YearToAvoid

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of all 975 complaints for this model year. That is #10 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 12 crashes, 1 fire, and 21 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 121,000 miles.

Airbags complaints
25
3% of 975
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
21
Median mileage
121,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Chevrolet Malibu airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 17, 2005, latest Apr 30, 2020.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2005Dec 2005Sep 2008Nov 2013Dec 2014Oct 2015Aug 2017Mar 2019
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2005 to Apr 2020; peak Aug 2005 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Airbags complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200525 (3%)
  2. 200633 (3%)
  3. 200775 (8%)
  4. 200864 (6%)
  5. 200962 (4%)
  6. 2010144 (11%)
  7. 201193 (10%)
  8. 2012101 (11%)
  9. 201359 (7%)
  10. 201416 (5%)
  11. 201549 (18%)
  12. 201618 (2%)
  13. 201714 (2%)
  14. 201814 (2%)
  15. 20196 (3%)
  16. 20204 (2%)
  17. 20216 (7%)
  18. 20224 (4%)
  19. 20236 (9%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of all complaints for this model year, including 12 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 121,000 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has the most airbag complaints (144), compared with 25 for the 2005.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is classified under airbags. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.