The 2007 Malibu (sixth-gen) is a bridge model with decent bones but notable weak points in the 4-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering on V6 models. The 2.2L Ecotec can suffer catastrophic internal failures if oil maintenance lapses.
4T65-E Automatic Transmission Pressure Control Solenoid & Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 shift, especially when cold, Check Engine light with P0521 or P0741 codes, Transmission fluid leaking from cooler lines at radiator, Slipping or no movement in 2nd or 3rd gear
Fix: Replace pressure control solenoid (3-4 hours labor inside pan) or full transmission overhaul if clutches burnt. Cooler lines rust through at crimp fittings near radiator — replace both lines preemptively during any trans service. Many shops quote full rebuild once slipping starts.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Motor and Control Module Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Intermittent or complete loss of power assist, especially in cold weather, Service Stabilitrak and Service Power Steering warnings simultaneously, Steering becomes extremely heavy at low speeds, Grinding or clicking noise from steering column when turning
Fix: EPS motor or control module on the column fails, often moisture-related. Column must be removed for motor replacement (3-4 hours). GM issued recalls for some VINs but not all affected units were covered. Used parts fail quickly; OEM or quality reman required.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
2.2L Ecotec Timing Chain and Piston Ring Wear from Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Rough cold starts, blue smoke on startup, Rattling from timing chain on cold start for 2-3 seconds, Loss of compression, fouled plugs on cylinders 2 and 3
Fix: Piston ring land cracks or carbon buildup causes consumption; if ignored, timing chain stretches and can jump. Many engines need full rebuild or short block replacement (15-20 hours labor). Preventive: oil changes every 3,000-4,000 mi with quality synthetic and catch early consumption.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500 short block; $1,200-1,800 timing chain only if caught early
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: No start or intermittent stalling when fuel tank below 1/4, Whining or buzzing noise from rear seat area, Loss of power under acceleration, hesitation, Check Engine light with P0087 (fuel rail pressure low)
Fix: In-tank pump assembly fails, often stranding vehicle. Tank must be dropped (2-3 hours labor). GM recall covered some units for wiring but not mechanical pump failure. Use AC Delco or Delphi replacement; aftermarket pumps fail within a year.
Estimated cost: $600-950
Transmission Mount (Torque Strut) Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive engine movement visible when shifting into gear, Vibration through steering wheel or floor at idle in Drive, Harsh engagement into Reverse
Fix: Upper transmission mount (torque strut) tears or collapses, allowing drivetrain to rock. Replace mount (1-1.5 hours labor). Often ignored until it causes secondary damage to exhaust hangers or transmission cooler lines. Check all three engine mounts at same time; if original, replace as set.
Estimated cost: $200-350 per mount
Ignition Lock Cylinder and Passlock Sensor No-Start
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Key won't turn in ignition or sticks in ACC position, Security light flashing, no crank, 10-minute wait before retry, Intermittent no-start after hitting bumps or in cold weather, Passlock sensor triggers theft deterrent randomly
Fix: Ignition lock cylinder wears and binds or Passlock sensor in column fails. Cylinder replacement is 1-2 hours but requires programming. Passlock bypass resistor trick works for sensor faults but voids theft warranty. Many owners carry spare programmed key and spray lock cylinder with graphite regularly.
Symptoms: Clunk or pop felt through steering wheel when turning at low speeds or over bumps, Noise worse in cold or damp weather, No loss of steering control, purely noise and feel
Fix: Intermediate shaft joint wears and loses grease. GM released revised shaft with better seal. Replace shaft (1.5-2 hours labor). Some owners attempt to regrease joint but it returns within months. Not a safety issue but annoying.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Owner tips
On 2.2L engines, use full synthetic oil and change every 3,500-4,000 miles religiously to prevent timing chain and piston ring issues — consumption starts small and escalates fast.
Check transmission fluid color and level every oil change; pink/red is good, brown means overheated and damage is starting. Budget for transmission service or replacement after 100k.
Test electric power steering function during pre-purchase inspection in cold weather if possible — failures are intermittent at first and expensive later.
Keep fuel tank above 1/4 to extend fuel pump life; low fuel causes pump to run hot and fail early.
Replace transmission cooler lines preemptively if you see surface rust at crimps near radiator — cheap insurance against a tow bill.
Decent commuter if you find one with documented oil changes and a healthy transmission, but budget $1,500-2,000 for deferred maintenance within the first year — avoid high-mileage examples with unknown history.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
STEERING · 14E044000
2014-07-21
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Consequence: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 14V252000
2014-05-14 · EA13005
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 14V224000
2014-04-30 · EA11015
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 year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Consequence: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 09E012000
2009-04-07
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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