2006 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,690miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the 1,118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,690 miles. 17 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.
“My 2006 chevy Malibu ltz was totaled in a 3 car accident. No front or side air bags were deployed. The point of impact was front driver side and head on front end. My vehicle was towed from the scene of the accident and was totaled, so how can it be that no air bags were deployed? I have a report from GM that said that the air bags functioned as designed. Makes no sense! Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10234376, filed 2008-07, 30,000 miles“The first thing that happened was my passenger side rear door just suddenly flew open while I was driving my vehicle down the road. Doors were locked and all were completely closed and the door just came open for some unknown reason. Had my mechanic take a look and he couldn't see anything unusual about the mechanism or anything on the door. It has happened several times since so now I put the seatbelt through the door handle and pull it tight and lock seatbelt into place so if it happens the door won't fly open again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693589, filed 2015-03, 122,000 miles“I was driving on the interstate on 11/18/2012, when a car cut across all three lanes. It had not been raining, and the roads were dry, but when I applied my brakes to avoid hitting the car that cut me off, my wheels locked up sending me fishtailing at 70+ MPH. I slid into the center lane, striking a vehicle on my right rear corner panel. I then repeatedly tried to pump my brakes and turn into the skid to regain control of the vehicle, and each time the wheels locked up again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485761, filed 2012-11, 127,512 miles“My 2006 Chevrolet Malibu's airbags did not function in two separate hard-hitting crashes. The car's engine light often comes on and stays on until I drive over a large bump in the road or slam on my brakes to give it a jolt. I also smell fuel periodically. The horn has not worked for many years. I took my car to a dealer once with the request to replace my ignition switch because it gets stuck intermittently, and they strangely refused to replace it because it isn't malfunctioning for us. This was before the recalls became public. …”
NHTSA complaint #10725174, filed 2015-06, 40,000 miles“Service airbag light comes on prematurely do not know if bags will deploy without an accident. I am not familiar with airbag system so I don't know what recourse I should take. 2006 chevy Malibu.”
NHTSA complaint #10363445, filed 2010-11, 83,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V417000Oct 31, 2006Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2006, Buick Lacrosse 2005–2006, GMC Envoy 2005–2006 +9 more
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 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
812 complaintsElectrical system
142 complaintsFuel system
96 complaintsBrakes
70 complaintsExterior lighting
63 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsElectronic stability control
29 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSuspension
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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