1997 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 6%of 443 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the 443 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,750 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on a residential street and realized I was going the wrong way. I turned left to make a u-turn and drove onto the easement (dirt). When I turned the steering wheel to the left all the way, both airbags deployed. I was burned by the chemicals over the left side of my neck and chest, left ear and inside left wrist. I was traveling less than 5 MPH while making this turn. The passenger airbag knocked my window camera off and broke it and sent part of a handheld fan clipped to the passengers visor, into my head and ended up in the backseat. I did not hit anything as it was just dirt.”
NHTSA complaint #11289715, filed 2019-12, 83,501 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10225297, filed 2008-04, 167,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10131099, filed 2005-09, 62,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10691665, filed 2015-03, 107,000 miles“While driving at 35 MPH, the consumer hit a pot hole and then she lost control of the vehicle. The front end of the vehicle impacted a ditch and then the vehicle bounced onto a field. None of the front air bags deployed upon impact. Consumer fractured her back.”
NHTSA complaint #10033728, filed 2003-10, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 97V107000Jun 28, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fasteners that secure the passenger air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted.Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10022923Aug 1, 2007Sdm reprogram - class action settlement (u.s. Only).
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 7% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 14 | 2% |
| 2016 | 18 | 2% |
| 2015 | 49 | 18% |
| 2014 | 16 | 5% |
| 2013 | 59 | 7% |
| 2012 | 101 | 11% |
| 2011 | 93 | 10% |
| 2010 | 144 | 11% |
| 2009 | 63 | 4% |
| 2008 | 64 | 6% |
| 2007 | 75 | 8% |
| 2006 | 34 | 3% |
| 2005 | 25 | 3% |
| 2004 | 26 | 2% |
| 2003 | 27 | 5% |
| 2002 | 18 | 3% |
| 2001 | 21 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 3% |
| 1999 | 40 | 5% |
| 1998 | 40 | 4% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
111 complaintsElectrical system
87 complaintsSteering
80 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsTires
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
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