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Air bagsPart report

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
2%of 1,148 total for the year
Median mileage
95,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 1,148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,500 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I was stopped at a red light and was rear-ended by a car going 15-20 MPH (the at-fault driver was distracted by their phone). I was knocked unconscious and had a bump over my left eye from hitting something. I had a concussion. The airbags did not deploy. A policy report was filed. I still suffer mid and lower back pain (disc bulges and fissures). After the wreck, I started to get a warning about needing to service the airbags.”

NHTSA complaint #11192055, filed 2019-03, 215,000 miles

“Takata recall. My radio started displaying a service air bag message and my horn stopped working. The wiring in the car has stopped working. I began to replace lightbulbs thinking they were blown but just will not work. Heard this car was recalled for these exact problems I am having but for some reason my car has no recalls. My steering wheel makes a knocking noise when turning very sharp. Sounds like a piece is broken knocking around”

NHTSA complaint #11162446, filed 2018-12, 160,000 miles

“I was driving heard a pop and then the airbag light came on. I then noticed the wheel was turned half way and I was still going straight. This was very dangerous thank god I was on a street alone. I took it to the dealer (hove) they told me my extended warrant had expired due to mileage and it was 1300.00 to fix. On top of the issue of safety I also don't have the cash and I need my car. I have seen all the reports from this problem and strongly feel this should be a recalled piece.”

NHTSA complaint #10535450, filed 2013-08, 147,000 miles

“Lady lost control of car and hit a truck and smashed passenger side front section and air bags deployed. She did not have the money to pay the tow company so she let them have the car. I found this information on car facts online. My son lives in mo and purchased the car and I purchased the car due to the low miles on the car and now having problems getting the air bags to function properly. I also caller deery brothers Chevrolet dealership and they checked my VIN and this car does have a recall on it.”

NHTSA complaint #10604699, filed 2014-06, 37,800 miles

“The car cut off while I was driving and in heavy traffic more than once. There was no warning that this would happen. The car was serviced before for this problem but it continued to happen. I have had 3 recalls, the horn fuse has been replaced twice, and the blinker is currently out. The steering collar has also been replaced. This car was supposed to be a new car.”

NHTSA complaint #10123684, filed 2005-05, 23,500 miles

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023811%
202244%
202167%
202042%
201963%
2018142%
2017142%
2016182%
20154918%
2014165%
2013597%
201210111%
20119310%
201014411%
2009634%
2008646%
2007758%
2006343%
2005253%
2004262%
2003275%
2002183%
2001213%
2000313%
1999405%
1998404%
1997256%

Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu

Steering
799 complaints
Electrical system
151 complaints
Exterior lighting
84 complaints
Seats
69 complaints
Brakes
64 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
64 complaints
Suspension
31 complaints
Fuel system
29 complaints
Vehicle speed control
27 complaints
Electronic stability control
22 complaints
Other or unknown
21 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 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