2008 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 64about this part
- Share
- 6%of 989 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 64 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the 989 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 11 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.
“I was driving down a bridge when the vehicles in front of me came to a sudden stop, I hit my brakes and slid into the back of a dodge ram and then was rearended by a chevy tahoe. My airbags never deployed and a light flashed in the dash saying check airbags. I wasn't aware this could be a defect in my vehicle at the time, it has since be totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10617693, filed 2014-07, 55,000 miles“The air bag light comes on and it says to be serviced. Sometimes it comes on and it can stay off for long periods of time. The service air bag light can come on while the car is in motion and then turn off, sometimes it does stay on. My vehicle is giving a strong smell of fuel coming from the rear of the car. I notice it being a stronger smell after I station it after a drive. I have not seen a noticeable leak yet. I will have a mechanic check that for me.”
NHTSA complaint #11006661, filed 2017-07, 120,602 miles“Driving downtown des moines my message center started dinging, the message output was: power steering the steering wheel began moving on its own back & forth, jerking and grinding. At one point jerked out of my hand. It became almost impossible to continue. I pulled into a convience store, bought power steering fluid and started the vehicle. The steering seemed normal. The car was not low on fluids, I didn't travel far before it happened again. By the time I made it home my ribs were hurting from trying to manauver the car home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11165414, filed 2019-01, 128,000 miles“Bought my car 3 months ago from a chevy dealership, 3 days later my service airbag lights came on. I took it back to the dealership and was told I would have to pay to get it fixed, they said that my airbags would not deploy if this light was on. Why should I pay for a safety feature that should not have problems? Its like selling a car with a passenger seatbelt only. I do not feel I should have to pay for my airbags to be worked on. With all of the recalls for airbags I think they missed my year make and model. Its rediculous”
NHTSA complaint #10908758, filed 2016-09, 58,000 miles“Air bag warning light comes on and says to service airbags. Will stay on until I turn off the car and restart it. Will do this every couple of days. I have pictures of it.”
NHTSA complaint #10703981, filed 2015-04, 85,416 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201252Jul 21, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
460 complaintsElectrical system
233 complaintsExterior lighting
106 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
71 complaintsElectronic stability control
68 complaintsEngine
62 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsOther or unknown
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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