2018 Chevrolet Malibu Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 2%of 700 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,494miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 700 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,494 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving home after work on a gravel road, the road pulled me into a ditch where I then impacted on a concrete slab but none of my airbags went off leaving me vulnerable to life sustaining injuries. I ended up with broken ribs and bruises all over because my airbags did not go off in my car accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11252465, filed 2019-08, 9,500 miles“Had a car accident on september 17, 2019 my car stalled while making left turn had this problem since I purchased this car also my tires continued to go on flat”
NHTSA complaint #11281925, filed 2019-11, 40 miles“Hit deer driving highway speed, drivers side. Damage to headlight, blinker, grill, bumper and side panel. Was called by onstar due to airbag being deployed. However, airbag did not deploy. There was a burning odor in car for short period of time after incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11039284, filed 2017-10, 800 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side air bag in the steering wheel had fractured near the lower part of the steering wheel. The contact contacted the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer with assistance to have the air bag replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. A case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 63,250.”
NHTSA complaint #11483964, filed 2022-09, 63,250 miles“The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving down the road at 35 MPH, he switched lanes into a blind spot and was t-boned by another vehicle traveling at the same speed. The contact stated the impact occurred on the driver's side, left front, and passenger doors, which caused the vehicle to spin out. The contact stated the passenger side then struck a light pole during the spin. The contact stated the driver's side windows were broken, and the entire passenger side of the vehicle was smashed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11726975, filed 2026-03, 168,000 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
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 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
281 complaintsElectrical system
192 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
171 complaintsOther or unknown
153 complaintsVehicle speed control
114 complaintsFuel system
101 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsElectronic stability control
21 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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