1998 Chevrolet Malibu: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Oct 8, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 100,000 miles · KY · crash

My granddaughter was 18 years old and had recently graduated high school. She was driving to work on a tuesday morning, the weather was clear and the road was dry. As she rounded a small curve, her steering went out. The car's right front wheel went off the road, sending the car out of control. When my granddaughter tried to steer back onto the road, the car slid on the pavement, spun around, was thrown over a ditch, hit a tree and landed back on the road. The airbag did not deploy, and my granddaughter's small body (98 pounds) was thrown across the seat and into the floorboard on the passenger side. When police and ambulances arrived, there was nothing they could do. My granddaughter died at the scene from head trauma and internal injuries. Her identical twin sister lost half of her identity that day; the two of them were as one. Emergency teams had to use the jaws of life to retrieve her body from the car. This accident happened within one mile from my home. I could hear the sirens in the distance but had no idea that they were sounding for my granddaughter. The memory of those sirens still haunts me.

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 80,000 miles · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

This vehicle had a crash with fatalities in 2006. General motors never issued a unintended ignition turnoff on this vehicle until aug2014. The crash began with an uncontrollable and unexpected spinout, there was no ability to steer, brake and air bags did not deploy. These are the exact conditions listed in the gm recall. Gm will not accept a filing for this make and model vehicle and should be added to the gm ignition failure claim program. The federal safety agency didn't all the gm recall to malibu's but I have notified them of the oversight. This should be corrected and compensation provided by gm. This is the exact wording on the gm recall website: the following recalls have been found for your 1998 chevrolet malibu results last updated: sep 16, 2014 gm recall #: n140350 the federal safety agency recall #: 14v400 date issued: aug 12, 2014 unintended ignition key rotation recall description: general motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 2000-2005 my chevrolet impala and monte carlo, 1997-2005 my chevrolet malibu, 1999-2004 my oldsmobile alero, 1998-2002 my oldsmobile intrigue, 1999-2005 my pontiac grand am, and 2004-2008 my pontiac grand prix vehicles. If the key ring is carrying added weight and the vehicle goes off road or experiences some other jarring event, it may unintentionally move the key away from the run position. If this occurs, engine power, power steering and power braking may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Safety risk description: the timing of the key movement out of the run position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may result in the airbags not deploying, increasing the potential for occupant injury in certain kinds of crashes.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Brakes · TN · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when approaching a red light, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the contact sustained a knee, a hip bruising and a muscle behind shoulder which required medical attention. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Dec 5, 2006 · Airbags, Seat belts · 11,900 miles · WA · crash

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front impact crash, and the airbags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact was wearing a seat belt, and the buckle assembly fractured upon initial impact. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle sustained moderate damage to the front end. The police were on the scene, and a report was taken. The manufacturer was alerted.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle was rear ended and hit a dump truck in front. Vehicle was not in motion, however, upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy.

Filed Oct 12, 2001 · Airbags, Seat belts · PA · crash · 1 injury

Front fender where front sensor was located was cracked. Consumer sustained chest and knee injuries from steering and dashboard because air bags didn't go off. Also, seat belt did not lock up. Consumer has not consulted manufacturer or dealer.

Filed Dec 21, 1999 · Airbags · KY · crash

Vehicle involved in a collision. Vehicle lost control and hit a phone pole, and rolled over. Both air bags failed to deploy. Dealer notified.

Filed Nov 9, 1999 · Airbags, Seat belts · LA · crash

Consumer was involved in a frontal collision in which the driver's or passenger air bags did not deploy. Also, the driver's seat belt malfunctioned, and all doors jammed. Please give any further details.

Filed Sep 15, 1999 · Airbags · PA · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the airbags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Manufacturer has been notified.

Filed Sep 17, 1998 · Airbags · FL

Vehicle crashed into a truck. Severe damage was done to the vehicle but the air bags did not deploy. Owner has no means of verifying dealer's claim that the air bag problem has been resolved.