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2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Mar 1, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
41%
of 44 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ANSWER THE PHONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,309.

NHTSA ID
11075636
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
113,309 mi
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed Jun 8, 2017

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. UNABLE TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. WENT TO DEALERERSHIP AND THEY STATED I NEEDED A PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND THE PRICE ON THE PART IS $1348.16. MY CAR HAS 216,000 MILES ON IT. STILL RUNS WELL AND HAS BEEN PAID OFF FOR YEARS.

NHTSA ID
10994067
Incident
Jun 8, 2017
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2016

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, A "SERVICE AIRBAG" MESSAGE HAS APPEARED ON DASH SCREEN AND AIRBAG TROUBLE LIGHT IS LIT INTERMITTENTLY. BY THE TIME I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THOSE TROUBLE INDICATORS ARE NO LONGER ACTIVATED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED SINCE THERE IS NO ACTIVE TROUBLE CODE, NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE HOT SUMMER SUN ALL DAY, BUT IT HAS OCCURRED UNDER OTHER CONDITIONS AS WELL. THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND WHILE IT HAS BEEN IN MOTION. HOPEFULLY, I'LL NEVER GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR AND FIND OUT THE AIRBAGS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY!

NHTSA ID
10892694
Incident
Aug 2, 2016
Mileage
159,330 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 25, 2016

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.... THEN WENT OFF. WENT TO DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO CODE TO DETECT PROBLEM. UNSURE IF ANY OF THE 8 AIR BAGS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE OPERATING PROPERLY. ON LINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU MAXX. UNSURE WHAT TO DO. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHERE IT COMES ON, STAYS ON, THEN DISAPPEARS. HOW WILL WE KNOW IF AIR BAGS WORK PROPERLY. TERRIFIED TO HAVE A ACCIDENT TO FIND OUT THEY DID NOT PERFORM. ALTHOUGH NO DEATHS MAY HAVE HAPPENED YET WITH THE MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND, I WONDER WHAT CAN WE DO?? DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE

NHTSA ID
10838164
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
Mileage
67,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 17, 2015

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE MAY 2007. IT HAD BEEN USED BY A PRECIOUS OWNER. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE SIGN "SERVICE AIR BAG" HAS BEEN LIGHTING UP SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN A PRIO ACCIDENT. I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS A FRAUDULENT SITUATION TAKING PLACE WHERE WRECKED VEHICLES ARE NOT REPLACED WITH THE PROPER AIR BAGS, BUT WITH OTHER ITEMS, SUCH AS SHOES, ETC. I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT BECAUSE MY SON IN LAW DID THIS. SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ID
10749241
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
17,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 23, 2015

AIRBAG TROUBLE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME, NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON, AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT COME ON WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. VERY CONCERNING AS I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE AIRBAGS OR NOT. SEEMS THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10735924
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
95,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER MODULE KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,100. UPDATED 7/14/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10714057
Incident
Apr 13, 2015
Mileage
74,100 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Feb 16, 2015

PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILURE R&R PPS MODULE W/SENSOR W/HEATED SEATS, (INCLUDES: CALIBRATION, R&I SEAT) PROGRAM PPS MODULE IS THIS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE? IS THEIR A RECALL SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED TO REPAIR THIS COMPONENT? *TR

NHTSA ID
10683621
Incident
Feb 13, 2015
Mileage
74,741 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2014

IN THE BEGINNING, THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. IF THERE WAS NOT A PERSON SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING WOULD COME ON AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD LIGHT ON THE DASH. IF THERE WAS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THERE WOULD BE NO WARNING OR LIGHT ON THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR WOULD SAY "ON". THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE OVER TIME AND NOW WHETHER THERE IS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT, THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING COMES ON ALONG WITH THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT. ALSO, NOW, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR STAYS ON "OFF". TSB 08-09-41-002E HAS BEEN CREATED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660827
Incident
Dec 6, 2013
Mileage
65,100 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 17, 2014

