Problems · by component

2010 Chevrolet Malibu air bags problems

145 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu cite air bags, 11% of all 1,365 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
145
11% of all complaints
Crashes
26
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
31
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was driving down the highway when the passenger side curtain airbags deployed for no reason. Air bag deployment stunned the driver, but fortunately did not cause accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2025Air bagsODI 11660211
“Connector for airbags sensor wiring has a problem which is address in General Motors document Recall 13040A Dated April 2014. There is a warning on the dash about the airbags not operational. We have never been contacted by General Motors about this problem, but other Chevrolet Malibu owners are have the same problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2024Air bagsODI 11626955
“My airbag light just recently came on driver frontal airbag may explode NHTSA-19001900 Power steering NHTSA- 14E044000 u joint premature failure Electrical system all out of wack NHSTA-14V252000 bcm resistance result in voltage fluctuations in brake Power train- NHTSA 12V460000 4 speed automatic transmission the tabs on transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11562183
“I was driving down the road after I bought the car and the steering suddenly went out the DIC said "service esc" and "service traction" and I could barely move the steering wheel I was lucky to be on a country road because if I was on the highway I could have lost complete control and caused an accident I took it to a mechanic and they said "the dielectric grease in the bcm connector wore out" when I googled it I saw there was a recall but when I contacted the dealer they said there was nothing they could do for me. this is very concerning as who knows how many malibus steering could randomly go out over such a stupid problem i could be available if you would like to inspect the car/systems”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11528235
“First off the power steering goes out and can only be fixed by applying dielectric grease to the bcm but that will fix it. second the airbag light will randomly go on but this can also be remedy by fixing the yellow connection under the passenger seat try jiggling it if that doesnt fix it just cut the two wires off the connector's and splice with crimp connectors. hope this helps you as much as it did me :)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11517767
“Was driving down highway at approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour when my drivers side window airbag and seat airbag deployed. It hit my face shoulder and arm. There was no collision and I was able to keep control of the vehicle for the most part. I swerved a little but regained control quickly. My seat belt is locked and is no longer usable”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2023Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11516208

Showing 6 of 145 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2019NHTSA 19V019000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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