2007 Chevrolet Malibu Review: A Year To Avoid For The American Midsize Sedan

Jul 13, 2022

The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu only lasts around 150,000 miles with steering and engine issues. At $3,471 to $5,408 it’s cheap, but not worth the money with the frequent breakdowns.

The Good

The cabin has plenty of room for passengers, suspension is smooth at speed and the remote start system works well.

The Bad

Replacing worn out parts gets very expensive, it’s missing safety features found on rivals including stability control and the base engine is weak.

Is the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu a Good Used Car?

No, 2007 is a bad year for the Malibu. Owner reviews complain about mechanical issues, broken parts, and weak brakes.
Interior materials are extremely basic with a lot of cheap plastic used throughout the cabin, and relatively uncomfortable seats.
Reliability ratings are below average. There are a lot of problems on Malibu models from 2005–2013, with some improvements in 2014.
Performance is boring from the base 4-cylinder, but the most powerful V6 offers decent power for a sedan.
The Malibu is a safe sedan, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
Fuel economy is average, at up to 25 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Sierra W

Reliable vehicle that is safe and functional.

My car drives smoothly and has never proved to have any hiccups or weird glitches. It has the perfect amount of space for me and all the functional qualities a good, reliable car needs. I wouldn't change a thing about the comfort, style, or operation of my car!

Allison D

Chevy Malibu 07 Great vehicle.

The Chevy Malibu is a well built vehicle. It is beautifully designed and very reliable. It gives a smooth ride, comfortable seating and provides ample leg room in the back seat. We are a tall family and the car definitely works for us. The trunk is very spacious. A great car for road trips. It is very good on gas. Very pleased I made this purchase.

Brittany C

Take offs from town are enjoyable.

It's a home car pretty fast enough and always makes my day. Good on gas some of the time and its paid for. Oil changed and tires rotated the cat prints need to come off but there cute from the sand in my front driveway. Rest of the trunk has space for Christmas and objects can also fit in the back seat or on the floor mats.

Beverly M

Others should know that this vehicle has great fuel efficiency.

I like the size, easy maneuverability. I like the fuel efficiency. I do not have any complaints.

Rose K

It's only a 4 cylinder, but has the power of a V-6.

I love the fact I've gone over 100.000 miles, and my car still rides comfortably.Chevrolet builds durable vehicles, that stands the test of time.

Mary M

It is comfortable and has plenty of room the trunk is very spacious.

Very good car, only changed oil twice and bought a new battery in the three yrs. I've owned it. It's very good on gas, I would highly recommend this type of car for anyone, I am very well pleased with it, honestly it is been the best car I have ever bought. I am positive you will not be sorry for getting a car like mine.

Janice C

With the folding rear seats, there's enough cargo space, that I carried an 8x10 carpet roll home from the store. There's almost nothing I can't fit in the car.

I like the hatchback and cargo space. I like the reclining rear seats and the ability to fold them over for more cargo space. I like the amount of legroom in the rear seats.

Mary Ruth W

It has good highway mileage.

Good running car, reliable, comfortable ride, good mileage both in town and long distance. Would recommend model to everyone.

Negative Owner Reviews

Lila M

It is a pretty good car gets me to where I need and back.

It need fixing it overheats tires are fair need a new rim new hoses it is a gas guzzler on street roads on highway it good when it don't over heat well before the overheating it was a really good car good for traveling got me to where I was going and back with little gas and it was good.

Norma L

It is reliable and keeps us safe.

I have had nothing but problems since I got it. My air conditioner fan goes off and on like its shorting out. It is leaking antifreeze, my tires have gotten out of balance two times in the past two months.

Carla F

I like thats its got enough space.

Transmission problems, hard to get the changes from parking to drive, it makes a bump on it, all this transmission problems that lead to engine problems, always failing to take me to places it ended up stopping working and had to get it fixed but got more problems again.

Jessica M

There's a lot of recalls for it not easy to work on everything is computerized

It has a lot of problems. I had to replace the motor for the steering wheel. My AC went outside to replace that . It's not that great on gas. The back to windows you cannot roll up from the front you have to be sitting in the back to do it. Not a big fan of the body style

Randy H

2007 Chevrolet Malibu - see previous slide!

Reliable, fuel efficient, low maintenance, road noise too loud, too many blind spots, planning to upgrade this year!

Alicia V

What's not wrong with my Chevy Malibu?!

The blower motor stopped working on the AC/heat. The suspension system is rusted and need to be replaced. There's a leak somewhere in the brake line. The brakes s**k.

