The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving down the road at 35 MPH, he switched lanes into a blind spot and was t-boned by another vehicle traveling at the same speed. The contact stated the impact occurred on the driver's side, left front, and passenger doors, which caused the vehicle to spin out. The contact stated the passenger side then struck a light pole during the spin. The contact stated the driver's side windows were broken, and the entire passenger side of the vehicle was smashed. The contact stated that not a single air bag deployed during either impact. The contact stated no warning lights appeared on the dashboard prior to or during the incident. The contact stated a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later moved to a body shop, where it was declared totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems
14 complaints (2% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 24,988. 9 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 24,988
- crashes
- 9
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
Recall number 18V400000 · Recall details
What 2018 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after her husband entered traffic at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was struck on the front driver's side by another vehicle at 45 MPH. The air bags did not deploy as a result of the collision. No warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. A police report was filed, and three individuals were treated for injuries: the driver of the vehicle was treated for a broken collar bone, the passenger of the vehicle was treated for bruising, and the driver of the other vehicle was treated for undisclosed injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. While in the park position, the shift to park message was displayed. The vehicle was slow to move. While adding fuel to the tank, the fuel would bubble at the top and stop. While driving approximately 35 mph, a 2018 GMC Terrain crashed into the front end of the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to her hip, soft tissue, lower back, whiplash, and neck and medical attention was provided. There was a police report filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side air bag in the steering wheel had fractured near the lower part of the steering wheel. The contact contacted the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer with assistance to have the air bag replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. A case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 63,250.
This vehicle was involved in a crash on the driver side door and now the problem is with the airbag pop up and the HAVC isn’t wanting to work either.
Third brake light cracks on left side, resulting in damage to the brake light and letting water leak in through the roof damaging the car's interior, including the rear curtain airbags.
A few days after I got my in October 2018 my car did not start! I pressed the push start and it turned on but wouldn’t “start.” It went back to normal shortly after that but then randomly “steering issues” started happening. THEN my car would LITERALLY STOP at lights and take a minute to turn back on. Or I would be trying to get speed and my CAR WOULD NOT GO. Do you know how unsafe that made me feel especially having a 5 year old and 2 year (when it happen in the last they where obviously 3 and a new born) but it was scary. The check engine light comes on and off. And TODAY MY CAR did what it do a here and there it shut off… and then on a BUSY road WOULD NOT GO. I had to sit and wait until my family could help push my 2 year old car off the busy road with my 2 babies in the car. It was horrible. Im paying so much for a car I CONSISTENTLY have issues with. Im scared to drive my own car. Now im being told my car needs a new battery, a weird part is needing to be replaced. I have had the same issues taken it to the shop and told everything is good. Oil changes kept up etc. everyone I know that has a Malibu has issues with their Malibu’s
I was at a red light and out of no where the Air bags on the driver side deployed, there was a passenger thanks god they did not go out.
The contact owned a 2018 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front end of the vehicle. During the crash the top section of the front passenger side seat belt malfunctioned and did not secure the passenger causing the passenger to make contact with the front windshield. Also, both the front driver and passenger side airbags did not immediately deploy upon impact. The front passenger sustained bruising of the bottom torso, back, neck, and head injuries. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 96,336. The consumer provided photos and police report.
Had a car accident on september 17, 2019 my car stalled while making left turn had this problem since I purchased this car also my tires continued to go on flat
Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu airbags
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 24,988 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V400000. 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 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Engine 286Electrical 193Transmission 171Acceleration 114Fuel system 101Brakes 69Steering 42Driver assistance 35Suspension 13Lights 9Body 7Visibility 6Seat belts 3Seats 2Tires 2Wheels 2
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