2009 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,511 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 1,511 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 23 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was on my way to work south bound on 1 st avenue when another vehicle turn from on coming traffic to cross in front of me to head west bound when we impacted my seat belt did not restrain me at all my head hit the drivers door window very hard and deflected off and continued to the hit the front window then airbag then deployed after to throw be back into my seat after.”
NHTSA complaint #11165755, filed 2019-01, 115,000 miles“Power steering flashes on dash board and I lose complete control. I then have to use my strength to turn the wheel while the vehicle slows down. Sometimes this goes away and it drives fine. I've experienced it shutting down while going down the high way and this cannot be safe! After researching recalls, it appears I am experiencing the details of the recall for the torque sensor. The vehicle is below 150,000 miles. It also randomly will flash 'service air bag'.”
NHTSA complaint #11397061, filed 2021-02, 149,000 miles“Leaving my subdivision trying to make a left turn when I was hit on the driver's side passenger door, just shy of the driver's door. Side airbags did not deploy. Therefore, onstar did not contact me. I rec'd injuries and had to be transferred to hospital. Car was totaled. Person that hit me was going at least 45-55 MPH.......updated 09-03-14 updated 11/7/2014”
NHTSA complaint #10628664, filed 2014-08, 137,000 miles“On september 14, 2008 at approximately 12:30 am, the car I was driving suddenly went into a skid after which I aggressively deployed the brakes when the airbags deployed leaving me unconscious and not in control of the car. The car then hit the barrier and then a parked disabled car at a high speed. I was injured and the driver of the parked car was fatally killed. I went to prison for five years because no one would believe my story.”
NHTSA complaint #10578150, filed 2014-04, 3,200 miles“I was driving on I-95 in north dakota. Straight road, no vehicles near me, no bumps and my passenger curtain airbag exploded. I was going about 80 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11024037, filed 2017-09, 109,000 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 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
769 complaintsElectrical system
368 complaintsElectronic stability control
255 complaintsExterior lighting
172 complaintsBrakes
153 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
121 complaintsOther or unknown
75 complaintsVehicle speed control
73 complaintsEngine
61 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
56 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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