Electrical System. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 202 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 191 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports13 fire reports27 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

101 reports

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41,325 miles · Apr 24, 2014

Air BagsElectrical System

WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE AND HIT THE HORN TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I FOUND THAT BY HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD GO OUT AND RESET. EVERY TIME I USE MY HORN CAUSES THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT TO COME ON. SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT AGAIN O…

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NHTSA ODI #10584737

43,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014

Air BagsCrash

HAD A BROADSIDE COLLISION WITH IMPACT TO SIDE OF MALIBU THAT DROVE DRIVERS DOOR INTO DRIVERS SEAT, PUSHING SEAT INTO CENTER CONSOLE. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY FROM THIS ACCIDENT! B POST WAS BENT INTO PASSENGER AREA ALSO. AGAIN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583617

70,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014

Air BagsCrash

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE SUFFERED A SEIZURE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE BEFORE LANDING IN A CREEK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578047

7,758 miles · Mar 4, 2014

Air Bags

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ON MAY 30, 2013, I NOTICED THAT THE ON LIGHT FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR 2012 CHEVROLET MALLIBU. I AM 66 INCHES TALL AND WEIGH OVER 100 POUNDS. I AM AN OLDER ADULT - NOT A CHILD. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK THE MALIBU TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN MERRIAM, KANSAS WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT WE SHOULD TURN THE AIRBAG ON. I WASN'T PRESENT AT THE SERVICE DESK TO EXPLAIN THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT COME ON NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUSHED THE ON AND OFF BUTTON WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR. SOME TIME LATER, I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND HANDED ME OUR 17 POUND DOG. INSTANTLY THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE RETURNED TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET ON NOVEMBER 6, AND EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS WHEN I WAS HOLDING THE 17 POUND DOG. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS CONTROLLED BY A SENSOR THAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE REPAIR REPORT STATED, "CUST STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HIS WIFE SITTING IN SEAT TO ENGAGE AIRBAG - SHE WEIGHS 100 LBS. SCANNED SYSTEM. NO CODES PRESENT, CK FOR PROGRAMMING UPDATES. CURRENT. NO REPAIRS MADE OR ATTEMPTED. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG OPERATION OF (SIC) OCCUPANT IS LIGHTER THAN PRE DETERMINED LIMIT WITH IN THE CONTROL MODULE. OPERATING AS INTENDED AT THIS TIME." WE HAND DELVERED A LETTER TO THE HENDRICK SERVICE MANAGER STATING WE WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE. WE WANTED A WORKING PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10567294

4,000 miles · May 26, 2013

Air Bags

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MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AT RANDOM TIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED (BY SOMEONE >120 LBS) ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IF THE PASSENGER UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS FAILURE WHILE SITTING STILL AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SENSING SENSOR AND CONTROL MODULE. THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SITS WITH ONE LEG TUCKED UNDER THE OTHER THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE. NOT BUYING IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALWAYS FAIL LIKE THAT. WE HAVE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE ADVISER AND THE TECHNICIAN. I CAN GET THE SYSTEM TO RESET BY CYCLING THE KEY TO OFF AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE FIX JUST THE PATCH. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN USING THE REMOTE START AND THE PASSENGER GETS IN BEFORE THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513611

15,000 miles · May 6, 2013

Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 47 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN AROUND THE PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK AND HIP INJURIES. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK AND ANKLE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE SEATBELT AND AIR BAG FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10510807

47,000 miles · Apr 16, 2013

Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. …

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NHTSA ODI #10508463

19,956 miles · Mar 20, 2013

Air BagsCrashInjury

MY AUTO GOING THRU GREEN LIGHT INTERSECTION-STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE BY AUTO WHO RAN RED LIGHT-DAMAGED BOTH PASSENGER SIDE DOORS (BOTH REPLACED)-OTHER AUTO DOING APPROX 45MPH -DID $8000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR-RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE.

NHTSA ODI #10504037

32,828 miles · Nov 27, 2012

Air BagsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER CHEST AND INJURIES TO THE FACE BECAUSE METAL PIECES FROM THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY STRUCK HER IN THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,828. ..UPDATED 12/05/12 *BF UPDATED 12/07/2012 *JS..UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF UPDATED 06/1/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10486242

13,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012

Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING EAST DOWN HWY-40 TOWARD SALINA, KS. SHE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 60 MPH. SHE BEGAN TO HAVE A EPILEPTIC SEIZURE (SHE WAS CLEARED BY HER DOCTOR TO DRIVE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT) AT THAT POINT THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOWLY DRIFT OF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR DROVE OVER A CULVER, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR STRUCK AT CONCRETE FORM AND SENT THE CAR ROLLING OF INTO A FIELD THE CAR ROLLED FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE FOURTH ROLL THE CAR ROLLED BACK ON TO ITS WHEELS AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE DUE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL BEING ENGAGED AND DROVE 100FT BEFORE COMING TO REST ONCE IT STRUCK A CONCRETE FENCE POST. AT NO TIME DID ANY OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY NOR DID THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS A CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEM THREW ON-STAR, AT NO TIME DID THE CRASH RESPONSE ACTIVATE. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO ME VIA THE SALINE COUNTY SHERIFFS. MY WIFE ONLY SUFFERED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478702

Official recalls

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)