One problem related to steering pinion shaft has been reported for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2007 Malibu.
Purchased 2007 Malibu lt used with 29,097 miles with remainder of factory warranty and extended warranty after that. Soon after purchase a popping clunking noise became apparent in the steering mostly when turning either direction. Put off by dealer until factory warranty void then was told that steering gear in rack & pinion defective ( this was at 42,509 miles) they then replaced the whole rack and pinion assy. No noise for 3800 miles then right back to where we started. Finally received appointment for dealer repair shop at 47,096 miles. Car was inspected and we were told that intermediate shaft is making the noise but it "is not a safety concern and we should be fine driving the vehicle" I specifically asked the service desk at the dealer if there might be a safety recall or service bulletin and was told that there were none. Your web site shows service bulletin #060232007 that directly pertains to this problem, and also complaint # 10257971 that is precisely what our problem is. This noises we contend with are not some little wimpy things that you can only hear with the windows up, but loud enough for persons standing on the sidewalk or driveway to hear plainly my wife and I are both disabled and we are almost afraid to go anywhere in the vehicle for fear of a breakdown, not to mention anybody riding with us. I was told by the dealer that we would have to pay (again) for more repair to the steering, but that it was an ongoing engineering problem that gm has had for years, and they couldn't (or wouldn't?) guarantee that it (the problem ) wouldn't crop up again later. We would just like to spread the word to other gm owners.