Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 power steering goes out when driving randomly. This has been happening for the last three or four weeks a few times a day. It happens when I'm driving on the highway it happens at all speeds the steering wheel consistently shakes. I have called many dealerships and they want to charge a fee for checking on my recalls. Nothing has been inspected by anyone but I do get warning messages about power steering failure and needing to check my air bag.
Their tight steering and stiff suspensions are causing arthritic hands n backs. See pictures below. The tight steering and stiff suspension is silently, without pain, causing arthritic backs and hands/fingers and autism. Compare your hands and back to the pictures in the following links identifying arthritic hand and back deformities. Do not buy a vehicle unless the steering is easy one finger and rides like a boat in calm waters. Tight/stiff steering injuries: every time a steering course adjustment is made our bodies must generate the forces to overcome what appears to be a minor resistance in turning the steering wheel. …
I was pulling out of my driveway in my 2007 Chevy Malibu and couldn't cut the wheel in any direction. Power steering was totally out. The radio was scrolling "power steering", but had no idea what was going on. Managed to get to a gas station and then after many of us looking at it realized it was an electrical power steering unit. Was going to get it towed, but when starting it up again, it worked fine. Intermittent problem. This is so dangerous! My car only has a little over 68,000 miles on it. Dealer said that this is common, but the 2007 was not covered by the recall - all other years besides '07. I needed a new steering torque sensor. Cost $500 to replace. Seems crazy with such a known problem and low miles that GM excluded this year in the recall. So disappointed!
I bought it used from a used car lot who failed to tell me many things about this car that was very crucial. And now there's a terrible grinding in the steering that has only gotten worse and now it does it all the time and locks up while in park. Lost power steering... Turned engine off and back on and regained power steering. There was an issue when I first bought the car in 2016 there was a knocking when turning. Also, there is a lot of noise coming from the driver front tire make it hard to drive because of concern of tire coming off. I just noticed that I can feel vibration under my feet in the front when I exceed 65mph on the hwy. I can feel every bump.
I intermittently lose power steering, now it is happening every time I drive the vehicle and it is not safe. The wheel begins to take over for its self, so to speak. The wheel will shake some times aggressively enough to be pulling me whichever way it pleases. It even does this at an idle,the VIN is pulling up no recall but the articles on this subject say it is included in the expansion of the recall. I just bought the vehicle sept 24, 2016
When driving or turning car there is a clunking, cracking noises coming from under car. When driving on highway the car pulls to the other side or jerks. I brought car used and the cracking clunking noises is getting worse. I need to know if this a recall because it will cost a lot to fix it.
I was driving along and heard a loud popping noise and I thought I May have ran over a plastic bottle. I was not driving fast I was on a main street heading towards the ramp to get onto the highway. I later heard clunking noise from the rear of the car. I thought at first maybe it was something in my trunk. Knowing I didn't have much in the trunk I looked and didn't find anything that could be making that noise. All week I heard this noise while driving to work. I brought my car to sears & the mechanic took me into their service area to show me that the spring was snapped and that is where the noise was coming from. It was snapped on the bottom half of the spring - rear passenger side. I asked the mechanic how typical was this problem and he told me only a month ago he fixed another Malibu with the same problem - but the other Malibu had less mileage approx 80,000. …
I did not have a crash, or driving incident. This complaint is due to the following: I received the recall (14152) letter back in June of 2014. The needed part was not available at that time so I waited for another letter to come and finally received a month or so later (August). I took my car to the wesley chapel GM dealer and they completed the recall work for free. Although, they ended up charging me $2,400 for electrical, and fuse damage to my car that they say was not related to this recall, although based on everything I have read I believe these charges were a reflection of the recall. My hands were tied as I need my car so I paid the fee at the dealership and called GM and had them open up a ticket to look into my issue, charges, and what the dealership fixed. GM responded to me that they could not help me. …
The 'tight steering' has caused my fingers to develop curvatures and twisted and enlarged arthritic knuckles. It is causing my shoulders to become painful requiring physical therapy. Carpal tunnel from the Mini-trauma pushing and jerking the steering wheel to overcome its resistance to turn. (nexteer calls this 'torque overlay' and this torque overlay is effecting many other people like myself. My friends that drive a Malibu, Chrysler, Cadillac, and other vehicles with steering that can't be turned with one finger (too tight) are having numerous back/neck fusion operation as I have. The stiff suspension results in 300+ shaking forces traveling through my body. Not a smooth soft-riding vehicles. These 300+ shaking forces cause my back, hips, neck to develop pain. My stomach become upset from the bouncing. The suspension is hard (like race car). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit abnormal noises when steering and driving over bumps at approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the front stabilizer bar was faulty and the front calipers were not properly releasing. The contact was also informed that the front calipers were burned and creating a fire hazard. In addition, the contact was informed that the master cylinder May be defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Updated 03/05/12 the consumer stated white smoke emitted from the wheels and brake area. Also, the vehicle would not go over 10 MPH. Updated 03/07/12
Suspension complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.