10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
40,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #10

Dec 172019

Malibu

  • 83,501 miles
I was driving on a residential street and realized I was going the wrong way. I turned left to make a U-turn and drove onto the easement (dirt). When I turned the steering wheel to the left all the way, both airbags deployed. I was burned by the chemicals over the left side of my neck and chest, left ear and inside left wrist. I was traveling less than 5 mph while making this turn. The passenger airbag knocked my window camera off and broke it and sent part of a handheld fan clipped to the passengers visor, into my head and ended up in the backseat. I did not hit anything as it was just dirt.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #9

Feb 272015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
Swerved to avoid a deer and struck a guard rail, head on. Air bags didn't deploy and seat belt didn't lock up. Police, fire, ambulance and tow truck driver couldn't believe the bags and seat belt failed. Daughter was driving and receive a concussion, a V shape cut in scalp requiring 17 stitches to close and severe bruising all over. Police thinks her head struck the steering wheel or possibly the rear view mirror. Slack in seat belt allowed too much body movement and the air bags failure cause the head trauma. Entire front end of car is destroyed so sensors should have activate.

- Hastings, MI, USA

problem #8

Mar 312014

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the frame separated from the vehicle causing it to flip and crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained head and neck injuries which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Carthage, MS, USA

problem #7

Apr 212008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,000 miles
Sitting at a red light in a complete stopped position the car rolled forward with the brake still being depressed and completely went to the floor as I quickly tried to pump the brakes to stop and an oncoming vehicle struck me. Troopers and other personal checked my brakes at the time of the accident and said that there wasn't any brakes. No brake problems had been experienced prior to this. I was severely struck by the other vehicle which completely turned the direction of my vehicle and caused total damage resulting in a total loss. The impact was so hard, the other drive was cited for his high-speed hit to my vehicle. The airbags never deployed and is a great concern of mine at this point in time as well as the brake failure. I received notice in December 2007 from GM that there was a settlement of a pending district court case (delmas Ford, el al. V. General Motors corporation, case no. CJ-2002-424) which meant that my vehicle had to be sean by a authorized Chevy dealer to have the 1997 Chevy Malibu's sensing and diagnostic module reprogrammed. This referred to tsb #07-09-41-006 dated August 2007. I had the vehicle seen as soon as there was an open appointment on January 7, 2008 at randy marion Chevrolet Pontiac Buick. So, upon this accident today, I am without a vehicle due to brake failure after already have them replaced within the last four months as well as failure of the airbags to deploy. I am also contacting an attorney in regard to this matter. I understand there were other accidents involving this issue of the airbags deploying at odd times. After a notice of settlement of this case and having the vehicle airbags checked and fixed as indicated, I am a fearful and concerned consumer of this incident as I have total vehicle loss and sufficient damages. You would think that the airbags would definitely work.......they didn't deploy at all as well as the brakes letting go mid stoplight.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #6

Jun 262001

Malibu

  • miles
No summary.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #5

May 282002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
I have had to change the front disc brakes at least 5 times and the rotors twice in the 2 years since I have owned the vehicle. The air bag sensor has not been functional since 1 month after I bought the vehicle. It also has a problem with the ABS system, causing the brakes to wear so fast. I believe the system should be recalled due to safety issues. I have checked on the internet with other owners and most of them have the same issues with the brakes as I do.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #4

Jun 081997

Malibu

  • miles
Airbag derm module failed, disabling the airbag system. Dealer and Chevrolet determined failure was due to water in passenger compartment shorting out module. Dealer determined, and Chevrolet admitted, that water came in through holes in chassis opened up due to improper installation of patches at time of vehicle manufacture. Despite this, Chevrolet refused to pay for repair, due to vehicle being out of warranty. Fuel line break occured at highway speeds, spraying fuel over car exhaust system and trailing cars. Passing motorist motioned me to side of road, helping to prevent fire/explosion. Vehicle was repaired under warranty, but to the best of my knowledge, Chevrolet never notified NHTSA or investigated problem.

- Painesville, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 072000

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 142000

Malibu

  • miles
Premature airbag deployment with slight impact to front undercarriage.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 042000

Malibu

  • miles
Air bag light on control panel started blinking. I contacted the dealer. The service department checked it the following day. The mechanic thought I had been in a wreck because of the codes and behavior of the airbag system. I have not been in a wreck. Following is the tech comment: Scanned computer and found codes 18,24,25,26, and 71. Performed diagnostic tests and found vehicle to need a new pass side air bag and control module. (som). Vehicle may need more. He felt the driver's side airbag would give the same reading. I know I am slightly over my warranty, but this is for a safety part that has never been used. He stated that the ballpark figure of a replacement airbag and controller on the passenger side alone would near $1,200. This is totally ridiculous...more so, if the driver's side must have the same thing. What kind of assistance can you give me?

- Corryton, TN, USA