Tori G

The one most important thing about my car is that you can't take it on long trips or it will collapse.

I like the leather seats and the seat warmers. I dislike the way it runs. It rattles when I turn it on and the ac barely works.

Nadia Q

It's a 4 cylinder and has good gas mileage

It's a great vehicle, a trooper. I dislike that it does not have onboard navigation, heated seats, anti glare mirrors and a bigger fuel reservoir. I like that it takes me where I need to go, it's been reliable and has good mileage

What Do Critics Say About the Malibu?

Consumer Reports says the Malibu is a bit outdated, and has low owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Malibu a 4.2/5 liking the comfortable suspension, but disliking the mediocre steering.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Malibu 4.3/5 and enjoy the passenger space, but dislike the cheap interior.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Have?

Common problems found on the 2007 Malibu include clunking noises while steering, damaged cylinders in the engine, and fuel gauge issues.

Clunking noises while steering are the most common complaints from owners at around 50,000 miles. Replacing the rack and pinon fixes the problem, but costs about $800 depending on local labor rates.

Damaged cylinders in the engine are mentioned by some owners at around 70,000 miles. The only way to fix the problem is to replace the engine block, costing over $2,700.

Fuel gauge problems with the gauges always reading zero also are mentioned at around 85,000 miles. The problem is with the fuel sending unit in the tank, which costs $950 to replace.

There are 6 recalls, with the most serious being for the steering shaft u-joint since a failure can lead to an accident.

How Long Will the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Last?

A properly maintained 2007 Chevy Malibu should last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top competitors like the Honda Accord. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other sedans, according to Repair Pal, at $344 per year.

Most 2007 Malibu models will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the blower motor for $300, knock sensor costing $150, and radiator hose which costs $450.

Catina S

No. I haven't had any problems. Just the usual oil change and tune up. Other than that no problems. I haven't had any motor problems or any other thing up under the hood. Just had to get more tries but that's normal after a while.

Rebekah R

The Chevrolet Malibu is very reliable. No it does not have any problems. However, every vehicle is different.

Cierra M

My car was used when I got it. The muffler has a hole in it and is really loud. After a while began having problems with the brakes and calipers.

Ashley Y

There are no problems. As long as you keep up on oil changes and fluids there are no problems with vehicles.

Diamondique H

Yes very it is good on gas and have a very roomy inside a big trunk fit about 4 in back seat and 2 in front.

Mariah D

It is reliable. I just need new struts, an oil change and an alignment done. The car was not brand new when we bought it, but the previous owners did a good job keeping up with it to make it a good car.

Kristen M

Yes very reliable, had brakes changes, a filter replacement, starter replaced and a battery change which I would consider general maintenance for a car.

Alyssa K

It is very reliable! Never had any problems with my car. It has not overheated or lost air conditioning. Nothing has gone wrong on it and I have had this car so far over a year and I take my boys around in this car I love it.

How Much Is the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Worth?

Blue book values range from $3,471 to $5,408, making the Malibu thousands less than a Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima. When new, the price range was $17,215 to $23,675. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Malibu?

There are four models of the Malibu available for 2007. There’s a complete redesign coming for the 2008 model year with all-new technology.

LS is the entry-level model with:

16-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Power Windows & Locks
4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System

LT is a step up adding:

16-Inch Aluminum Wheels
Premium Cloth Seating
Remote Start System
6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo

LTZ is the luxury model and adds:

17-Inch Bright Aluminum Wheels
Leather Seating
OnStar Safety System
Rear Spoiler
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

SS is the sport-focused model featuring:

18-Inch Alloy Wheels
Sport Suspension
Unique Sport Seats
Sunroof

LS w/1LS

144 HP 29-29 MPG

View Details

LS w/1FL

144 HP 29-29 MPG

View Details

LT w/1LT

144 HP 29-29 MPG

View Details

LS w/2FL

217 HP 27-27 MPG

View Details

217 HP 25-25 MPG

View Details

LT w/2LT

217 HP 27-27 MPG

View Details

217 HP 25-25 MPG

View Details

240 HP 22-22 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Malibu?

The base engine is a fairly weak 2.2L 4-cylinder which makes 144 horsepower and gets up to 25 MPG combined.
A step up is the slightly better 3.5L V6 making 217 horsepower, which gets up to 23 MPG combined.
The most powerful engine is the 3.9L V6, which makes 240 horsepower and gets up to 19 MPG combined. Performance is still only average, taking 7.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Malibu Come In?

How Big Is the Malibu?

The 2007 Chevy Malibu is a bit larger than other midsize sedans including the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. Passenger room is great throughout the cabin, with plenty of legroom in the backseats for adults.

