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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

11 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

11
Complaints
1
Recalls
8
Crashes
Mar 2026Nov 2019
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Airbags Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #18V400000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.

Owner Complaints (11)

criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2026

Your car was involved in a serious crash—hit on the driver's side at 35 MPH, then spun and hit a pole on the passenger side. Despite the severe damage to windows and the entire passenger side being smashed, none of the airbags deployed. No warning lights appeared before or during the crashes. The vehicle was declared a total loss.

NHTSA #: 11726975
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jul 2023

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after her husband entered traffic at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was struck on the front driver's side by another vehicle at 45 MPH. The air bags did not deploy as a result of the collision.

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NHTSA #: 11530447
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2022

This vehicle was involved in a crash on the driver side door and now the problem is with the airbag pop up and the HAVC isn’t wanting to work either.

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NHTSA #: 11473516
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2021

I was at a red light and out of no where the Air bags on the driver side deployed, there was a passenger thanks god they did not go out.

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NHTSA #: 11437304
criticalAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: May 2021

The contact owned a 2018 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front end of the vehicle. During the crash the top section of the front passenger side seat belt malfunctioned and did not secure the passenger causing the passenger to make contact with the front windshield.

NHTSA #: 11417721
criticalAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Nov 2019

Had a car accident on september 17, 2019 my car stalled while making left turn had this problem since I purchased this car also my tires continued to go on flat

NHTSA #: 11281925
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2019

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet malibu. While driving 25 MPH, another vehicle unexpectedly turned left and caused the contact to crash into the front driver's side door of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.

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NHTSA #: 11267339
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 2019

I was driving home after work on a gravel road, the road pulled me into a ditch where I then impacted on a concrete slab but none of my airbags went off leaving me vulnerable to life sustaining injuries. I ended up with broken ribs and bruises all over because my airbags did not go off in my car accident.

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NHTSA #: 11252465
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Sep 2018

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet malibu. While driving 4 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the driver's side. The air bags failed to deploy.

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NHTSA #: 11124289
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2017

Hit deer driving highway speed, drivers side. Damage to headlight, blinker, grill, bumper and side panel. Was called by onstar due to airbag being deployed.

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NHTSA #: 11039284
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side air bag in the steering wheel had fractured near the lower part of the steering wheel. The contact contacted the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer with assistance to have the air bag replaced.

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NHTSA #: 11483964

Other 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Issues