Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 4 year old son was in the vehicle with me helping to clean out the car when he was able to put the car into drive without any keys or anything. Luckily, I was in the car and was able to get the car back into park but only after it hit a fence and damaged the vehicle because of this issue. I am able to put the vehicle into drive while the car was not running and there were no keys in it. There have also been several instances where I was able to leave it in drive after turning the car off and taking the keys out. It will also allow you to put the vehicle into drive without pressing the brake first. There have been several computer related issues that have also began to happen such as the gas gauge not working properly. It says that I am on empty when in fact the tank is full. …
My fuel gauge goes up and down at random times. The gauge goes down when idling or at a stop. This in turn causes my check engine light to turn on. While the gas gauge will go back to its normal position after a little bit of driving. The check engine light remains on. There are no issues with the gas cap, but after a little research I have found it to be a faulty level sensor. As it's a reoccurring problem with many Chevy Malibu's, I don't know how there hasn't been a recall yet. Good thing I don't have to get my car tested until 2017 or I would not pass emissions due to the check engine light being on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. When the fuel tank was half full, the gauge would erroneously decrease to empty and the low fuel light would illuminate. The driver was unable to determine the amount of fuel in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel cap was faulty. The cap was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the fuel floater was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.
The fuel gauge is not working properly. OK in filled the tank up today and put in a locus fuel cleaner (01/22/2021) only because it was like my car was gasping for gas. My fuel gauge keeps moving up in down. Even though I had just filled the tank up it would chime drop to empty acculerate like it was having a hard time breathing spike back up to the fuel level start driving fine then all of a sudden drop down to e. Now the car is having a hard time start lik it is not getting any gas at all. I have read severl complaints about this issuse
This is issue has been happening since late December and has progressively gotten worse! While driving (whether on highway at 60+ MPH or in town doing under 40mph), power steering will go out multiple times; along with fuel gage will consistently show empty. Also while driving the airbag indication light will go from airbag on to air bag off several times. The only thing that remedies the power steering going out is to turn the car off and then back on, sometimes more than once.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. After filling the vehicle with fuel, the fuel gauge reflected full and then dropped to empty. The contact stated that the failure occurred for approximately one year. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic in July of 2013 for the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired this time. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the fuel gauges on the instrument panel became inoperable. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
When filling fuel tank to full, fuel gauge will suddenly show empty, then over next 50 miles or so, the fuel gauge level will swing wildly between empty and full. This results in the check engine light coming on. After about 50 miles, the correct fuel level will register and then 50 miles after that, the check engine light turns off.
While driving you can feel steering tightening up and a slight hum especially making left and right turns, gas gauge goes up and down from full to empty constantly, engine light stays on because of gas cap replaced 4 times works for awhile longest was about a month, also stays on because of duel gauge fluctuating constantly.
Fuel gauge no longer functioning. After refueling, the fuel gauge began acting sporadic, at times it would indicate that fuel tank was empty even after refueling. Condition continued to get worse and presently fuel gauge just reads empty. Also the check engine indicator light came on and engine code p0463 is active.
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.