to be getting assistance by the manufacture. I suppose it's going to take a few fatalities to get the attention of Chevrolet and the NHTSA before some sort of action is taken.

15mo ago
Body 2

The power steering fails. Chevrolet (manufacturer) and Pine Belt Chevrolet (NJ) both claim that our vehicle was in for the recall and did not have an issue. The power steering has failed since we bought the car new in 2006. The problem was intermittent for years, but recently the power steering fails 5 or more times during a 10 mile trip. We shut the car off and restart it and the power steering comes back on. We contacted Chevrolet. They told us our car was repaired/checked for the recall and they are not responsible. We feel that since there was a recall for this that they should fix the problem. They told us that the parts are not under warranty but since it was a recall we think it should still be covered under the recall. We are currently in Florida and don't know if it is safe to drive the car back home to NJ.

16mo ago
Body 2

My electrical power steering motor is no good on car it is at risk of causing harm to me

16mo ago
Body 2

The contact's mother owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed with the "Power Steering Fault" message displayed. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the power steering failure occurred, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

17mo ago
Body 2

My 2007 Chevy Malibu began experiencing intermittent power steering failure at around 103,000 miles. This issue makes the vehicle extremely dangerous to drive, even though it is not classified as an official recall because it only affects certain VIN numbers. However, I see multiple other owners reporting the same problem, proving this is a widespread defect. I had the issue diagnosed as a failing torque sensor, which was previously covered under Chevrolet’s Special Coverage Adjustment 10183. Unfortunately, this coverage expired in 2022 or at 120,000 miles—yet my vehicle has significantly less mileage and still exhibits the defect. Chevrolet has refused to take responsibility for this known issue. The previous owner of the vehicle passed away before the car transferred ownership to me, so it was impossible to have this defect fixed while coverage was still active. This leaves me, and others in my situation, vulnerable to a sudden and unexpected loss of steering assistance. This defect poses a severe safety risk. If the power steering fails at high speeds, in rainy conditions, or on the freeway, it could lead to an accident. I strongly urge NHTSA to investigate this issue further and pressure Chevrolet to extend coverage or issue an official recall.

17mo ago
Body 1

UNKNOWN Power steering randomly shakes and turns and goes out even if fire is stealing is in the common fluid. It is super dangerous and stops working on the highway periodically and I cannot turn it. I’ve saw other safety concerns about this and it has been recognized so I’m hoping that someone will do the same

17mo ago
Body 1

Hello, my 2007 Malibu has a problem with the power steering. The steering wheel becomes hard. This is a problem that has already been detected, but why does this campaign not appear on my car? I am attaching a link to the information: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

21mo ago
Electrical 1

I was driving and lost power randomly it came back in less than a minute but just lost power could certainly cause an accident... And the service airbag light is on and seemingly has the same issues as the 2010 Malibu Maxx which was recalled and replaced free of charge and frankly I don't have the 1200 $ to make sure it doesn't kill me I'm not sure why with as many 2007s that this is an issue in why it isn't recalled...

23mo ago
Body 2

Vehicle loses power steering at times, turn vehicle off, it works for a bit, then loses power again making if very difficult to steer, on going problem and every time take to mechanic, it is working fine, and told to bring when it is malfunctioning, hard to do that, for never know when it will, on going issue with other 07 malibus

28mo ago
Engine 2

MY GAS GAUGE HASN'T BEEN WORKING FOR A FEW YEARS AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT, IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF CHEVY MALIBUS HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM

28mo ago
Body 1

On [XXX] we experienced sudden loss of electronic power steering while driving, at the same time the power steering indicator light came on the dash. We were not able to turn the wheel and had to stop in the middle of the road. We had the vehicle brought to Chevrolet of Turnersville NJ on [XXX] and they diagnosed the problem as need torque sensor replaced. This is the exact same symptom/issue and part that was recalled under safety recall #[XXX] but for some reason this particular vehicle was not added to the recall list although it is the same year and manufacture date as those covered under the recall. We have experienced the exact problem that the recall addressed and posed a safety hazard while driving and is currently not able to be driven safely. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

28mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the roadway. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel started shuddering, was making an abnormal ticking sound, and was significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

28mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

29mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

32mo ago
Body 2

Inherited this car with only 5000 original miles. Power steering fault comes on display constantly. Power steering completely cuts out occasionally rendering the steering nearly impossible to turn.

32mo ago
Body 2

Steering failure! steering locks up while driving light comes on. I have to restart engine several times so the steering works. I have replaced the steering sensor 4 times. i have heard this problem from many people and the gm dealer will no longer address this problem. when the steering does work the steering wheel has tendency to turn hard right. when working it turns right easy and left harder. I have had to drive several miles with no steering until I can stop somewhere and restart the car. Why would GM not resolve this dangerous situation! This has been going on since I bought it in 2022.

32mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact's daughter owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,111.

34mo ago

992 total

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