2015 Chevrolet Malibu air bags problems
49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu — 18% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I was t-boned on the front side panel near the door at a high rate of speed. I would estimate well above the posted limit of 35 mph and my front and side airbags failed to deploy. I have video from the intersection and dash cam demonstrating the impact. My head hit off the steering wheel causing a…”
filed Jul 22, 2026
“Air bag light is on dashboard and my driver seat won’t recline back up to a normal driving position. Brought it to the mechanic to have it checked and was told I am in need of a new driver seat do to a faulty airbag. The car is not even 10 years old yet and I can’t use the seat properly to drive…”
filed Oct 9, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture…Campaign 15V666000 · Oct 16, 2015
Air Bags problems in other Malibu years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Malibu | 6 | 11% |
| 2022 Malibu | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 Malibu | 5 | 6% |
| 2020 Malibu | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 Malibu | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 Malibu | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 Malibu | 14 | 2% |
| 2016 Malibu | 17 | 2% |
| 2014 Malibu | 16 | 5% |
| 2013 Malibu | 59 | 7% |
| 2012 Malibu | 101 | 11% |
| 2011 Malibu | 93 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.