2007 CHEVROLET Malibu

This car is a maintenance nightmare

Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 3 Safety Rating: 4 Technology Rating: 1 Value Rating: 1

When I look at the comments from the first year of ownership from individuals who bought this vehicle new, I see many good comments. The complains come from individuals as the 2007 Malibu acquires some age and mileage and many, many of the complains are the very same I have experienced. We have replace the intermediate steering wheel shaft three times (this is what causes the rattle under the dashboard at 45 MPH many owners describe here), we have replaced the $1600 electronic power steering unit (this is a frequent complaint), we replaced a defective oil filter bracket (a 26 year Chevrolet Service Department Manager said this was a very poor design), we have had the issue with the passenger side air bag/seat belt light going off and on that many people describe as well and recently experience the issue with our fuel gauge needle moving up and down, the gas low chime going off and finally it failed the emissions testing in our county in TN because the fuel gauge issue was really due to the fuel sending unit actually in the gas tank that was defective (as well as the fuel pump) and it cost me $700 to have it fixed. While being repaired for that issue I asked my mechanic to determine why the heat had stopped working recently and they found the water pump was leading coolant. Sadly, this car is one of the best looking vehicles I have ever owned, it offers a very comfortable ride and has a great engine with great pickup but the thousands of dollars in repairs I have spent on it will insure I don't by a Chevrolet product when my wife and I buy two new vehicles cash in two years when we retire. My work car is a 2000 Malibu and besides the ignition switch recall, I've never spent any repair money on it except for normal tires, brakes, tune up, routine maintenance items.