2009 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

The contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver's side curtain air bag erroneously deployed and struck the left side of the contact's head. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road. No warning light was illuminated before or after the failure. Police Officers arrived at the scene, but no police report was filed. The contact sustained a headache and a partial left-ear hearing loss. The contact received a paramedic evaluation. The following day, the contact was taken to the Emergency Room, where it was confirmed that the contact had not sustained a concussion. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a field inspector would be sent to investigate the failure; however, the contact was later informed that the case was closed because the root cause of the air bags deployment could not be determined upon inspection. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11744780

Incident

Oct 28, 2025

Mileage

68,000 mi

I brought car told dealer of air bag light on to service and tire monitor light I had my steering lock and ESC light on dealership did nothing to comply to safety of this called don't return calls

NHTSA ID

11573159

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel seized and failed to operate as needed. The contact aggressively maneuvered the steering wheel to regain normal functionality. The air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,553.

NHTSA ID

11545973

Incident

May 22, 2023

Mileage

184,553 mi

well it all started at one, i fixed the electrical myself after inspecting 6 months worth of it sitting , finally found electrical problems that i got it running afterwords 2 fuel pumps later knowing pumps werent the issue then, now I almost have it paid off, its really began to just be a piece of junk after dearly taking care of it when i bought the car I loved it, now I found on it, no steering, comes and goes, like I know how to put a steering asst. in... i pulled one from the J yard, its in the backseat now, airbags indicator saying it needs servicing, tires I bought brand new last summer, they are baby butt smooth now, the car cant even squeal the tires so whatever on that, 5 days ago I threw a new alternator in it, similar to every alternator when they go it was normal... no problem, now I'm pooped out, I want the problems fixed so when its paid off in April I can sell it legally without anyone getting hurt, also the value is poor, not even close to what you value it as on here. [XXX] if I didn't spend more on costs on parts, repair, labor (thankfully I know wyf I'm doing when I work on a GM) it would be more than the car loan I took out on the junk on October 19th 2019. I think somebody is responsible in repairing these issues as I knew nothing about the problems gm had when buying this vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11453058

Incident

Sep 4, 2021

Bad oss says it doesnt detect occupants in front seat

NHTSA ID

11452151

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

As I drive on highway and go a certain speed it slows down and engine power reduced and service traction pops up on my dashboard if cut it off it will not crank back up until I let the car cool down

NHTSA ID

11435159

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

POWER STEERING FLASHES ON DASH BOARD AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. I THEN HAVE TO USE MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN. SOMETIMES THIS GOES AWAY AND IT DRIVES FINE. I'VE EXPERIENCED IT SHUTTING DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGH WAY AND THIS CANNOT BE SAFE! AFTER RESEARCHING RECALLS, IT APPEARS I AM EXPERIENCING THE DETAILS OF THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS BELOW 150,000 MILES. IT ALSO RANDOMLY WILL FLASH 'SERVICE AIR BAG'.

NHTSA ID

11397061

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

Mileage

149,000 mi

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T ACTIVATE WHEN SOMEONE IS SETTING IN IT STATIONARY AND MOVING

NHTSA ID

11394991

Incident

Nov 26, 2020

THE TRACTION LIGHT KEEPS COME ON WHEN CRANKING UP CAR.I THEN RECEIVED THE MESSAGE ESC OFF AND SERVICE POWER STEERING.HAVE HAD THUS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. HAD VECHILE CHECKED AT CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORCH SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11321878

Incident

Apr 7, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REALLY HARD TO STEER

NHTSA ID

11296744

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, HIT A CAR IN THE REAR.. THE BAGS WENT OFF, BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY THE BAGS... THE SMELL WAS THERE, OF SOME KIND OF GUN POWDER SMELL... BUT NO AIRBAGS...

NHTSA ID

11288062

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR MULTIPLE "RECALL FIXES", FOR ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING ISSUES. THE REGISTRY SHOWS THAT ALL RECALLS WERE FIXED (PURELY COSMETIC WORK) WITH REGARDS TO THE VEHICLES LIGHTS BEING REPLACED (RECEIVED FIX IT TICKETS BY THE AUTHORITIES). BUT MY CAR DIDN'T BURN OUT LIGHTS, SHE MELTED THEM, WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED, HER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRIED THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE CAR'S COMPUTER (BRAIN). REPAIRS WERE MADE IN 2014 WHEN I RETURNED FROM OVERSEAS, AND SHE WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEN STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN IN 2015 AND 2016. I WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIPS AND THEY FIXED THE MINOR ISSUES. NOW IN 2019 THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SHORTING OUT AGAIN STATING THAT THE ENGINE IS WORKING AT DECREASED POWER AND MY CAR IS DRAINING HER OWN BATTERY AND LOCKING UP. I BOUGHT HER USED BACK IN 2009, AND EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS OR YEARS THERE IS AN ELECTRONICS MALFUNCTION AND I'VE HAD SUCH HORRIBLE LUCK FINDING A TRUSTWORTHY DEALERSHIP TO TAKE HER TO FOR REPAIRS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. SHE STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHERE SHE'LL BURN OUT OR MELT A COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE. SHE JUST STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN AND WHEN I INSPECTED THE BATTERY, SHE HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING UNIT.

