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 2009 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver's side curtain air bag erroneously deployed and struck the left side of the contact's head. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road. No warning light was illuminated before or after the failure. Police Officers arrived at the scene, but no police report was filed. The contact sustained a headache and a partial left-ear hearing loss. The contact received a paramedic evaluation. The following day, the contact was taken to the Emergency Room, where it was confirmed that the contact had not sustained a concussion. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. …
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel seized and failed to operate as needed. The contact aggressively maneuvered the steering wheel to regain normal functionality. The air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,553.
well it all started at one, i fixed the electrical myself after inspecting 6 months worth of it sitting , finally found electrical problems that i got it running afterwords 2 fuel pumps later knowing pumps werent the issue then, now I almost have it paid off, its really began to just be a piece of junk after dearly taking care of it when i bought the car I loved it, now I found on it, no steering, comes and goes, like I know how to put a steering asst. in... i pulled one from the J yard, its in the backseat now, airbags indicator saying it needs servicing, tires I bought brand new last summer, they are baby butt smooth now, the car cant even squeal the tires so whatever on that, 5 days ago I threw a new alternator in it, similar to every alternator when they go it was normal... …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact was stopped at a red light, a fedex truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle and pushed the contact's vehicle into traffic. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head injuries and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 31,000. Updated 8/20/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The air bags did not deploy, but the air bag sensor light illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a minor injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later taken to a local dealer per the insurance guidelines. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000. The VIN was not provided.
I was on my way to work south bound on 1 st avenue when another vehicle turn from on coming traffic to cross in front of me to head west bound when we impacted my seat belt did not restrain me at all my head hit the drivers door window very hard and deflected off and continued to the hit the front window then airbag then deployed after to throw be back into my seat after.
The traction light keeps come on when cranking up car.I then received the message ESC off and service power steering.have had thus problem several times before and had to replace whole steering column. Had vechile checked at Chevrolet dealer and was told it was the torch sensor.
On Friday, 19 May 2017 at approximately 9:15 pm I was driving westbound on thunderbird road and 84th avenue in peoria, arizona while operating my white in color 2009 Chevrolet Malibu at forty MPH when all of a sudden, I heard a loud bang, saw a flash of light and smelled a fire. Instantly, shrapnel flew throughout the car and my seatbelt tightened. The first thing I thought was have I been shot or is my car on fire? I immediately lost my hearing for several minutes and had pain on the left side of my chest. My passenger curtain side airbags had deployed suddenly and without notice. The airbag failure mileage was 62,000. (photographs attached) I was in shock, I didn't know if I was hurt or what had happened. I was right near my home and the car could still drive, so I went the couple of blocks home. I pulled into the driveway, turned off the car, and carefully took off my seatbelt. …
Tl contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer due to a very strong chemical smell inside the passenger compartment. The dealer advised him to drive with the windows open, keep the vehicle out of direct sunlight, and allow it to air out. After a few weeks of airing out the vehicle, the contact rear ended another vehicle at 40 MPH. There were no injuries. The contact believed that the strong scent in the vehicle caused him to become disoriented while driving. He believed that the scent was so strong that it caused him to drive poorly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired by the insurance company. The contact does not want to drive the vehicle due to the odor. The current and failure mileages were 800. Updated 07/14/09 the consumer also stated after crashing into several cars, the air bags did not deploy. …
I have had multiple ignition switch failures resulting in loss of airbag systems, the engine not shutting off when the key is removed, the battery dying, a brand new battery started smoking and leaking acid due to a 3rd faulty ignition switch. The issue can be spotty but indefinitely becomes more prevalent as whatever short in the switch gets worse. This is also across multiple switch manufacturers including bwd, ac delco and bmg. I have also noticed that the airbag system May remain on even with the vehicle off and, the battery drainage is much more prevalent when the airbag stays either in the on or off position with the vehicle off. The other issue this causes is the airbag system to completely go off line in which case the airbag warning light will go off but this usually resolves itself after 2 to 10 starts.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 1,509 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 5 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 2009 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 0 fires and 35 injuries and 3 deaths 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.