Swerved to avoid a deer and struck a guard rail, head on. Air bags didn't deploy and seat belt didn't lock up. Police, fire, ambulance and tow truck driver couldn't believe the bags and seat belt failed. Daughter was driving and receive a concussion, a v shape cut in scalp requiring 17 stitches to close and severe bruising all over. Police thinks her head struck the steering wheel or possibly the rear view mirror. Slack in seat belt allowed too much body movement and the air bags failure cause the head trauma. Entire front end of car is destroyed so sensors should have activate.
1997 Chevrolet Malibu: airbags did not deploy in a crash
7 of the 443 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the frame separated from the vehicle causing it to flip and crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained head and neck injuries which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Sitting at a red light in a complete stopped position the car rolled forward with the brake still being depressed and completely went to the floor as I quickly tried to pump the brakes to stop and an oncoming vehicle struck me. Troopers and other personal checked my brakes at the time of the accident and said that there wasn't any brakes. No brake problems had been experienced prior to this. I was severely struck by the other vehicle which completely turned the direction of my vehicle and caused total damage resulting in a total loss. The impact was so hard, the other drive was cited for his high-speed hit to my vehicle. The airbags never deployed and is a great concern of mine at this point in time as well as the brake failure. I received notice in december 2007 from gm that there was a settlement of a pending district court case (delmas ford, el al. V. General motors corporation, case no. Cj-2002-424) which meant that my vehicle had to be sean by a authorized chevy dealer to have the 1997 chevy malibu's sensing and diagnostic module reprogrammed. This referred to tsb #07-09-41-006 dated august 2007. I had the vehicle seen as soon as there was an open appointment on january 7, 2008 at randy marion chevrolet pontiac buick. So, upon this accident today, I am without a vehicle due to brake failure after already have them replaced within the last four months as well as failure of the airbags to deploy. I am also contacting an attorney in regard to this matter. I understand there were other accidents involving this issue of the airbags deploying at odd times. After a notice of settlement of this case and having the vehicle airbags checked and fixed as indicated, I am a fearful and concerned consumer of this incident as I have total vehicle loss and sufficient damages. You would think that the airbags would definitely work.......they didn't deploy at all as well as the brakes letting go mid stoplight.
Dt: on 07/19/2005 the contact's vehicle was hit from behind which caused it to nose dive into a ditch. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy. There were no lights illuminated on the dash prior to the accident. The contact did not know how fast the other vehicle was traveling at the time of impact. The impact of the crash bent the vehicle's doors and busted he windshield. *ak
While driving 20 consumer crashed head on into a pole. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
While driving 55 MPH and without warning was involved in a front end collision, upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver sustainede major body injuries. Also, vehicle was totaled.
During a head-on collision air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained some whiplash that hurt real badly.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fasteners that secure the passenger air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted.
- Risk
- If the air bag deploys, the module could separate from the instrument panel striking and injuring an occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the air bag module for the presence of the fasteners and, if necessary, install any fasteners that may have been omitted.
Recall number 97V107000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?
7 of 443 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu (2%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
Wipers 27ABS 24Ball joint 23Grinding brakes 19Headlights 17Premature wear 13Stalling 13Won't start 11Power steering loss 9Steering lock-up 8Brake failure 7Overheating 7Engine failure 6Knocking 5
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