Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On [redacted] around 1pm me and my mom were in a bad accident we were driving on [redacted] through Columbus Ohio to go down to Kentucky we were at least 50 feet from the truck that was pulling a camper when all of sudden the camper had no brake lights and was not moving my mom pushed the brake all the way to the floor you could feel the car trying to stop but it wasn't stopping we were only going 25 and should have been able to stop . But we didn't by till we were in the camper bumper driver side airbag went off but mine in the passenger seat didn't forcing my head to fly forward then back my seat belt locked to hard I felt I couldn't breath and I had just had my appendix removed two days before the accident I was screaming in pain I was later on took to the hospital to make sure I was not bleeding on the inside I now sit in my bed feeling hopeless in so much pain . …
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that later in 2020, the electronic stability control (ESC) and low traction warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that both front rotating assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V019000 (Air Bags) and 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the "Service Air Bag" warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Hi my name Is [redacted] . JD Byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since Ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard Service Airbags ,Service ABS and traction ESC off are some of the few. The car has been to their service department 14 times since Ive owned it each time they said its fixed then its right back in their shop again. I have one daughter with sickle cell disease and one with autism. My kids are afraid to ride in the car and Im afraid to drive it. Last Monday while bringing my kids to school every light on the dash board came on then the car shut down on me on the highway. If the car behind me wouldnt have swerved around me and the one behind it didnt jam their brakes my kids and i would have been seriously hurt or possibly killed. …
Air bag, supplemental restraint system failure caused by a faulty electrical connector under the driver's seat. GM is aware of this issue and may have issued a TSB. A recall and repair at GM's expense would be a better way to address this issue as some people might not be willing or able to pay for the one hundred plus dollars repair cost and continue to drive the car with repairing the supplemental restraint system.
Airbag light and ESC power steering light on at the same time. Service ESC on and of on the screen and after awhile the steering wheel locked and I lost control of my direction while I am turning left on a traffic light. I end up in a ditch. I took it to Chevy service dealership and they find out a diffect on steering torque sensor shaft and they recommend me to replace it. They ask me $1024.00 for labor and part.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained fractured bones on her face and the passenger sustained minor contusions that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering axle and tires were defective. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
The air bag sensor light came on but the air bag did not deploy when involved in a wreck caused by the negligence of another person on a major highway and will not go off. Claims adjuster denied the repair stating that it was a common problem with 2011 Malibu's and could not determine without certainty that it wasn't on before the accident. This light is annoying and a constant reminder that I am driving a faulty vehicle of which I could be seriously injured if I am involved in another crash because my air bags will not deploy.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the front passenger side. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck, leg, and arms, which continuously required medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,900.
My wife was in an accident where the other vehical ran a red light and colided with her in the driver front and head on type. The vehicals side air bags and the driver or passanger air bags never deployed.this is in a police report and I have pictures of the car.the two cars colided at a intersection in the middle of lacrosse wis and the other vehical went over my cars hood and over turned. The other driver was extracted from his vehical with the jaws of life.
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 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of the model year's 978 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 28 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.