Cargo space is good, offering 15.4 cubic feet of room in the trunk, which should fit 3-4 suitcases.

How Does the Malibu Compare to the Competition?

The Chevrolet Impala is another rival from Chevy, costing about $1,200 more. Passenger room is better in the Impala, but the Malibu is more sporty to drive with the SS model. We recommend avoiding both for the 2007 model year since they both suffer from mechanical problems.

The Honda Accord is another competitor costing about $1,500 more. Technology is more up to date in the Accord, but the Malibu offers more room for passengers in the backseats. We recommend the Accord since they last twice as long and are built better.

Ranks #12 Midsize Cars by Owners

2007 Subaru Legacy

4.45

Tie

2007 Honda Accord

4.44

2007 Chevrolet Malibu

3.94

Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Malibu?

Catina S

Yes. I haven't had any trouble out of it. Its has good gas mileage and very reliable vehicle. If I had to get one again. I would highly recommend this car.

Rebekah R

Yes, it is a very good vehicle. It has four doors, it has plenty of trunk space, and it is basically like a mom vehicle.

Cierra M

Yes, it is a decent car. It is a bit on the bigger size though. So not good for people who prefer really small cars.

Ashley Y

Yes very easy to drive. Very comfortable. Automatic locks CD player good breaks. Very comfortable seats.

Diamondique H

Yes I love it is really been a reliable car for me I am looking to get newer model next year very good car.

Mariah D

Yes I enjoy it. Not my very first card but it gets me places, I get some comments on it. It is not too hard to take care of, I drove 35 minutes to work so I am always using a lot of gas.

Kristen M

Love this car super reliable as few problems and most consisted of brakes and starter. It is a smooth ride and we have had this car for around 5 years.

Alyssa K

I love my car. Everything about it. Has great gas mileage. Has not messed up on me. Reliable. Nothing has ever went wrong on my car.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Rogers S. on March 1, 2022

Not the prettiest girl but a keeper

I bought my 2007 used for like $2,200 tax and title. She has 263k + and I have faith she would take me anywhere in the U.S.A and back.

Richard L on April 1, 2021

It's strong and a smooth ride, providing much needed feeling of safety.

I like the way the car handles. It's smooth and quick. Also, I feel the car provides safety from an accident because it feels like I'm surrounded by a lot of strong metal.

Tracy B on March 24, 2021

My car has biggest trunk over most cars that I have seen. It is very deep.

Love the size of the trunk. Very reliable car. Roomy inside. Have had many issues with my car. I will driving this car for a long time.

Zoe M on March 21, 2021

Nothing specifically it's a pretty good car overall I would recommend

I like my car. I just wish I had a newer version of it. The gas and thermometer reading have never been right.

Pam W on March 20, 2021

1. The car has decent gas mileage and is dependable.

I'm having issues with the paint, the clear coat is peeling, since I bought the car "used" I'm not sure if it's a factory defect, or if it was repaired and poorly repainted.

Karen G on March 19, 2021

It is easy to park since it isn't too big and it looks stylish.

I like that it is a comfortable ride with plenty of legroom. It also gets fairly good gas mileage. The truck carries a good amount.

sharon w on March 17, 2021

That it is reliable and comfortable

I bought it new and I have had it for 11 years and have not had any trouble with it. It is the perfect size for me

Gayle K on March 8, 2021

Reliability of 2007 Chevrolet Malibu maxx.

My 2007 Chevrolet Malibu maxx has been very reliable. It has cruise control and heated seats which makes it very comfortable on road trips. It is large enough to accommodate luggage or other items, but small enough to be easy to drive and park. It gets good gas mileage.

Michelle S on February 27, 2021

She's an old lady car that needs to be traded in.

This car has an oil leak that not even the dealer knows where it is, I have put a lot of money into it to try and find the leak. Also, the power steering is going out and also on the inside of the vehicle the fuse box continuously blows the fuse for the inside light to stay lite. Very frustrating. The car drives fine but it is not holding together very well for the car only being a 2007.

Lisa T on February 25, 2021

It is very low mileage when I got it and I needed a vehicle.

The vehicle is old. The mileage is relatively low but the trunk is broken. I am concerned the car may break.

Nadia Q on February 16, 2021

It's a 4 cylinder and has good gas mileage

Jacqueline C on February 10, 2021

It is very easy on gas and runs great.

I have had this car since 2009 and have had no problems I really enjoy it and the mechanic says it is in great shape and will last many more years.

