2010 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 144about this part
- Share
- 11%of 1,363 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 144 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of the 1,363 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 26 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.
“From the minute I drove my car off the lot the dash has been saying 'service airbags'. A week ago while I was driving I lost power steering. The dash said 'service ESC' and the traction control light popped up on the dash. If I turn off my car for a while the power steering may still work when I start it back up, but eventually I lose power steering again while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11386570, filed 2021-01, 160,000 miles“The service airbag soon message keeps coming on. I had a diagnostic done at the dealership. They indicated that the airbag module is faulty. The car is only 7yrs old and has less than 40,000 miles on it, this should not be an issue. Since it is a manufactures faulty part I feel that they should pay for the replacement part as I do not feel safe driving this car!”
NHTSA complaint #10995681, filed 2017-06, 32,000 miles“I was hit directly on the drivers side in the area of the driver t-boned. The air bags did not deploy. I was injured with a concussion and taken to the hospital. The car was totaled. The consumer stated his daughter was injured as well. Gm informed the consumer, the impact was not sufficient to cause the air bags to deploy. Updated 09/02/14”
NHTSA complaint #10608368, filed 2014-07, 22,000 miles“Faulty passenger presence module , airbag warning fault light on. . The dealership recommended the replacement of the module at my own expense of $800. I feel that my family and my safety is at risk due to a faulty design that GM is aware of with its airbag components. Airbags should be working for the life of the vehicle, and if they are failing the manufacturer should replace those faulty designed parts at no expense to the owners.”
NHTSA complaint #10957089, filed 2017-02, 85,000 miles“Stopped behind traffic and the vehicle behind me did not. Not sure how fast they were going, but fast enough to hit the rear of my car 2 times and push me into the vehicle in front of me. The problem is-- my air bags did not deploy. I am having issues with back and neck since the seat belt did not hold me in place. The drivers seat broke, but the passengers seat belt held, but no air bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10593551, filed 2014-05, 82,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V019000Jan 16, 2019General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2010–2011
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 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
454 complaintsElectrical system
295 complaintsElectronic stability control
227 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsExterior lighting
194 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsEngine
115 complaintsOther or unknown
87 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsWheels
33 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 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