2003 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 5%of 569 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag red warning light is flashing on dashboard when turning the ignition. This happens intermittently. I am afraid the airbag will deploy at any time even if there is no car crash. This has happened at least 2 times. Once when the car was sluggish and I had to turn it off at atop light because it would not accelerate over 40 miles and hour. The other time it happened just when I was starting the car. I”
NHTSA complaint #10863384, filed 2016-05, 65,000 miles“My 2008 saturn outlook's passenger side airbag indicator light shows 'off' even when an adult is sitting in the seat with the seatbelt on. I saw there was a recall for the 2007 model but not one issued for the 2008 model. I wanted to report this problem due to the seriousness if there is an accident and the bag is not functional.”
NHTSA complaint #10465301, filed 2012-07, 75,000 miles“I was traveling on a snowy/icy road when I lost control of my vehicle at about 50 MPH. My vehicle went sideways until traveling into a ditch at which point the vehicle collided with a tree. The front end was completely destroyed and pushed the motor back a good 2 feet. My head slammed into the windshield and airbags were not deployed. The impact of the front end was just a little off center to the passenger side.”
NHTSA complaint #10558124, filed 2014-01, 130,000 miles“While driving on the freeway I was rear ended and pushed into the center divider and bounced off only to be struck again from the rear. The front and rear quarter panels were damaged the frame was compromised. My complaint is that the airbags never deployed. I suffered back, arm, leg & knee injuries in the collision. The car has been totaled by my insurance company but I am still curious as to what happened to the safety air bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10485916, filed 2012-11, 123,000 miles“My check engine light has been coming on and giving me problems. Just took it in to my car repair they said now its shows air bag error also. They want to change out the ignition switch. This car has had nothing but trouble with only 66 thousand miles! Now the air bags probably wont work when needed. I want this fixed on the ignition recall. Every time I pull up to my home after driving this car I am just waiting for it to start on fire as nothing seems to work like it should.”
NHTSA complaint #10608864, filed 2014-07, 66,237 milesAir 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 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
289 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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