10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 19 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 13 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 101,000 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an intermittent loss of power steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.. updated 09/02/14 the consumer stated the steering tightens up and wants to turn on the acceleration and loss of power occurs. At this time, a clicking sound could be heard from the steering column. The battery light flashed from the steering column. The battery light flashed on and off at times with a dinging sound. Updated 11/4/2014
- New Franklen, WI, USA
Steering shakes while driving and at idle. Steering wheel jerks to left side while driving also. Starts shaking at ignition start up and continues until completely powered down. At speeds above 30 mph vehicle steering wheel hard to control and jerks to the left more often.
- Parkton, NC, USA
The steering wheel on my 2007 Malibu ls suddenly started jerking both to the left and right as I was driving down a residential road going about 30 mph. As I turned right, the car was harder to turn as the steering wheel was still jerking and moving the whole car in several degrees further than I moved it and then jerked in the opposite direction. As I was at a red light and my foot was on the brake, I removed my hands from the steering wheel and it was moving on its own left and right. About 3 minutes later the warning came on my radio indicator. I took the car in to get checked and was told the power steering motor was out and so was the steering angle sensor and that with parts, labor and tax it would cost $1,478.69 to fix at the dealership where I purchased.
- Lubbock, TX, USA
This incident report should actually count as three complaints, since the power steering failure on this car has happened three times. The first time was on 8/13/10, mileage 14950. The second time was on 3/17/11, mileage 18001. The third time was yesterday, 6/2/14, mileage 49852, this is getting to be ridiculous that I keep having to replace the power steering unit on this vehicle. Counting the original, this will be the fourth power steering unit. When the pump fails, all driveability is lost, and the car becomes impossible to steer. Luckily, in two of the incidents, I was driving a speed of around 35mph. Yesterday's failure happened in our driveway. My wife was getting ready to go to denver, and was to be driving on I-25. Now I'm not sure what would have happened if the failure happened on the interstate, but I now have absolutely not confidence that this 2007 Malibu is safe to drive on the road. GM should offer free replacement of the power steering units, in these cars, for the life of the vehicle. Averaging a life of 12K miles for the unit is totally unacceptable. I would love if the CEO of GM, [xxx], would take this car off my hands for about a month, and use it to drive her family around. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Longmont, CO, USA
When I would turn a corner the steering wheel would vibrate. I took it to get a wheel alignment thinking that was the problem. As time went by it got harder to steer, the steering wheel would jerk. It was getting so hard to drive I was afraid to take it anywhere.I had to go to olympia for supplies. I was driving from my home in grapeview to olympia and the wheel pulled so violent on hwy 101 I was afraid I would drive into another car.it was mostly jerking to the right so I stayed in the right lane so I wouldn't hit another car but just go off the hwy. It pulled so fast and hard it hurt my wrists. I would have called for a tow but didn't have my cell phone. I was closer to olympia than home so I made the decision to go there. I drove it to the titis-will Chevrolet in olympia and they advised me to leave it there because it was too dangerous to drive. And they repaired it a few days later. I read on the internet others were having the same problem but Chevrolet company wouldn't help them.
- Grapeview, WA, USA
My car steering wheel started to shake and pull to the left I got out and checked my wheels as I got back into the car the steering wheel was turning on its own. Car is not safe to drive it can't be steered.
- Antioch, TN, USA
Power steering warning on dash display, failed. Power steering did come back on restart, but still have warning. Dealer says requires motor, steering column, intermediate shaft, almost $2000. Says he thinks there will be recall - maybe!
- San Bernardino, CA, USA
Mid shaft on steering column rattles on uneven surfaces. Dealer states this is normal in the 2007 Chevy Malibu.
- Newnan, GA, USA
While turning onto a freeway on-ramp the power steering failed entirely for several seconds and a clicking sound similar to when the turn signal comes on came from the steering column. After traveling about 100 meters, the power steering came back on causing us to over-correct and narrowly miss the barriers.
- Bountiful, UT, USA
See claim number 10575777. When is the power steering problems on the 2007 Malibu going to be added to the recall list?
- North Attleboro, MA, USA
Letter from senator blumenthal on behalf of constituent of broad brook, Connecticut, regarding issue she is experiencing with her 2007 Chevrolet Malibu ls and wish to learn whether a recall has been issued for this issue. The consumer stated the steering wheel shifted around uncontrollably. She stated the power steering light illuminated, when the vehicle was in park or while she was driving.
- Broad Brook, CT, USA
Was driving home and the power steering went out. When I start the car now it works fine until I shift the car in gear and then the steering goes out again. I haven't even had the car a week and I have found that all years but 2007 have been recalled for power steering issues. Something needs to be done about the 2007!
- Vandalia, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the electronic steering column and air bag module. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V252000(electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The approximate failure mileage was 106,888.
- Urbana, IL, USA
My power steering went out as my wife was driving down the road. Before it went completely out the steering wheel was moving when the car was stopped. The wheel appeared to be jumping. This happened on the same day that GM announced the recall for the steering issues on 2006 and 2008 Malibu's. I called GM to tell them about my car and they told me to bad that mine was not part of the recall. I'm sure GM used the same parts in all three years 2006, 2007, & 2008.
- Kingsville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and would shake while parked. The failure occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they performed a steering calibration of the sensors. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
- White Plains, NY, USA
When turning left or right or merging into traffic, the steering wheel clicks and gets very hard to steer like it's pulling to the side, causing me to overcorrect by steering in the opposite direction- it feels like I am going to lose control of the car and is very frightening but then it stops. It has happened several times over the years but is becoming more frequent. I have entered my VIN on the GM site but it says I am not a part of the recall. How is that possible when I am having the exact same problem" I am also having the problem with my brake lights- they go on when I am not braking and off when I do. I had to replace the gear shift last fall because it broke and my car would not stay in park. Is there anything I can do if I am not on the recall list" this is completely unsafe- I will never, ever buy a GM car again.
- Ocean City, MD, USA
Wow, me and wife [xxx] almost crashed Friday evening after the steering got so tight and couldn't control or steer the car. I've owned car since 2007 and this was really very very violent surprise to us. We are still in shock and very scared.. at this age I wonder what would happen driving with our grandsons [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- San Ysidro, CA, USA
2007 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to steering wheel problems. The consumer stated the steering wheel started to shake while driving and when parked. After doing some research, the consumer discovered a recall was issued for this model for defective steering. However, her model year was not included, in the recall.
- Hawthorne, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering failed and the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and deactivated the engine. Once restarted, the vehicle operated normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that a part associated with the power steering needed to be replaced. The ignition switch was also defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 09/02/14 the consumer stated while attempting to avoid a pothole the steering became difficult to maneuver. The tire hit the pothole and broke the hub cap. The consumer pulled a muscle in the right arm. The consumer did seek care with a physician. The vehicle's ignition began to fail making it difficult to start up. The vehicle may or may not have been included in a recall. Updated 09/16/2014
- Roxboro, NC, USA
- Bountiful, UT, USA