2007 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11743766

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11715777

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11712769

Incident

Jan 21, 2026

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11655619

Incident

Apr 18, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11646333

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11644698

Incident

Nov 11, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11641947

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

Mileage

135,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11640112

Incident

Jan 27, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11638678

Incident

Jan 24, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID

11617286

Incident

Jul 9, 2024

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...

NHTSA ID

11606539

Incident

Aug 2, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11579773

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11578495

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

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)

NHTSA ID

11577419

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11575547

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

Mileage

104,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11572843

Incident

Feb 17, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11557797

Incident

Mar 20, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11553824

Incident

Nov 6, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11553321

Incident

Nov 2, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11547295

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

Mileage

200,111 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was vibrating. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The steering wheel was uncontrollable and became inoperable. Additionally, there was an engine oil leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who completed unknown repairs. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 15V064000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 86,300. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11545096

Incident

Apr 12, 2023

Mileage

86,300 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the four doors would inadvertently lock and unlock, causing the battery to drain quickly. The contact used pliers to unlock and open the doors. Additionally, the headlights were dimmed, and the turn signals intermittently failed to operate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the Body Control Module (BCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11543383

Incident

Mar 8, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

I am financing a 2007 chevy malibu from r n r car co on 411 gratiot in mt Clemens has had one problem after the other first the brakes went fix I told them there was a sway problem up front wanted it fixed before I took it off the lot they did not I could’ve been seriously hurt the sway bar tie rod n control arm went in the front of the car dealership said would help with half the bill didn’t help fixed now my car wants to shut down and hesitate to go over 45 miles an hour the crankshaft position sensor wire n some button might need to be fixed im on social security seeking4 help from the va to help me get it fixed told dealership abt this wants 100 an hour from me to fix it plz advise thank you monica wheeler

NHTSA ID

11540992

Incident

May 10, 2023

When I start my car my steering wheel dances vibrates. When I'm driving 30 mph it will pull me to the right side of the road and be hard to steer. It does this a lot it scares me I'm disabled and have a hard time driving.

NHTSA ID

11534374

Incident

Apr 12, 2023

I was driving on the highway and my car steering wheel became really tight and caused my car to drift in the right lane. The steering wheel locked up and became really stiff to turn. It has a faint burnt smell . I can not risk the chance of the car catching on fire with me and /or the kids in the car. I had to move into the shoulder on the highway I was about side swipe the car that was in the right lane beside me. I had minor children in the car when it first happned. I did look up recalls and talked to several GM customer service and was informed the car did have a recall but it has expired since then . If I would have known about the recall i would have never brought this used car. When I brought the car from the auction they informed it was no electric probelms with the car but it is. Also killed me and my kids the way the wheel just locked and didnt move. A customer service rep said she would give me a $100 coupon off services . But I honestly I do not have the extra money to take the car to a delaership and get fixed . I know that will cost me almost $1000. There were no warning lights signal anythignto indicate it has an electric power steering problem. Can you as a company find it in the value and core components of the company moral values and help Assist with this expired recall on the power steering

NHTSA ID

11531306

Incident

Jul 7, 2023