2003 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on

NHTSA ID

11516292

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

MY DAUGHTER GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO MAGUIRE CHEVROLET 2073 ROUTE 96 IN TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 (607)-387-6111 (THIS DEALER WAS PRINTED ON THE RECALL CARD) IN AUGUST TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. SOMEONE AT THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I FOUND IT FISHY AT THE TIME. WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER ONE. SO, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE. THERE IS INDEED A RECALL, AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS. IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDSON, IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MAGUIRE CHEVROLET WERE TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY A DEALERSHIP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

11374734

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING 25 TO 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND REAR ENDED A CAR IN TRAFFIC THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

11348773

Incident

Aug 11, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF THERE IS NO CAR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. ONCE WHEN THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AT ATOP LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MILES AND HOUR. THE OTHER TIME IT HAPPENED JUST WHEN I WAS STARTING THE CAR. I

NHTSA ID

10863384

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND GM SAYS DUE TO AIR BAGS IMPLODING CONSUMER HAD POWER. CONSUMER WAS BEHIND THE STEERING AND IT LOCKED NO BRAKES. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10837823

Incident

Feb 15, 2014

Mileage

133,200 mi

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, STEERING AND AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 19, 2011. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHICH SENT THE VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE HITTING ANOTHER CAR. HER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ENDED UP GOING BACKWARDS INTO A SIGN AND THEN HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER SHE HIT THE SIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH. SHE STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL KEYS ON HER RING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10701585

Incident

May 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REMEDY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10641701

Incident

Aug 29, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER A HEAD ON COLLISION. AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID

10610505

Incident

Jul 11, 2014

Mileage

111,000 mi

I WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY PATH CAUSING ME TO HIT THEM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I TOOK THE FULL FORCE OF THE COLLISION INTO MY CHEST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610362

Incident

Jun 7, 2013

Mileage

145,000 mi

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GIVING ME PROBLEMS. JUST TOOK IT IN TO MY CAR REPAIR THEY SAID NOW ITS SHOWS AIR BAG ERROR ALSO. THEY WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES! NOW THE AIR BAGS PROBABLY WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED. I WANT THIS FIXED ON THE IGNITION RECALL. EVERY TIME I PULL UP TO MY HOME AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR I AM JUST WAITING FOR IT TO START ON FIRE AS NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK LIKE IT SHOULD. *JS

NHTSA ID

10608864

Incident

May 15, 2014

Mileage

66,237 mi

CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CRASHED INTO A STRAWBERRY FIELD AND ROLLED MULTIPLE TIME EJECTING DRIVER FROM THE CAR. CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PASSENGER MAY HAVE GRABBED AT STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10605231

Incident

May 21, 2011

Mileage

160,000 mi

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SNOWY/ICY ROAD WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT ABOUT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS UNTIL TRAVELING INTO A DITCH AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND PUSHED THE MOTOR BACK A GOOD 2 FEET. MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE IMPACT OF THE FRONT END WAS JUST A LITTLE OFF CENTER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558124

Incident

Dec 15, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER AND BOUNCED OFF ONLY TO BE STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE REAR. THE FRONT AND REAR QUARTER PANELS WERE DAMAGED THE FRAME WAS COMPROMISED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BACK, ARM, LEG & KNEE INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I AM STILL CURIOUS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SAFETY AIR BAGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485916

Incident

Oct 31, 2012

Mileage

123,000 mi

MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS 'OFF' EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL BUT NOT ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2008 MODEL. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10465301

Incident

Jul 2, 2012

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR CUTS AND BURNS AS A RESULT AND HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID

10418167

Incident

Aug 8, 2011

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON MAY 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE OUT OF TRAFFIC. SHE COULD NOT FEEL THE BRAKES WORKING AND SPED THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HEADLAMP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY STATING THAT DUE TO THE BODY WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE ACCELERATION FAILURE, ONLY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS A BACK INJURY THAT WAS AGGRAVATED DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

NHTSA ID

10230863

Incident

May 25, 2008

Mileage

24,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU SEDAN, AND THE ALARM/HORN HAS A DEFECT. LAST YEAR WE HAD A HIGH POWER WIND STORM AND MY ALARM BLEW FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES (2 HORNS). THEY FINALLY DIED DOWN BY THEMSELVES. MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HIGH WINDS. I HAD TO TAKE FUSE #43 OUT TO MAKE THE HORN STOP BLOWING EVERY TIME I STARTED MY CAR. MY CAR NEED TO PASS INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO CHARGE ME $95.00 AN HOUR, TO DO AN EXPLORATORY DEAL ON THE CAR, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER CAR REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THE COST WOULD BE $900.00, BUT COULD NOT JUSTIFY, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THEY STATED IT COULD BE THE TURN SIGNAL OR IT COULD BE THE FUSE UNDER MY AIR BAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NO ONE CAN ACTUALLY EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DO NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY FOR EXPLORATORY EXAMINATIONS ON MY CAR. I AM QUITE SURE THE MANUFACTURER KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS MALIBU, AND CAN FIX IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS, I WAS NOT TOLD THE CAR HAD TWO RECALLS ON IT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS VERY WRONG, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASE THE CAR, IF I KNEW OF RECALL PROBLEMS. NOW I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT A HORN/ALARM SYSTEM. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO GO INTO MY STEERING WHEEL TO CHECK THE FUSE FOR $95.00 AN HOUR, MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10205296

Incident

Mar 9, 2006

MY HORN WENT OUT ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG MODULE...I DON'T HAVE A HORN AND MY CAR FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION, I DO NOT HAVE THE 1100.00 TO FIX IT, THE DEALER TOLD ME TO CONTACT GM TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10175529

Incident

Dec 4, 2006

Mileage

30,000 mi

DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG EQUIPMENT IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU STATING IT HAS A 1998 MALIBU AIR BAG SYSTEM.*MR SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD A FACTORY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, SO HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS FROM A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE OLD CAR PARTS IN A NEWER MODEL CAR.*SB *NM

NHTSA ID

10125849

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE PIT PARTS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIR BAG. *JB

NHTSA ID

10109453

Incident

Jan 3, 2005

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET, MALIBU ON DEC.26, 2004 AND MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID

10104844

Incident

Dec 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, LEAVING SKID MARKS IN THE PARKING SPACE WHERE SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK. THEN, VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID

10099574

Incident

Nov 3, 2004

Mileage

4,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, AND WERE AIR LIFTED BY A HELICOPTER TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10097546

Incident

Oct 22, 2004

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. GM WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10081876

Incident

Jul 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10040070

Incident

Sep 4, 2003