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Air bagsPart report

1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Air bags Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
40%of 5 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, 40% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 claim program. An innocent person has a been convicted of manslaughter and this should be corrected immediately and compensation provided by GM. …”

NHTSA complaint #10637270, filed 2014-09, 80,000 miles

“1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Consumer writes in regards to airbags and ignition problems. The consumers son was involved in an accident, and the air bag failed to deploy. The vehicle was totaled. Prior to the accident, the consumer experienced ignition problems several times.”

NHTSA complaint #10644035, filed 2014-10

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200815%
2007213%
200555%
200443%
200019%
1998240%

Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Electrical system
4 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology