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 2004 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [redacted] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 23 MPH in the rain, the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a cement barrier. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. Two days later, the interior of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The fire department informed the contact that the fire was due to the electrical wiring in the dashboard. The vehicle was not towed or taken to the dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the transmission shift cable failed. As a result, the contact lost braking and steering functions. The failure resulted in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. Prior to this failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed but it was unknown if it was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 315,000.
I was stopped at a red light and was rear-ended by a car going 15-20 MPH (the at-fault driver was distracted by their phone). I was knocked unconscious and had a bump over my left eye from hitting something. I had a concussion. The airbags did not deploy. A policy report was filed. I still suffer mid and lower back pain (disc bulges and fissures). After the wreck, I started to get a warning about needing to service the airbags.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 MPH, another vehicle sped into the contact's lane and crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact was shaken up, but was uninjured. The contact's vehicle was damaged, but drivable. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sedan. While driving 30 MPH, she crashed into a dirt mound and blacked out. When the driver side air bag deployed, the steering wheel was detached. There was smoke and some flames present around the steering wheel. The driver was able to regain consciousness, smelled smoke and stopped the vehicle by shifting the gear into park. The seat belt also broke, threw the contact into the rear seat and the vehicle flipped over into a field and was destroyed. The driver sustained a concussion, whiplash and the passenger had minor injuries. The passenger air bag deployed normally. Pictures and a police report and pictures are available. The fire department attempted to determine the cause of fire and was unsuccessful. The failure and current mileages were approximately 100,000. Rk updated 5/5/08
Lady lost control of car and hit a truck and smashed passenger side front section and air bags deployed. She did not have the money to pay the tow company so she let them have the car. I found this information on car facts online. My son lives in mo and purchased the car and I purchased the car due to the low miles on the car and now having problems getting the air bags to function properly. I also caller deery brothers Chevrolet dealership and they checked my VIN and this car does have a recall on it.
Takata recall. My radio started displaying a service air bag message and my horn stopped working. The wiring in the car has stopped working. I began to replace lightbulbs thinking they were blown but just will not work. Heard this car was recalled for these exact problems I am having but for some reason my car has no recalls. My steering wheel makes a knocking noise when turning very sharp. Sounds like a piece is broken knocking around
The rack and pinion went out when making left turns in city setting. Steering wheel turned but wheels did not. Felt a jumping in the wheel. Gears in rack were stripped when making a hard left turn. Steering wheel spun 3/4 and ruined air bag and no cruise control. Ive had to get a new rack and pinion.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision, where it struck another vehicle at 25 MPH dead center, and the air bags did not deploy. Consumers sustained neck injuries. The vehicle was totaled.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 1,147 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 recalls 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 2004 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 2 fires and 9 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.