Alexis F on February 8, 2021

2007 Black Chevy Malibu LS

I really like the reliability of my car, it is over ten years old and for the most part it has been an extremely reliable car. My car is very basic, doesn't have Bluetooth or leather seats but I personally don't care, I do wish it had aux cord. My car rides very comfortably and does well in all weather types.

Ann A on February 6, 2021

Dealer stands behind warranty and is great for any problems.

Enjoyable ride. For the most part very few major issues. Great gas mileage. Very reliability and comfortable.

Jessica M on January 30, 2021

There's a lot of recalls for it not easy to work on everything is computerized

Mary Ruth W on January 29, 2021

It has good highway mileage.

Good running car, reliable, comfortable ride, good mileage both in town and long distance. Would recommend model to everyone.

nathan r on January 26, 2021

My Chevy Malibu is a very reliable vehicle !

I bought my chevy malibu 2011 and it has not given me one problem !! It's a great running vehicle and also a very good looking one !! I will buy another Chevrolet when the time comes to get another car .

Timothy C on January 25, 2021

It drives really well, but the cabin smells of burning oil.

This vehicle, up until recently was very dependable. It has developed an oil leak at the oil pan. There is also a coolant leak in the crossover pipes at the top of the engine.

Linda H on January 25, 2021

I love my Chevy Malibu maxx for the XM radio and the hatchback.

I love the hatchback and I can fit a lot of items in the car. I like the XM radio. I have had some problems with the engine light coming on a lot and there are sensors that need to be replaced by the gas tank. It rides smoothly and great for traveling.

Beverly M on January 18, 2021

Others should know that this vehicle has great fuel efficiency.

I like the size, easy maneuverability. I like the fuel efficiency. I do not have any complaints.

Lawrence P on January 9, 2021

The dependability of the vehicle and ease of operation

Quite dependable, reliable and gas efficient, I do wish the seat would go back a bit more.

Kevin C on January 7, 2021

Good comfortable ride and the gas mileage is good.

I like the gas mileage. I don't like the size and shape of the vehicle. Good smooth ride.

Alicia V on January 3, 2021

What's not wrong with my Chevy Malibu?!

The blower motor stopped working on the AC/heat. The suspension system is rusted and need to be replaced. There's a leak somewhere in the brake line. The brakes s**k.

Danielle Y on January 2, 2021

Great sound system. Long road trips aren't bad

Feels safe, rides smooth, could have better gas, blind spots

Shanna S on January 1, 2021

Chevrolet Malibu car review

The performance is good. Having a really hard time with the emissions. Apparently this is an ongoing issue with my year and model of car. Not really any other issues. Get really good gas mileage with it only being a 4 cylinder. I bought it used 2 years ago and it has really been a good vehicle

Elizabeth W on December 31, 2020

Perfect for the type of life I lead.

I love my Chevy Malibu. It is small enough for a single person like me, but has so much trunk space to fit everything I need. It drives wonderful in any weather and does not wear and tear easily. I drive cross country about once a year, and it holds up so well every time.

April Y on December 18, 2020

Is the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx for you?

I really do like my Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. I love the moon roof. Makes the car feel a little bigger. It has had a few issues. The paint has started peeling off the hood. Also, the heat and air both do not seem to want to work at times. Other than that, it has been a great car!

Cameron M on December 16, 2020

2007 Chevy Malibu LT 3.5 V6

My Malibu had been a very great vehicle. I have not had any major issues with the car. The car gets fairly good gas mileage.

Leticia L on December 14, 2020

Lasted a long time before giving issues.

I love my car, but I do have some issues from time to time that includes the radiator, the AC, and other front end parts. Other than that, it is a great vehicle and runs well. In the past I've had some electrical issues that caused the temperature gauge to stop working. I have also had slight issues with the electric windows, but it was an easy fix.

Haley B on December 6, 2020

Chevy Malibu car is very reliable.

Vehicle is very reliable, it is great as long as you keep up on the maintenance. Gas mileage is fantastic. Great car overall.

Caterina M on December 4, 2020

For a car I bought cheap, it still runs pretty good.

It is an older car that gets me around town. It's got some problems that need to be fix. I have to save up money to put new front struts and rear shocks and new brake pads. I already put a new battery in it and new tires.

Rose K on November 26, 2020

It's only a 4 cylinder, but has the power of a V-6.

I love the fact I've gone over 100.000 miles, and my car still rides comfortably.Chevrolet builds durable vehicles, that stands the test of time.

Megan C on November 21, 2020

The Malibu Maxx is awesome! Favorite part is the moon roof in the back.

