Problems · by component

2004 Chevrolet Malibu air bags problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu cite air bags, 3% of all 1,698 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
43
3% of all complaints
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [XXX] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2024Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11579145
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that after he turned off and restarted the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Bruce’s auto body shop where it was diagnosed that the air bag side impact sensor failed to reset and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified by the dealer and the contact was informed that the parts were no longer being manufactured and was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2023Air bagsODI 11523825
“THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS IN CITY SETTING. STEERING WHEEL TURNED BUT WHEELS DID NOT. FELT A JUMPING IN THE WHEEL. GEARS IN RACK WERE STRIPPED WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN. STEERING WHEEL SPUN 3/4 AND RUINED AIR BAG AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. IVE HAD TO GET A NEW RACK AND PINION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2019Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11209704
“I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A CAR GOING 15-20 MPH (THE AT-FAULT DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED BY THEIR PHONE). I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND HAD A BUMP OVER MY LEFT EYE FROM HITTING SOMETHING. I HAD A CONCUSSION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICY REPORT WAS FILED. I STILL SUFFER MID AND LOWER BACK PAIN (DISC BULGES AND FISSURES). AFTER THE WRECK, I STARTED TO GET A WARNING ABOUT NEEDING TO SERVICE THE AIRBAGS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11192055
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE RACK. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ELM CHEVROLET (301 E. CHURCH ST, ELMIRA, NY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2019Steering, Air bagsODI 11172836
“TAKATA RECALL. MY RADIO STARTED DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE AND MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE WIRING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING. I BEGAN TO REPLACE LIGHTBULBS THINKING THEY WERE BLOWN BUT JUST WILL NOT WORK. HEARD THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THESE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING VERY SHARP. SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE IS BROKEN KNOCKING AROUND”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11162446

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.