The Lemon Index2007 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu is better than average by owner complaints: 99 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 18 to 25 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,036 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 66K to 134K miles on the car (856 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 73K–140K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 75K–145K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–122K miles
Recalls 6
- steering 2015
In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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 vehicle…
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
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.
- lights 2009
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 879 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Loss of power steering assist at high engine rpm
- 4t65e transmission 1-2 shift shudder at light to moderate acceleration
- Clunk, knock or rattle noise from front of vehicle while driving or turning over bumps at low…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Loss of power steering. Happened 3 times in 3 months so far. Called local dealer and sounds like same issue as the cobalt. Said no recall because different components.
2007 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10319223
More owner reports
My 2007 Chevrolet Malibu lt maxx locks when I am driving. I have read a lot of reviews on this problem with this particular vehicle. I think a safety recall should be issued due to this problem.
NHTSA complaint 10297508
I was driving my 2007 chevy Malibu on a highway traveling at approx. 40 mph when suddenly the steering went out. I was able to regain control of the vehicle after a few seconds. It was as if my power steering failed.
NHTSA complaint 10340417
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (64%), transmission & drivetrain (7%) and brakes (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu get?
18 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 66,600 and 134,000 miles. The middle report was at 98,200 miles, from 856 complaints.
Does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works