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 2010 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The airbag don't work, I just payed 1200$ to replace the computer pc because the car wouldn't start and that didn't solve the problem the check engine light is always on, the car have electrical problems; if I run the Ac it blows hot and then the car go to engine power reduces within 4 minutes. If I drive the car it will go on engine power reduce after 6 minutes because the fan is not working due to the fact that that car has electrical problems and the fan is not getting enough power to warm the car up and the engine gets real hot and it go to making a loud rumbling noise and growling and I can only drive 10 mph and 40 mph the fastest but then the car go to shaking and wen I try to park the car it's shaking Nd rumbling which can cause an accident
I was driving down the road after I bought the car and the steering suddenly went out the DIC said "service esc" and "service traction" and I could barely move the steering wheel I was lucky to be on a country road because if I was on the highway I could have lost complete control and caused an accident I took it to a mechanic and they said "the dielectric grease in the bcm connector wore out" when I googled it I saw there was a recall but when I contacted the dealer they said there was nothing they could do for me. this is very concerning as who knows how many malibus steering could randomly go out over such a stupid problem i could be available if you would like to inspect the car/systems
First off the power steering goes out and can only be fixed by applying dielectric grease to the bcm but that will fix it. second the airbag light will randomly go on but this can also be remedy by fixing the yellow connection under the passenger seat try jiggling it if that doesnt fix it just cut the two wires off the connector's and splice with crimp connectors. hope this helps you as much as it did me :)
My airbag light just recently came on driver frontal airbag may explode NHTSA-19001900 Power steering NHTSA- 14E044000 u joint premature failure Electrical system all out of wack NHSTA-14V252000 bcm resistance result in voltage fluctuations in brake Power train- NHTSA 12V460000 4 speed automatic transmission the tabs on transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate
Was driving down highway at approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour when my drivers side window airbag and seat airbag deployed. It hit my face shoulder and arm. There was no collision and I was able to keep control of the vehicle for the most part. I swerved a little but regained control quickly. My seat belt is locked and is no longer usable
The passenger light beam will not come on it also messes with my radio it turns it to the aux I keep replacing the Bub in the harness and it's still not working not not to mention the car felt like a lost of power due to I guess the trance when turning a corner or pulling off. The air bag light comes on a few days and turn off.
Connector for airbags sensor wiring has a problem which is address in General Motors document Recall 13040A Dated April 2014. There is a warning on the dash about the airbags not operational. We have never been contacted by General Motors about this problem, but other Chevrolet Malibu owners are have the same problem.
I was involved in a hit and run back in March 2017 the person backed into the pass-side of my car as I was driving 35 MPH down the main road , the side impact airbag did not deploy from impact , the dealership said this is not a Takata issue as they were replaced by the current recall and they don't know why they didn't deploy . The electrical issue is the OnStar response system didn't detect the crash and call for help- I had to push the button to get help . The car can not get directions sent to it from OnStar and the electrical keeps failing/loosing power and I was told to replace the batter and alternator but it still does it and the wires r fine . Dealership told me to replace the computer control system but seems their guessing and I don't have $1,200 around to do it . The side impact airbag should of deployed and the OnStar sensor should of detected it and called for help.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While making a left turn at a green light, another vehicle struck the contact's vehicle on the passenger side. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck a pole on the driver's side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained head and neck injuries the required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 20 MPH in the snow, the contact crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The manufacturer filed a claim for the contact and stated that the air bags should have deployed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 144 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of the model year's 1,363 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-019 (inflator module, Jan 16, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 26 crashes, 0 fires and 31 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.