YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 33 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of all 1,115 complaints for this model year. That is #9 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 16 crashes and 17 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 115,190 miles.

Airbags complaints
33
3% of 1,115
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
17
Median mileage
115,190 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Chevrolet Malibu airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 5, 2006, latest Sep 16, 2023.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2006Jan 2009Dec 2011Jul 2014Jan 2015Jul 2015Apr 2017Aug 2020
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2006 to Sep 2023; peak Jan 2009 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu

  1. NHTSA 06V417000Oct 31, 2006Airbags794 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.

    Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.

    Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

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 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of all complaints for this model year, including 16 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 115,190 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has the most airbag complaints (144), compared with 33 for the 2006.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu concerns the airbag: 06V417000.

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.