2012 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 11%of 907 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of the 907 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 28 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.
“Since buying this vehicle, I've had trouble with the brakes, airbag sensors, electrical problems, seatbelt issues and also the airbag light, had a mechanic replace the airbag sensors in the rear, but the light still comes on. The brakes are now shuttering worse when I apply the brakes and it feels like the wheels are going to fall apart.”
NHTSA complaint #11329120, filed 2020-06, 120,000 miles“My service air bag light comes on at like every 3-4 starts it will turn off after I turn the car off I would like to know if this is a recall that is covered I just took my car in because the ESC light was coming on and off and when it would come on I would lose steering I was once happy with my car but now I keep having all these light piping on and off”
NHTSA complaint #11180878, filed 2019-02, 120,000 miles“My power steering goes out randomly. I can be parked it goes out, I can have my foot on the brakibg while in drive , it goes out. I can be driving anywhere and it goes out. The air bag light comes on randomly. And then my ESC warning light comes on as well. In all of these instances it's all random when it happens.on 10/13/2018 m y power steering went out that is the most recent incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11140281, filed 2018-10, 135,000 miles“I turned my car on this morning after sitting all night and the dashboard said service air bag. It was humid and hot the past few days. I looked up issues with 2012 chevy Malibu's air bags, there are recalls for them but not for my VIN. My car has not been in any accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #11350874, filed 2020-08, 122,500 miles“Traveling at approximately 35mph on a city street. 2003 ford pickup pulled out in front of our car. We hit drivers front fender. Our car veered off of truck rolling onto drivers side uprighting back onto wheels and stopped when it hit a barrier fence while crossing three traffic lanes of the four lane road.”
NHTSA complaint #10885380, filed 2016-07, 53,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10234237Mar 24, 2023This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information…
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 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
291 complaintsExterior lighting
202 complaintsSteering
191 complaintsElectronic stability control
129 complaintsEngine
99 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsSeat belts
47 complaintsSeats
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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