2016 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 2%of 841 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 841 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car all of sudden on freeway snatched back from doing 65 plus to freaking less than 30 miles instantly engine power reduced message appears and check engine light comes on. It continues to do this everyday my car will not drive over 30-35 MPH. I have two kids this is not safe. I travel! I take my car to penske Chevrolet of cerritos dealer and they claim its a accelerator pad sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11184582, filed 2019-03, 45,000 miles“When I put my car in park, on the dash board it say put car in park to turn off. When my car is in park. Also when I go to start my car it take a while for it to start. It will say serivce stablility. My air bag lights came on. I also have seen that alot of customers that has the same car is having the same problem”
NHTSA complaint #11127933, filed 2018-09, 45,000 miles“My car just stopped cranking and its like I have all the power turned off, I was in my yard. I thought it was the battery, changed it still no change. My airbag repair light keeps coming on and my car had been running fine all day fine until I parked it and everything stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #11253173, filed 2019-09, 10,523 miles“I seen the recall about the air bag on the passenger side of the front seat I'm having a issue like that what can be done to see if it's related to what y'all are recalling thanks and be side that it come on and off on it's own even when no one is seating there.”
NHTSA complaint #11138915, filed 2018-10, 20,000 miles“I was driving northbound on I-435 when avoiding an accident. I pressed my brake as hard as I could. My vehicle did not stop so to avoid causing a serious accident I went off road in the center of the two highways. After hitting the guardrail to stop my vehicle from falling inbetween the overpass. My airbags did not deploy . I feel some concern after having my breaks checked and told they were good. Then if I'm at stop and I release the break for my car to start back up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11241542, filed 2019-08, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V400000Jun 14, 2018General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2018
- 16V781000Oct 26, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2016
- 16V151000Mar 11, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2016
- 16V125000Mar 2, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2016, Colorado 2016, GMC Canyon 2016
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 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
304 complaintsElectrical system
222 complaintsOther or unknown
177 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
166 complaintsVehicle speed control
152 complaintsBrakes
104 complaintsElectronic stability control
76 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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