NHTSA ID

11258890

Incident

Sep 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CREWS CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 8199 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 535-5266) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN WEEKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER AUTHORIZED A REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,643.

NHTSA ID

11245837

Incident

Mar 9, 2019

Mileage

129,643 mi

TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SUNKEN IN TO THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

11231757

Incident

Jul 14, 2019

Mileage

182,000 mi

TRAVELING EAST TURNING LEFT GOING 17 MPH, STRUCK BY A VAN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 50 HEAD ON, DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT. PASSENGER IS 5'4' AND 120 LBS

NHTSA ID

11195919

Incident

Jan 29, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK SOUTH BOUND ON 1 ST AVENUE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TURN FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME TO HEAD WEST BOUND WHEN WE IMPACTED MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AT ALL MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW VERY HARD AND DEFLECTED OFF AND CONTINUED TO THE HIT THE FRONT WINDOW THEN AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED AFTER TO THROW BE BACK INTO MY SEAT AFTER.

NHTSA ID

11165755

Incident

Nov 2, 2017

Mileage

115,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON SOMETHING WITH THE STEERING, WHEELS, DRIVETRAIN, AND POSSIBLY BCM. A LOT OF VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AND BRAKING. BECOMING SUCH AN ISSUE TO THE POINT I FEAR TO HAVE MY 11 MONTH OLD CHILD IN IT.

NHTSA ID

11157045

Incident

Mar 2, 2018

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS BLOWN TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER RETRACTS.

NHTSA ID

11141851

Incident

Aug 3, 2018

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURES RESULTING IN LOSS OF AIRBAG SYSTEMS, THE ENGINE NOT SHUTTING OFF WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED, THE BATTERY DYING, A BRAND NEW BATTERY STARTED SMOKING AND LEAKING ACID DUE TO A 3RD FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE ISSUE CAN BE SPOTTY BUT INDEFINITELY BECOMES MORE PREVALENT AS WHATEVER SHORT IN THE SWITCH GETS WORSE. THIS IS ALSO ACROSS MULTIPLE SWITCH MANUFACTURERS INCLUDING BWD, AC DELCO AND BMG. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MAY REMAIN ON EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE OFF AND, THE BATTERY DRAINAGE IS MUCH MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE AIRBAG STAYS EITHER IN THE ON OR OFF POSITION WITH THE VEHICLE OFF. THE OTHER ISSUE THIS CAUSES IS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY GO OFF LINE IN WHICH CASE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF BUT THIS USUALLY RESOLVES ITSELF AFTER 2 TO 10 STARTS.

NHTSA ID

11132396

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

153,000 mi

MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF

NHTSA ID

11123886

Incident

Aug 31, 2018

Mileage

13,000 mi

PASSENGER AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN THIS IS NOTED BY THE VEHICLE'S SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA ID

11093411

Incident

May 7, 2018

Mileage

44,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11064228

Incident

Dec 2, 2017

ON FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THUNDERBIRD ROAD AND 84TH AVENUE IN PEORIA, ARIZONA WHILE OPERATING MY WHITE IN COLOR 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT FORTY MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A LOUD BANG, SAW A FLASH OF LIGHT AND SMELLED A FIRE. INSTANTLY, SHRAPNEL FLEW THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND MY SEATBELT TIGHTENED. THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT WAS HAVE I BEEN SHOT OR IS MY CAR ON FIRE? I IMMEDIATELY LOST MY HEARING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND HAD PAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CHEST. MY PASSENGER CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. THE AIRBAG FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. (PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHED) I WAS IN SHOCK, I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS HURT OR WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS RIGHT NEAR MY HOME AND THE CAR COULD STILL DRIVE, SO I WENT THE COUPLE OF BLOCKS HOME. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND CAREFULLY TOOK OFF MY SEATBELT. I WENT INSIDE TO THE MIRROR TO EXAMINE MY BODY, TO SEE HOW HURT I WAS. I WASN'T BLEEDING, BUT IT FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN BURNED, MY CHEST WAS STINGING AND I HAD BURNS AND WELTS ON MY CHEST THAT WERE APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES IN LENGTH AND TWO INCHES WIDE. I WAS VERY CONCERNED SO I THEN TOOK A SHOWER TO WASH THE CHEMICALS AND WHATEVER HAD FLOWN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE OFF OF MY BODY. (PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHED) **TIME SENSITIVE - I NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO BY DECEMBER 14TH-

NHTSA ID

11054292

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, A FEDEX TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *BF UPDATED 8/20/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11045797

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

31,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (POWER CHEVROLET ARROWHEAD, 9055 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 5911664. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH RENITA JACKSON AT 866-446-6963 (CLAIM NUMBER: 866407). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *LN UPDATED 9/13/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11040588

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

62,000 mi