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 2005 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My vehicle stalled on rairoad track-when it hit the jarring --between the pavement and the tracks---the train was at a great distance---so the engineer stated---when they were 2078 feet from my Chevrolet Malibu -2005---they started to blow whistle----when I saw tghe train at a great distance -and yes I did have heavy things on my keychain--but GM failed to notify -I have a mailbox and a telephone--I was hitting the gas pedal over and over again and when I was doing that I remember hitting the ignition switch but the car was already dead-I was impacted and almost lost my life---it took me 3 years to recoperate----I did not know about the recall--and they started the recall in 2014--cover up GM--you should have startedit in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are 26 photos -but not in my posession I will attempt to obtain them----
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 55 MPH on an incline in inclement weather, the vehicle began to spin and the contact crashed into a guardrail multiple times. The steering wheel completely fractured from the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor neck and left arm injuries that required medical attention. The front passenger sustained thigh injuries and the rear passenger side passenger did not sustain any injuries. Both passengers did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 223,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle, causing it to spin and crash into a fence, a brick wall and the side of a house. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 02/24/15 updated 9/15/2017
Today my husband had an accident. Someone ran a red light and hit him so hard on the passenger side that our car ended up on the next block. Our car has curtain air bags and they failed to deploy. At present time I notified our insurance, who was surprised that the air bags did not deploy and I have requested that it be looked into. At this point we want to know if the air bags are even in the vehicle. I also called the dealer who sold us the car and I am still waiting for a response to the following question, how hard does a vehicle have to be hit for the side air bags to deploy? My husband sustained injuries on his knees and bruises on the chest. I am very concerned that these air bags did not deploy because had I or anyone else been in the car they would have had serious injury. Note our car does not have an on and off switch for the airbags.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the engine stalled and the vehicle spun out of control. The contact crashed into a wall and the driver side air bag failed to deployed. The driver was knocked unconscious and medical attention was required. A police report was failed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system , electronic stability control , exterior lighting , service brakes, hydraulic , vehicle speed control) and believed that the recall was related to the crash. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
I purchased two 2005 Chevy malibus - one lt and one ls. In February 2008 my daughter was driving the ls and rearended me into the car in front of me. I was at a dead stop and it propelled me 4 feet before I slammed into the car infront of me. She went up my bumper and into my trunk and no airbags in her Malibu or mine were deployed. In July 2008 she was driving the lt and rolled the car two times at 55 MPH and none of the 6 airbags deployed that time either. The first accident caused $8,000 damage to her car and $ 10,000 to mine yet no airbags. The second accident the car was a total loss and no airbags.
Dt: while driving the contact's daughter ran upon the curbing along the side of the road. She then over corrected and ran into an embankment head on, and the vehicle flipped twice. Upon impact, neither front air bags deployed. The driver sustained I shoulder injuries , but the passenger was fine. The weather conditions were normal and not considered as a cause of the accident. A police report was taken at the scene . The insurance company deemed the vehicle not repairable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, smoke started to emit from behind the steering wheel. The contact mentioned that within a couple of minutes, the air bag erroneously deployed without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 158,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the air bags deployed in the contact's face without warning or impact. The contact required medical attention. The vehicle was at the contact's home awaiting inspection by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. Updated 10/13/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. Also, the air bag and check engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 975 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 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 2005 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 21 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.