I love my Malibu. It has lots of storage and room. I'm always packing it full for my work and it always has just enough room. The turn radius is like a boat, but it's a good car to get you around. I took the stock radio out and added one with Bluetooth. It needs a special adapter for the steering wheel controls.

john C on November 8, 2020

I like it, it gets me where i want to go

I like my vehicle gas mileage is good car is comfortable

Leatha P on October 28, 2020

Great on gas. Roomy on the inside. Nice big spacious trunk !! Great stereo

Very good dependable car. Good on gas. Very smooth ride

O'Brene Richardson on October 20, 2020

Trouble free service

It has been a trouble free car so far. We did have completely the brakes and the ball joints and struts at about 100,000 miles. It is great for local trips. Great fuel economy.

Chris R on October 18, 2020

Slowest four cylinder ever, but it is ok otherwise.

Overall good car. The main problem is the lack of engine power. It is the slowest four cylinder I have ever driven.

Elizabeth S on October 18, 2020

I love the size of it, it has traction control. I have not had a issues with it, it has good gas mileage. No complaints.

It has a good length to it. It sits low, but not too low.

Randy H on October 10, 2020

2007 Chevrolet Malibu - see previous slide!

Reliable, fuel efficient, low maintenance, road noise too loud, too many blind spots, planning to upgrade this year!

Erica C on September 29, 2020

It's very reliable! It's also very good on gas. When we had our jeep we would spend so much more money on gas!

Our vehicle is for the most part comfortable and is very reliable! It starts up every day and the only issues I have personally with it is I would like it to have more upgraded features.

Victoria T on September 29, 2020

It is safe and I am a good driver.

The car itself is fine. I just like to sit up higher. This one is too low to the ground. The accelerator sticks.

Kristin R on September 29, 2020

Over all the Chevy Malibu is a nice reliable car for a small family.

The Chevy Malibu is a nice car with good features. The gas mileage on the car goes from good to bad often if you do not keep maintenance up on the vehicle. It drives fine otherwise. It is not a car that is high on insurance. The price is reasonable. It is good for a small family of at least 3.

Tiffany S on September 28, 2020

I would not buy due to reported issues with the brakes.

I cried the night I drove it 'home' because the car struts or brakes were awful. I couldn't drive over 40 mph because braking was off. The GPS was hard to see and the roads had limited lighting. I do not like this vehicle because the seat sits too low and there is too low or rather does not adjust for my 5' 3" height. There are few features for me. I really need plug ins for other equipment since I am in my vehicle a lot.

Ashley W on September 28, 2020

A car with 5 seats. Nice amount of space and nice size trunk.

I have had to replace the battery but haven't had any serious problems with the car. It's not 4 wheel drive which is kind of hard in snowy areas. The car is a good size though and has plenty of trunk space. It also drives very nice and smoothly. Overall a very nice car and great purchase.

Joan G on September 10, 2020

Bought new, never a problem! 2007, still runs like new kept up the maintenance and have put a lot of miles on it. 117000 mi. Very happy.

If you Take care of your Chevy there's no doubt it will take you.

Austin D on September 9, 2020

It is a hatchback to that makes it stand out amongst the other Malibus.

I have a little issues with the driver sides electric controls. But other than that it is a pretty decent car. It gets me to and from where I need to go. No major problems other than the battery. I would recommended someone getting this car. Me my wife and our two boys fit comfortably inside of it.

Alyssa H on September 9, 2020

The gas mileage is very good.

I like my vehicle. I am a simplistic person who likes to get from point a to point b. My car gets me where I need to go without fail and does not have any issues with about 75,000 miles. No complaints about my car at all.

lynn F on August 31, 2020

It's a good car to drive, It will make longer trips well. It is good on gas. Which is the biggest plus. The interior could use some upgrading. But overall It's a solid vehicle.

Actually It's has been a pretty good car. I got it used,one owner and so far have only had to replace the starter. It handles nicely, It has a roomy interior and trunk. The defroster doesn't work that well. Overall i like it pretty well.

Becky W on August 31, 2020

ABS does not come standard, so be wary driving in rain.

It is ok. It gets me where I need to go. It still gets decent gas mileage. As it gets older it does not like going over 65 mph. I have always been disappointed that ABS did not come standard.

Alice D on August 24, 2020

Great car for everyday use and long distance travel.

I am a short person so I wanted a car that I could see out of without using a pillow. I wanted a car with low mileage and an affordable price. . My Malibu maxx fit all of the criteria. It gets good gas mileage. It has anti-lock brakes which have been a great feature in the winter.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.