2007 Chevrolet Malibu Steering
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My electrical power steering motor is no good on car it is at risk of causing harm to me
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
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.
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)
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.
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
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)
Complete loss of power steering while driving. I took this to a Chevy dealer for repair and discovered that the faulty part was the same as safety recall #14772. Same year, make, model, faulty part and the same failure while driving. Part was confirmed by dealer repair. No warning lights before failure. I reported this to GM in attempt to be compensated and inform them to broaden the recall and they would not help in any way and referred me to NHTSA
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.
I get in car and start it. When I begin to turn steering wheel, it's very, very, very hard to turn. This happens while I am driving and when The car in park. It has been happening off and on on since 2016. I never understood why and didn't know why. Until I took it to get oil checked and asked how to put power steering fluid in the car.
Steering wheel shakes and moves in park by itself also electric power steering randomly cuts in and out while driving
Upon driving the steering wheel turn forcing you to steer in other direction. The power steering light displays on dash and steering in lost and hard to steer
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.
My vehicle is experiencing an issue with its power steering system that causes the wheel to shake uncontrollably and lock up sometimes when I am driving it. When I first got it inspected at a mechanic, they said that there was a recall for this exact issue for cars with my same make and model, so I should go to the dealer to get it fixed for free. The dealer told me that I was not eligible for free service, so I had to pay out of pocket to get the issue fixed with my mechanic. However, the issue has come back and the dealer is estimating about $2000 to fix this issue. I've already put out over $1000 to fix this issue, and being that the problem with my car is the exact reason why cars of the same year, make, and model were recalled, my car was clearly one of the affected vehicles. Therefore, the dealer needs to pay for the repair of the car so that it can be back on the road safely.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that once the temperature fell below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the power steering assist would fail to operate as needed with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact called the manufacturer on several occasions but received no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000.
While driving in traffic in a round about, the power steering failed. I narrowly avoided colliding with a semi tuck that was along side me. I spoke with the dealer here locally and they said the power steering is electric and has failed. This situation is extremely dangerous. I could have easily been in a horrific crash. I drive on the freeway daily. If I had been driving 75 mph and the steering had gone out, there might have been fatalities.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering message suddenly displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel began to move from side to side. The vehicle became difficult to control. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 228,000.
The contact’s granddaughter owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. While her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the power steering assist motor however, shortly after retrieving the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a second mechanic who replaced the steering torque sensor. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
I was driving my vehicle home from work when it suddenly lost power steering. At that point I was unaware it had a power system module instead of a power assist pump. I pulled over to the side of the road to check and see what was going on. That was when I realized I had a power system module. The odd part for me was after looking at it on the side of the road for a while I cranked the vehicle and my power assist was working again. If it had gone out in a curve instead of straight road the outcome probably would have been different. I noticed for my year Malibu there is a recall but mine is not listed. From the description of the issue it's exactly what happened to mine but, again, it's not listed. I guess I need to know what steps I need to take to get it at least checked.
Power steering failed. Available for inspection. Safety of myself and others were put at risk because my steering wheel became stiff and was extremely difficult to move while driving. Car is at an independent service center and the problem can be confirmed. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. A power steering light appeared as soon as the problem occurred.
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Quick Summary
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 578 Steering complaints on file. 15 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.