2008 Chevrolet Malibu Air Bags Problems
- 59
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 59 stored complaint records:
- 9 indicate a crash
- 8 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
- 2 indicate a death
What owners report
- warning light · 15 records
- light illuminated · 9 records
- power steering · 8 records
- airbag light · 8 records
- failure mileage · 8 records
- service light · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 18 |
| 30–60k mi | 11 |
| 100–150k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Air Bags
The passenger air bag indicator light shows the passenger air bag is off when there is someone sitting in the seat, sometimes it works, sometimes not. This is a safety item and there should be a recall for this. *tr
ODI 10663135
Air Bags
My son was driving home from college and his driver and passenger curtain airbags and driver seat airbags deployed for no reason. He did not hit anything and nothing hit him. He sustained mild injuries due to this malfunction of the airbags. He will be going to the doctors due to residue in the eye, a burning feeling on side of face, and neck hurting. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10662257
Air Bags · Power Train
Gear shift indicator failed again. It was fixed under a previous recall back in july 2014. Also there is an airbag light that has began to display, but chevy states that the recall covers 2008 impala, not the malibu models. *tr
ODI 10653751
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
ODI 10663062
Air Bags
Messages: 1. Svs air bag, also when passenger in car, air bag is off. 2. Svs tire monitor, also thinks i have a flat when all 4 tires are filled. *tr
ODI 10658804
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there was one injury reported. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10630224
Air Bags
I received a recall for my malibu and at about the same time my service air bag light came on with message on my radio screen, so i went to our gm dealer, he said parts were not in for the recall. When told about air bags he said they would check it out for $89.00. I called gm they said to take it back and they would take care of cost. I went back on 8/12/14 and was told $1386.00+tx for code 56 defective passenger…
ODI 10628868
Air Bags
Air bag module is not working according to dealer. The air bag warning light came on and did not go off. This is a major safety item and should good for the life of the vehicle. Owners should not have to pay for this very expensive repair. *js
ODI 10592609
Air Bags
My "service air bag" sign lights up on my dashboard at random. I had it looked at by a local chevrolet service center last summer (2014). They came up with several scenarios that added up to more than 1,700 dollars. The problem is still not fixed. I wrote the chief executive officer of the general motors corporation to try to get any further fees associated with the air bag problem waived, because i thought 1,700…
ODI 10731520
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the service air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
ODI 10641277
Air Bags
Air bag light came on dash, dealer says the harness is bad, and airbag will not function and needs to be replaced. This is not covered by any warranty or recall, however the forums online are filled with people with the same complaint. *tr
ODI 10639745
Air Bags · Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the check engine, dome light, door ajar sound, seat belt warning lights illuminated at the same time. The engine lost power after the above warning signals displayed. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
ODI 10633855
Air Bags
Service airbag light came on when starting vehicle. Brought to dealer. Was told both front impact sensors had failed. Very expensive fix. *tr
ODI 10562451
Air Bags · Body · Electrical System
I was driving down a bridge when the vehicles in front of me came to a sudden stop, i hit my brakes and slid into the back of a dodge ram and then was rearended by a chevy tahoe. My airbags never deployed and a light flashed in the dash saying check airbags. I wasn't aware this could be a defect in my vehicle at the time, it has since be totaled. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10617693
Air Bags · Steering
On several occasions i received a message on the console "power steering" and could not turn the wheel. I would be in a parked position or pulling out (in reverse) of a parking spot. I would turn the car off and back on and the message would go away. Also i got a message regarding the passenger side air bag was not working. This would happen each time i would start the car and it would stay on. *tr
ODI 10578696
Air Bags
Service passenger airbag light has been coming off and on intermittently. This has only occurred when a passenger is in the seat. When warning light comes on, passenger airbag light shows "off". *tr
ODI 10610835
Air Bags
Service air bag kept coming on, maybe for a day or two then would go off for many days. Did this for many months. This past may the message came on more than was off. Had it serviced to replace the sensor on passenger side. Very costly!! *tr
ODI 10607189
Air Bags
Service air bag kept coming on, maybe for a day or two then would go off for many days. Did this for many months. This past may the message came on more than was off. Had it serviced to replace the sensor on passenger side. Very costly!! *tr
ODI 10607188
Air Bags · Steering
Driving on straight road and car suddenly pulled right onto the shoulder. It felt like the car lost its steering capacity. Tried to correct the steering onto the road and then car spun 180, then hit ditch. Car rolled over 100 ft. In air and landed on wheels. The front, nor side air bags deployed even when car struck the side on the ground. Canada has recalled 67,000 vehicles due to power steering motor control…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10547464
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. After starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 7/10/15*cn the consumer stated the air bag light illuminated when there was no one sitting in the passenger seat. Updated 08/06/15*jb
ODI 10716501
Air Bags
The passenger side air bag on/off light started to turn off and on while a passenger of 108 pounds was sitting in the seat. The red air bag light also was showing on the dashboard coming on then off. The air bag on/off light eventually stayed off after two days of the same things happening and the red air bag light on the dash is constantly on with a message to service the air bag. I took it to my local chevrolet…
ODI 10616650
Air Bags
The service airbag light came on and too the car to the dealer. Dealer stated that the code was "diag sir b0081 (71) pss1 invalid data received pps/3025". Dealer stated that the passenger airbag may, or may not work properly in the case of an accident. The sensor in the passenger seat is not working properly. Dealer stated that the issue was the responsibility of the customer and not the manufacture. *tr
ODI 10511357
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the driver side front and rear air bags deployed erroneously with the illumination of the air bag warning lights. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and also stated that toxic fumes emitted from the air bags once deployed. The contact and a passenger, as well as a child passenger, sustained minor injuries…
3 injuries
ODI 10469635
Air Bags · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Additionally, the service traction warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the sensor in the steering column and the front driver and passenger side wheel sensors would have to be…
ODI 10493085
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bags unexpectedly deployed without warning. The dealer and manufacturer denied assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.
ODI 10440489