Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 1999 Chevy Malibu 3.1 V6 engine won,t turn on the engine whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the fuel pressure regulator won,t work whend i try to turn the ignition switch and key lock cylinder on and the airbag srs system comes on in the spring time and in the hot summer time heat and in the winner time.
Takara recall ..front and passenger airbags did not deploy in accident. I was stopped in traffic when a car struck me from behind going highway speed , impact caused the car to get stuck in my trunk pushed me down the highway sideways and stuffed the nose of my car into the guardrail breaking the guardrail , quick thinking saved our lives ( my husband was in the passenger seat )I saw the car coming full highway speed and nosed my car into the breakdown lane to avoid getting stuffed under the truck infront of me. The car was a complete loss, I ended up with a concussion, torn rotator cuff, fractures in my right arm and right knee, chronic headaches, and paranoia of driving.. Luckily no one was in the backseat because the rear seat broke from impact with the spare tire.
I was involved in a hit and run accident, which wasnt my fault. The car was hit on the passenger side causing the steering column to fall onto my lap.the air bags did not deplore, I suffered a fractured pelvis which did not heal correctly. Im still having problems from this . The car was totaled.
This vehicle has had several problems I'll try to list.the airbags did not deploy they had been replaced when they fixed the horn problems.completely dissatisfied with my vehicle.I'm not sure if vehicle will be totaled since the accident was 9/6/01. I believe at the very least the airbags should have deployed.I don't know who to complain to.I've replaced rear brakes and rotors,altenator,water pump,battery,horn contact replaced twice at same time had to replace air bag due to sensor behind airbag,interior door panel replaced bracket broken,oil light continued to come on often even though service dealer could not dulpicate,air conditioner not blowing hard secured blower and blower resister wiring another time had to replaced A/C control unit,engine leaking oil around intake replaced intake gaskets,rear seat sqeaked w/ passengers service shop had attempted to fix but was unsuccessful ,so …
My airbags did not deploy when I was in a 50 MPH head on crash. One car accident against a medium which LED to pain in my neck, chest, and lower back. I was going home in left lane and two speeding cars past me and cut me off, didn't stop and I hit a metal rail. I'm very upset because it could have been fatal. The car is a 99 Chevrolet Malibu which we purchased from carmax and they said they sold us a car with no defects. Where do search for answers? The car is reparable but might not be in the same condition when I get it back. I'm very happy I didn't have my children in that car then.
Small bump accident air bags are suppose to be for moderate to heavy frontal accidents. Yet the air bags deployed on my vehicle when my daughter had a accident where she barley bumped the vehicle ahead of her. There was no damage to either vehicle except the air bags. In fact, she was injured more by the bags (she was dazed and had a head ache) then the bump. If it had not been for the air bags deploying there would have been no damage of any kind. If air bags are for moderate and worse accidents why are they deploying on a slight impact accident?
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning and crashed. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/22/2014 updated 4/1/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the driver and passenger frontal air bags deployed erroneously. The contact received injury to the face and the left foot as a result. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.
While driving on highway and slowing down vehicle behind this vehicle (1999 Malibu) struck consumer's vehicle, causing 1999 Malibu to hit the vehicle in front. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, and did not protect the occupants in this crash. The "other" vehicle airbags did deploy. The vehicle is total loss.
Problem with rotors,took to dealer 4 times. Then, front crash at 60mph, applied brakes, pedal went to floor and vehicle only slowed 10 MPH. Rear ended another vehicle. Neither airabag deployed. Dealer replaced brake master cylinder, said it had internal defect.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 789 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.