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2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems

93 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 61,573. 21 crashes reported.

owner complaints
93
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
61,573
crashes
21
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202023

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 49No deployment 16

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 16, 2019 · 1,145 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V019000 · Recall details

What 2011 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 9, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

Hi my name Is [XXX] . JD Byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since Ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard Service Airbags ,Service ABS and traction ESC off are some of the few. The car has been to their service department 14 times since Ive owned it each time they said its fixed then its right back in their shop again. I have one daughter with sickle cell disease and one with autism. My kids are afraid to ride in the car and Im afraid to drive it. Last Monday while bringing my kids to school every light on the dash board came on then the car shut down on me on the highway. If the car behind me wouldnt have swerved around me and the one behind it didnt jam their brakes my kids and i would have been seriously hurt or possibly killed. I got the car pulled to byrider they claim it was the alternator said it was fixed but soon as i started the car those same lights were on again. So i brought it back and the guy told me that was another problem and i would have to make another appointment. I cant keep putting myself and my kids in danger. I am returning Byrider their vehicle today. Please help us. Byrider cant keep taking advantage of poor people like myself. I am surrendering that car today. Please do not let them put that car back on the road. Someone is going to be seriously injured or killed. My name is [XXX] and my phone number is [XXX] . Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 18, 2025 · Airbags, Driver assistance · NY

Steering locks while driving

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · OH · crash

On [XXX] around 1pm me and my mom were in a bad accident we were driving on [XXX] through Columbus Ohio to go down to Kentucky we were at least 50 feet from the truck that was pulling a camper when all of sudden the camper had no brake lights and was not moving my mom pushed the brake all the way to the floor you could feel the car trying to stop but it wasn’t stopping we were only going 25 and should have been able to stop . But we didn’t by till we were in the camper bumper driver side airbag went off but mine in the passenger seat didn’t forcing my head to fly forward then back my seat belt locked to hard I felt I couldn’t breath and I had just had my appendix removed two days before the accident I was screaming in pain I was later on took to the hospital to make sure I was not bleeding on the inside I now sit in my bed feeling hopeless in so much pain . Since I was been laying in bed I Kelly blue booked our 2011 Chevy Malibu to see what I could possibly get from it but then found out there was not one but three recalls Airbag, brakes, and seat belts but I was never notified i did some more digging and found out these are all new my question is why was I never notified about this we have had this car five years and I found all these recalls going all the back to 2020 and we have had it since 2021. I blame Chevy for my car accident they failed to tell me something major was wrong with my brakes and airbag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 11, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

Air bag, supplemental restraint system failure caused by a faulty electrical connector under the driver's seat. GM is aware of this issue and may have issued a TSB. A recall and repair at GM's expense would be a better way to address this issue as some people might not be willing or able to pay for the one hundred plus dollars repair cost and continue to drive the car with repairing the supplemental restraint system.

Filed Mar 1, 2022 · Airbags, Steering · MN

Airbag light and ESC power steering light on at the same time. Service ESC on and of on the screen and after awhile the steering wheel locked and I lost control of my direction while I am turning left on a traffic light. I end up in a ditch. I took it to Chevy service dealership and they find out a diffect on steering torque sensor shaft and they recommend me to replace it. They ask me $1024.00 for labor and part.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the "Service Air Bag" warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

Headlights keep going out and service airbag light keep coming on

Filed Aug 16, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 88,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that later in 2020, the electronic stability control (ESC) and low traction warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that both front rotating assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V019000 (Air Bags) and 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed May 23, 2021 · Airbags · NJ

Air bag service light remains on and will not reset!! Started after 1525 miles on car. Car was undriven for 5 years. Dealer says not warranty problem!!!!

Filed Mar 13, 2021 · Airbags, Suspension · MI

My car suspension system is bumpy and shakes very bad when I am driving it in the city streets and brake is poor does not have a light brake to step easy for a slow stop I am having a problem driving my car its not smooth ride I am afraid of my car its going to give me a problem.

Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbags

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 93 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 61,573 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 19V019000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most airbags complaints are 2010 (144 complaints), 2012 (101 complaints) and 2011 (93 complaints).

Other 2011 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Electrical 235Steering 214Driver assistance 183Engine 172Lights 130Transmission 112Acceleration 87Seat belts 53Brakes 44Seats 38Fuel system 37Body 19Visibility 14Suspension 11Wheels 11Tires 6Locks 2

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