2012 Chevrolet Malibu Air Bags
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TAKATA RECALL- SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY, 12 ON HWY 40 IN ST. LOUIS MO. BOTH OFFICERS ON THE SCENE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HWY, I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN, I WAS THE LAST CAR OF 4 CARS .
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ON A CITY STREET. 2003 FORD PICKUP PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR. WE HIT DRIVERS FRONT FENDER. OUR CAR VEERED OFF OF TRUCK ROLLING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE UPRIGHTING BACK ONTO WHEELS AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A BARRIER FENCE WHILE CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE FOUR LANE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COIL FAILED. UPDATED 08/10/16.*JB
AIRBAG READINESS ERROR B0014 INDICATOR COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. IT BEEPS 3 TIMES AND THE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR ON SEATBELT TENSIONERS AND AIRBAG SYSTEM. RECORDS AVAILABLE IN CHEVY MAINTENANCE HISTORY.
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER INFORMED HER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
AIRBAG SENSOR GOES OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY WIRING. THIS POSES A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIRBAG CLAIMING IT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS MY FAULT AND THAT I SHOULD ABSORB THE COST TO REPAIR IT. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS HOWEVER, IN THE EVENT THAT ONE SHOULD OCCUR; THE CHANCES OF THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ARE SLIM TO NIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER AND AN UNKNOWN CONNECTOR UNDER THE VEHICLE SEAT HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,490.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,920.
DRIVING TO WORK,SUDDENLY HAD TO APPLY BRAKES HARD TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR .AFTER CAR CAME TO A STOP ,AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT CAM ON. LIGHT STAYED UNTIL NEXT DAY THEN WENT OUT.NOW LIGHT COME ON AT REGULAR INTERVALS .ALSO HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING, SEEMED LIKE TO A LOT OF PRESSURE ,A GREAT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE,I DID NOT THINK CAR WAS GOING TO STOP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
MY SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE KEEPS POPPING UP OFF AND ON. IT HAS FOR WEEKS NOW? IT SEEMS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES? I HAVE KEPT MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AS I SHOULD HOWEVER THINGS LIKE THIS KEEP HAPPENING! NOT TO MENTION THE BUZZING NOISE I BEGAN HEARING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT BUT YOU ALL CLAIMED YOU COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DISCOURAGING! PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW THESE ISSUES CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE! THANK YOU. *TR
THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON AND OFF, AND TO BE HONEST IT MAKES ME A LITTLE WORRIED. ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE RECALLS GOING ON. IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR 5-30 MIN AND GO OFF AND SO ON. WE HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AS WELL AND STILL HAVE. VERY UNHAPPY WITH IT. WILL BE HAPPY FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *TR
REPAIR AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TURNING CAR ON. THE LIGHT BEEPS MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. *TR
PURCHASED CAR IN SAC 7/29/14.DIDN'T USE FOR 5 DAYS-OUT OF TOWN. UPON RETURN, CAR STRUGGLED TO START. TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC- BATTERY LOW. HERTZ SALES REPLACED AT NO COST. DAUGHTER/DRIVER THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. ON(8/5),SON, 5'9",125LBS. IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT GO ON. CAR ON WHEN HE GOT IN. TURNED OFF CAR, GOT IN,RESTARTED BUT STILL DIDN'T REGISTER HIM. WENT FROM OFF-ON-OFF. ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT AIRBAG LIGHT DIDN'T GO ON. SON RODE IN BACK.WHEN DROPPED OFF CAR TO HAVE BATTERY REPLACED, TOLD SALESMAN RE:AIRBAG LIGHT.WE HAD EXPERIENCED SAME AIRBAG ISSUE IN ANOTHER MALIBU WHEN SHOPPING @DEALERSHIP IN SANTA CLARA& THEREFORE DIDN'T PURCHASE THAT CAR. PICKED UP CAR AFTER BATTERY REPLACED.SALESMAN TESTED SENSOR.DETECTED HIS PRESENCE WHEN SEATED AFTER ABOUT 15SEC.TESTED BY LEANING/PUSHING ON SEAT-SOMETIMES LIGHT WENT ON&SOMETIMES NOT (PRESUMABLY NOT ENOUGH WEIGHT TO TRIGGER IT).WAS TOLD IF HAD THIS PROBLEM AGAIN-BRING BACK&WOULD BE SENT TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED.THOUGHT PERHAPS AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE RELATED TO A LOW BATTERY.NO ISSUE FIRST FEW DAYS WHEN SON SAT IN FRONT.BUT HAVE SENSOR PROBLEM AGAIN.ONCE MORE,SON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT&THE AIRBAG SENSOR DID NOT DETECT HIM.SAT IN BACK AGAIN BC DIDN'T WANT TO RISK AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IF ACCIDENT.DID INTERNET SEARCH-LEARNED RECALL ISSUED ON 5-14-14 FOR OTHER ISSUES.NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE DOCUMENTED ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE.FOUND ARTICLE THAT SAID SOME 2012 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED FOR AN AIR BAG SENSOR ISSUE (RECALL #12V224000)BUT OTHER SEARCHES,SAY FOR 2013 MALIBUS?OUR TEENS USE THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL.SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY.THE RISK FOR GREAT HARM IS UNNERVING.HAVE FILED REPORT WITH GM/CHEVY&GOT REF#.SAID DEALER WILL FIX USING THAT REFERENCE NUMBER.I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE HERTZ SALES DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR&AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM AS TO WHAT ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE NEXT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE SUFFERED A SEIZURE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE BEFORE LANDING IN A CREEK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
