Electrical System. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 213 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports17 fire reports30 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

93 reports

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22,000 miles · May 20, 2014

Air BagsSeat Belts

LIGHT ON DASH CONSOLE RANDOMLY COMES ON ALERTING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND ALSO REMINDING ME THAT I NEED TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT WHEN MY SEAT BELT IS ALREADY FASTENED PROPERLY. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PRESENT FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAVE CAUGHT HELL FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS TO HAV…

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NHTSA ODI #10592689

3,200 miles · Apr 17, 2014

Air Bags

I HAD JUST GOT THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CARS AIR BAG SENSORS. I HAD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS AFTER ONLY HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS SO THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM THE 1ST TIME THEY HAD TO ME THAT THIS WAS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 10000 MILE…

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NHTSA ODI #10583234

40,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014

Air Bags

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SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE NEXT MORNING IT DID NOT COME ON. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUE, SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT CONTINUED TO COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST 400 FOR THE NEW PART AND ANOTHER 200 TO "FLASH" THE COMPUTER. THEY ALSO SAID OUR AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK AS LONG AS THIS LIGHT WAS ON. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF. THEN ON 3/26/14, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND CONTINUES TO COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND SINCE THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK, IT JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575080

80,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014

Air Bags

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE, AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS WITH THE MALIBUS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THE "AIRBAG CONTROL SYSTEM" HAD DIED AND THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT WORK. THE SERVICE TO REPLACE THE "BRAIN" WOULD COST $1000 PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER THROWING A SMALL FIT THEY "GOT WITH THE CHEVY CUSTOMER TEAM" AND WERE ABLE TO DO IT FOR JUST COST OF PARTS ($400 +/-). WE PAID FOR THE SERVICE, AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. WE WERE ADVISED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE THE PARTS CARRIED A 1 YEAR WARRANTY, YIPPEE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER A HARD BRAKING EVENT, THAT THE CONTROL BOX SHORTS OUT. I THINK THAT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED. IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM IF IT WAS SOMETHING INCONSEQUENTIAL, BUT THIS IS A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT. WE HAD TO GET IT FIXED, I'M NOT LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE HER CAR WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573720

30,300 miles · Jan 20, 2014

Air BagsPower Train

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I WAS AT A STOP TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC AT 7PM. WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO GO MY CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. IT WOULD ONLY REV. I THREW IT IN PARK THEN TO DRIVE...NOTHING. TRIED MANUAL. NOTHING. REVERSE WAS ALL THAT WORKED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF INTERSECTION. HAD WRECKER TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. FRIDAY NIGHT THEY TELL ME CAR IS READY THAT THE CHIP IN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. GO SATURDAY TO GET IT AND WHEN I TURNED CAR ON IT READ "SERVICE AIR BAG". THEY TRIED TO CLEAR CODE BUT FAILED. SAID THAT THERE WAS A TRUE PROBLEM AND WOULD LOOK AT IT MONDAY THE 20TH. JUST GOT A CALL SAYING THE AIR BAG CHIP SHORTED OUT AND GENERALLY ALL IN ALL IS A 700.00 FIX. THEY ALLEGEDLY SPOKE TO GM WHO SAID JUST CHARGE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. DUE TO SOME ISSUES I HAD WITH DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME 50.00 AND THEY WOULD COVER THE REST. I DO NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK YET AS THEY ARE WORKING ON IT STILL. GLAD I STILL HAD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SO RIGHT NOW THE ONLY OUT OF POCKET COST WITH THIS WHOLE ORDEAL WILL BE THE 50.00. HOWEVER I FEEL I NOR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE I WAS TOLD THIS IS A "KNOWN &COMMON" ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560634

55,840 miles · Jan 11, 2014

Air Bags

HELLO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ( CHEVY MALIBU 2011) DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE AIRBAG CAME ON. I WAS NOT SPEEDING I WAS GOING 30 MPH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS AN ERROR CODE B0014. I NOTICED IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH GM MOTORS IN GENERAL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS …

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NHTSA ODI #10559442

32,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014

Air Bags

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RECENTLY MY 2011 MALIBU WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT HAS STARTED TO SHOW THE SERVICE AIR BAG ON THE DISPLAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICER AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WITH ME RECENTLY LOOSING MY JOB OUT OF POCKET IS NOT AN OPTION. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AMONG THE 2010-2011 MODELS. I LOCATED THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR DOESN'T QUALIFY WITH THE VIN FOR THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I DID INFORM THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALER A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN THE ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING TO MAKE SURE THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE AN AIR BAG RANDOMLY BLOWING UP IN FACE WHILE DRIVING SINCE THE ISSUE OCCURS RANDOMLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 0-70 MPH. THE TECH ADVISED ME THAT WOULD NOT OCCUR AS WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED. ADVISED GM THIS DURING OUR PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THIS WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR THERE VEHICLES AS THEY HAVE CORRECTED ON VIN SPECIFIC 2010-2011 IN THERE WORDS THAT I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANNA MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM ISN'T BIGGER. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559157

45,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013

Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS GOING ONTO A EXIT AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CAR SPUN AND I ENDED UP SIDEWAYS. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. I SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A FACIAL HEMATOMA AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554926

21,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013

Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

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ON 6/22/13 AT APPROX 1:40PM I WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK FROM MY LUNCH BREAK AND I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON MY GREEN LIGHT AT APPROX 30MPH WHEN A BIG CHEVY TRUCK BLEW THROUGH THE RED LIGHT GOING APPROX 40 MPH. I ENDED UP T BONING THE CAB OF HIS TRUCK. CAUSING ME TO DO A 360. TORE OFF THE BUMPER COMPLETELY. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND ONSTAR DID NOT CALL ME. TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES OF MY CAR FAILED ME! I THANK GOD I AM ALIVE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES! EVERYONE WHO SAW MY CAR INCLUDING THE BODY SHOP ARE IN COMPLETE SHOCK OF MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING! I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CAUSE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522768

30,000 miles · Mar 16, 2013

Air BagsElectrical System

CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN RESET ITSELF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON INTERMITTENT MODE SHUT OFF AND ON AGAIN. REPORTED TO CHEVY DEALER, SAID IF LIGHT WASN'T ON THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT, IF THE WIPERS ARE WORKING PROPERLY THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT. DID THIS ON MY LAST OIL CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503244

Official recalls

19V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 16, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.

15V269000 · Seat Belts

May 8, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)