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Air bagsPart report

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems

Complaints
59about this part
Share
7%of 837 total for the year
Median mileage
74,863miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 7% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,863 miles. 13 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.

“On most of the 2013 chevy Malibu the air bag has been recalled my car has had the airbag warning light on since I purchased my 2013. I don't feel safe and when I called chevy directly they told me to just keep checking my VIN # should be on the recall for the air bag soon. It's still not showing up. I keep getting a warning low engine power, some one said don't drive a car that says this.”

NHTSA complaint #11376790, filed 2020-11, 102,000 miles

“My battery completely died and I needed a jump. The jump ended up not working so I purchased a new battery. Now the airbag light is on and will not go off. After researching this problem I see that this is a known issue and still no recall on this problem. I have a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu eco. The forums are saying it's a problem with the sdm component. Codes b101d-00(electronic control unit hardware) and u0184-00(lost communication with radio).”

NHTSA complaint #11269828, filed 2019-10, 52,000 miles

“I swerved and hit braks hard to miss deer went on to shoulder of road I was the only person in my car and both curtain airbags depolyed - my car is being deemed totaled because of the exstensive airbag damage to inside.”

NHTSA complaint #11118332, filed 2018-08, 89,000 miles

“Had an accident on 5/24/2018 it was a head on collision where the at fault driver broke the light and ran in yo my car the air bag did not deploy I sustained a fractured ankle and a neck injury due to the accident”

NHTSA complaint #11113940, filed 2018-07, 140,000 miles

“The passenger airbag sensor has gone bad making it extremely dangerous to drive with a passenger in my vehicle because anything electronic on the dash will turn off, as well as the A/C and radio etc. This is an extreme safety hazard. I've seem numerous complaints about this airbag sensor issues yet everytime I've checked, there is no recall for this problem. The sensor randomly went out when the car was hardly 3 years old, that is not normal. I don't understand why GM has not done a recall for this. This could result in dangerous accidents or death of a passenger.”

NHTSA complaint #11353151, filed 2020-09, 40,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023811%
202244%
202167%
202042%
201963%
2018142%
2017142%
2016182%
20154918%
2014165%
2013597%
201210111%
20119310%
201014411%
2009634%
2008646%
2007758%
2006343%
2005253%
2004262%
2003275%
2002183%
2001213%
2000313%
1999405%
1998404%
1997256%

Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Electrical system
376 complaints
Engine
204 complaints
Steering
181 complaints
Other or unknown
89 complaints
Electronic stability control
72 complaints
Suspension
65 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
54 complaints
Brakes
46 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Exterior lighting
28 complaints
Vehicle speed control
28 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 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