Chevrolet

Malibu (7th)

2004-2007 · Midsize Sedan ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.3)
7,871 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
79 Fire Reports
326 Crash Reports
Includes data from: MALIBUMALIBU MAXX
View all 5 generations of the Chevrolet Malibu → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

LZ9

3.9L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (3.5)
36 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
View details

L61

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.2)
2,278 complaints 569.5 per year Gasoline
14 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

LX9

3.5L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
4,342 complaints 910.8 per year Gasoline
54 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
2960
electrical
578
exterior
329
interior
288
brakes
268

Known Issues

Steering Issues (2,960 complaints)
Typical onset: 65,000โ€“143,000 mi Est. repair: $500โ€“$1,000 (217 reports)
Electrical System Issues (578 complaints)
Typical onset: 54,000โ€“140,000 mi Est. repair: $480โ€“$1,550 (27 reports)
Exterior Issues (329 complaints)
Typical onset: 55,000โ€“124,370 mi Est. repair: $162โ€“$600 (14 reports)

14 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Malibu regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (4,430 complaints)
steering critical
Electrical System Issues (1,035 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (466 complaints)
exterior critical
Brakes Issues (420 complaints)
brakes critical
Interior Issues (288 complaints)
interior critical

Recalls (12)

15V064000Apr 1, 2015serious
Steering

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.

14V153000Mar 30, 2014serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V224000Apr 29, 2014serious
Powertrain

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.

14E044000Jul 20, 2014serious
Steering

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.

14V252000May 13, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

11E009000Feb 27, 2011serious
Fuel System

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.

09E012000Jul 3, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

06V417000Oct 30, 2006serious
Air Bags

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

05V486000Oct 18, 2005cosmetic
Equipment

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE LABEL TABLE SPECIFIED THE 15 INCH SPARE FOR THE FRONT DISC/REAR DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD SPECIFY A 16 INCH SPARE TIRE SIZE.

04V094000Feb 23, 2004cosmetic
Equipment

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AORS) HAVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WITH AORS LABELS. THE AORS LABELS DO NOT INCLUDE STATEMENTS AND THE ILLUSTRATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 208 FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT AORS.

04V190000Apr 18, 2004serious
Service Brakes

SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BECAUSE OF AN ERRATIC REAR-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL, AND CAUSE ABS ACTIVATION WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED OR NEEDED ABS ACTIVATION TO BE EXTENDED DURING BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 3 MPH.

04V188000Apr 15, 2004serious
Seat Belts

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ANALYSIS OF AN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH TEST CONDUCTED BY THE NHTSA;S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) INDICATED THAT THE OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COULD DISCONNECT BECAUSE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE SEAT TRIM AND THE ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR WHEN THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED TO ITS LOWEST POSITION.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

The 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu has accumulated 7,871 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Electrical System, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Malibu engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu was offered with 18 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car?

The 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 7,871 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu have?

The 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu has 7,871 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu?

Before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Electrical System, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Malibu have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 7,871 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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