YearToAvoid

2007 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 47 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of all 977 complaints for this model year. That is #14 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 88,921 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
47
5% of 977
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
88,921 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2007 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 18, 2006, latest Oct 20, 2022.

2007 Chevrolet Malibu transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2006Jul 2010Dec 2013Jul 2014Jan 2015Sep 2016Feb 2021Oct 2022
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2006 to Oct 2022; peak Jun 2014 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu

  1. NHTSA 14V224000Apr 30, 2014Transmission & Powertrain1,131,113 vehicles

    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 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.

    Risk: 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200565 (7%)
  2. 200643 (4%)
  3. 200747 (5%)
  4. 200886 (9%)
  5. 2009121 (8%)
  6. 2010133 (10%)
  7. 2011112 (11%)
  8. 201249 (5%)
  9. 201353 (6%)
  10. 201452 (15%)
  11. 201531 (11%)
  12. 2016166 (20%)
  13. 2017139 (20%)
  14. 2018170 (24%)
  15. 201966 (35%)
  16. 202058 (29%)
  17. 202128 (31%)
  18. 202223 (24%)
  19. 20238 (12%)
  20. 20245 (13%)
  21. 20251 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 88,921 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has the most transmission complaints (170), compared with 47 for the 2007.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu concerns the transmission: 14V224000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.