IN MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DOES RECOGNIZE SHE IS THERE. YOU CAN WATCH AS THE SYSTEM GOES THROUGH IT'S START UP PROCESS WITH THE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT CYCLING FROM OFF TO ON AND BACK TO OFF. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS HOW MY WIFE SITS IN THE SEAT BUT I HAVE VIDEO OF HER SITTING WITH HER FEET ON THE DASH (WHICH IS NOT AN "APPROVED" SEATING POSITION) AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOWS THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ARMED. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE WE HAVE DRIVEN. MY WIFE WEIGHS 145 SO IT IS NOT THAT SHE IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE SENSOR. THE OTHER DAY I WAS AT A GM DEALER AND FOUND A USED 2012 MALIBU WITH THE SAME TRIM PACKAGE AS MINE AND WE TESTED IT TO SEE IF THAT CAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING AS MINE. IT DID ON THE FIRST TIME WE TURNED THE KEY, I HAVE VIDEO OF THAT FAILURE. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM EXCEPT IN BOTH 2012 MALIBU'S. ON MY CAR THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND A SEAT FROM ANOTHER MALIBU WAS INSTALLED AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM STILL FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE GM ENGINEER SAID HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN OTHER VIDEOS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE OVER 20 VIDEOS SHOWING THE SYSTEM WORK AND THE SYSTEM FAILING. THE VIN I LISTED IS FOR THE CAR ON THE DEALER LOT. *TR
HAD A BROADSIDE COLLISION WITH IMPACT TO SIDE OF MALIBU THAT DROVE DRIVERS DOOR INTO DRIVERS SEAT, PUSHING SEAT INTO CENTER CONSOLE. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY FROM THIS ACCIDENT! B POST WAS BENT INTO PASSENGER AREA ALSO. AGAIN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT! *TR
ON MAY 30, 2013, I NOTICED THAT THE ON LIGHT FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR 2012 CHEVROLET MALLIBU. I AM 66 INCHES TALL AND WEIGH OVER 100 POUNDS. I AM AN OLDER ADULT - NOT A CHILD. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK THE MALIBU TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN MERRIAM, KANSAS WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT WE SHOULD TURN THE AIRBAG ON. I WASN'T PRESENT AT THE SERVICE DESK TO EXPLAIN THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT COME ON NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUSHED THE ON AND OFF BUTTON WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR. SOME TIME LATER, I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND HANDED ME OUR 17 POUND DOG. INSTANTLY THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE RETURNED TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET ON NOVEMBER 6, AND EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS WHEN I WAS HOLDING THE 17 POUND DOG. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS CONTROLLED BY A SENSOR THAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE REPAIR REPORT STATED, "CUST STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HIS WIFE SITTING IN SEAT TO ENGAGE AIRBAG - SHE WEIGHS 100 LBS. SCANNED SYSTEM. NO CODES PRESENT, CK FOR PROGRAMMING UPDATES. CURRENT. NO REPAIRS MADE OR ATTEMPTED. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG OPERATION OF (SIC) OCCUPANT IS LIGHTER THAN PRE DETERMINED LIMIT WITH IN THE CONTROL MODULE. OPERATING AS INTENDED AT THIS TIME." WE HAND DELVERED A LETTER TO THE HENDRICK SERVICE MANAGER STATING WE WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE. WE WANTED A WORKING PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG. I CAN HAVE A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT SIT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASH JUST CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $3000 TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY WILL NEED TO TAKE THE AIR BAG OUT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, I DID NOT HAVE A CRASH OR DID ANYONE HIT MY STEERING WHEEL. *TR
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AT RANDOM TIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED (BY SOMEONE >120 LBS) ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IF THE PASSENGER UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS FAILURE WHILE SITTING STILL AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SENSING SENSOR AND CONTROL MODULE. THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SITS WITH ONE LEG TUCKED UNDER THE OTHER THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE. NOT BUYING IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALWAYS FAIL LIKE THAT. WE HAVE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE ADVISER AND THE TECHNICIAN. I CAN GET THE SYSTEM TO RESET BY CYCLING THE KEY TO OFF AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE FIX JUST THE PATCH. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN USING THE REMOTE START AND THE PASSENGER GETS IN BEFORE THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM ABOUT THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 53 Air Bags complaints on file. 12 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.