2010 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 144 of 1,359 complaints (11%) for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, tied to 26 crashes and 31 injuries. NHTSA also lists recall 19V019000 for a driver frontal airbag inflator that may explode. Median failure mileage is 55,000.
- Airbags complaints
- 144
- 11% of 1,359
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 31
- Median mileage
- 55,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Frontal and passenger air bags fail to deploy during moderate-to-high speed head-on or side-impact crashes, even at 40-60 mph.
- Airbags stay inactive in collisions that destroy the vehicle, leaving occupants to rely only on seat belts.
- Some owners report the passenger air bag off warning lamp was illuminated before a crash in which the passenger bag did not deploy.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to restrain occupants in the same crashes where air bags did not fire, worsening head, neck, and back injuries.
- One report describes an air bag wire being severed by a cracked plastic air intake cover during an accident, preventing deployment.
- Failures are reported across a wide mileage range, from under 1,000 miles up to 82,000 miles.
When 2010 Chevrolet Malibu airbag complaints were filed
First complaint May 4, 2010, latest May 10, 2025.
Airbags recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 19V019000Jan 16, 2019Airbags1,145 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
Airbags complaints by Malibu model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- NHTSA lists 144 airbag-related complaints for the 2010 Malibu, which is 11% of the 1,359 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes. Recall 19V019000, reported January 16, 2019, covers 2010-2011 Malibu vehicles where the driver frontal air bag inflator may explode from overpressurization in a crash. GM dealers replace the front driver air bag module free of charge.
- Do the 2010 Malibu airbag complaints involve crashes or injuries?
- Yes. NHTSA data tied to this problem area shows 26 crashes and 31 injuries reported.
- At what mileage do 2010 Malibu airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2010 Malibu is 55,000 miles, though owners reported failures ranging from under 1,000 miles up to 82,000 miles.