YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of all 1,509 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 23 crashes and 35 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 71,500 miles.

Airbags complaints
62
4% of 1,509
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
35
Median mileage
71,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Chevrolet Malibu airbag complaints were filed

First complaint May 21, 2009, latest Jun 17, 2026.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu airbags complaints: complaints filed per quarter52009 Q22012 Q12014 Q12015 Q42017 Q22018 Q32019 Q42022 Q1
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2014 Q2 (5).

Airbags recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of all complaints for this model year, including 23 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 71,500 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has the most airbag complaints (144), compared with 62 for the 2009.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 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.