Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I was backing out of parklng space and car stayed in reveise, had to trun off car and manaly put it in park then restate and go then when L get home had to put it in park manaily again it's the ruber garment thats gone
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the torque sensor assembly failed. The contact had the torque sensor assembly repaired less than two years prior to the failure. The power steering warning indicator also illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to spitzer Chevrolet amherst (200 n leavitt rd in amherst, oh) where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
When turning on the car and stationary and attempting to shift the automatic transmission with foot on brake gear shifter does not move. Requires several attempts and extreme brake pressure to get the gear shifted to move into reverse or drive. This results in the inability to move the vehicle to begin driving. There is a recall for this exact same problem on this same make, model, and year but my vehicle is not included when my VIN is entered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The specifics of the failure were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and the steering wheel seized briefly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 63,500.
While driving along the highway the steering wheel began to turn slightly by itself and powering steering displayed on dash and wheel was hard to steer. Fuel pump floater goes out
I can hear the U joint clicking like it wants to fail and suddenly randomly there is a loss of powersteering. This issue caused my father who is on oxygen to go to the hospital.
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. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. 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…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.