SERVICE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT NOT ALWAYS. LACK OF TRUST IN DEALERS INVESTIGATING AND MAKING THE REPAIRS IS AN ISSUE. I'M TOLD (BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE MANAGER) THAT IT WILL COST $80 JUST TO CHECK VIA COMPUTER WHAT THE CAUSE MAY BE. REPAIRS SUCH AS RE-COUPLING A LOOSE SENSOR CONNECTION BENEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE ($40) BUT REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS REPAIRS COULD RUN UPWARDS FROM $700. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648495
Incident
Sep 13, 2013
Mileage
96,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2014

I START MY CAR AND THE SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON AND SHOULD SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY STARTED BUT MY "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. ALSO WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG STAYS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639785
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 26, 2014
Fire reported

OCCUPANT AIR BAG SENSOR COME ON IN FIRE, NOW SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS A BURN HOLE IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT ..UPDATED 09-15-14-*BF UPDATED 2/23/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10628553
Incident
May 10, 2014
Mileage
83,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2013

THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" IS COMING ON AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS SHUTTING OFF. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID
10537949
Incident
May 29, 2013
Mileage
68,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2013

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS TURN OFF EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND IT DEACTIVATES AND ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN SERVICING SO I DON'T KNOW IF I ACTUALLY HAVE AIR BAGS WHEN PASSENGERS ARE PRESENT. I WAS TOLD THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAGS MAY BE BAD, SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535098
Incident
Jul 22, 2013
Mileage
106,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 2013

THE AIRBAG SENSOR COMES ON PERIODICALLY AND SAYS IT NEEDS SERVICED. I NEVER KNOW IF MY AIRBAG IS WORKING OR NOT. IT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10516176
Incident
Jun 13, 2012
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 7, 2011

FROM ABOUT 35000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON FROM TIME TO TIME. UNDER THE 3YEARS/36000MILES WARRANTY, DEALER JUST REZEROED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM. BUT IT CAN NOT PREVENT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FROM BEING ON AGAIN OCCASIONALLY. AT ABOUT 44000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIS TIME THE SAME DEALER (JAKE SWEENEY CHEVROLET) ASKED FOR A TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FOR $632. I THINK THE AIR BAG PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 07 MALIBU MAXX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10375078
Incident
May 18, 2010
Mileage
44,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2010

AIR BAG PRESENCE MODULE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT ESTIMATED COST $582.00. VEHICLE MILEAGE 36,522 IN/36,524 OUT FROM DEALERSHIP 3/5 AUGUST 2010. AIRBAG GOES OUT OF SERVICE WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT AND BUCKLED. WARRANTY 36,000 CHEVY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER AIRBAGS SYSTEM. 524 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. TOLD SHOULD HAVE HAD FORESIGHT TO TELL THE PART WAS GOING TO GO OUT PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION LIKE I DID FOR THE DASH RATTLES (FIXED AGAIN ON 5 AUG 2010). CONTACT CHEVY STATED VIA TELEPHONE (LEE) I WOULD BE CONTACTED WITHIN 24 HOURS REGARDING IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY EXCEPT FOR AN EMAIL FROM (LADY) STATING WE ARE FORWARDING YOU CONCERN. THE DEALER (WILKERSON CHEVY, 1301 DOUGLAS DRIVE, PO BOX 1088, SANFORD, NC 27331-1088, (919) 775-3421). I BELIEVE THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MS. SHELLY NICHOLS) HAS DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN DO WITHOUT CHEVY'S REPAIR AUTHORIZATION. REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS REPAIR ISSUE. WITH THIS VITAL PART OF THE SAFE SYSTEM OUT OF SERVICE IT RENDERS THE ATLEAST THE PASSENGER SEAT UNSAFE (1) AS A PASSENGER AND (2) AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER POTENTIALLY THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF FRONT END COLLISION HOWEVER , IT MAY ARM. THERE BY CREATING A SECOND HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347778
Incident
Aug 5, 2010
Mileage
36,325 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 15, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE AIRBAG MODULE LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN MADE REPAIRS TO THE MODULE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000.

NHTSA ID
10295855
Incident
Jun 11, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .