2010 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 144 airbag complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of all complaints for the year, tied to 26 crashes and 31 injuries. A related recall (19V019000) covers driver frontal air bag inflators that may explode from overpressurization.
- Airbags complaints
- 144
- 11% of 1,361 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 1,361
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 31
- Median mileage
- 55,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Frontal air bags failed to deploy in head-on or frontal-impact crashes even at highway speeds.
- Side-impact crashes left driver or passenger air bags undeployed despite significant vehicle damage.
- Passenger air bag failed to deploy after the passenger air bag off warning lamp had illuminated before the crash.
- Airbag wiring was reported severed by a cracked plastic air intake cover during a collision, preventing deployment.
- Occupants suffered head, neck, and chest injuries in crashes where air bags and seat belts both failed to restrain them.
- Rear-end and multi-vehicle chain-reaction crashes resulted in no air bag deployment despite repeated impacts.
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 1,361 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes. Recall campaign 19V019000 covers 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles whose driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to overpressurization. Dealers replace the front driver air bag module free of charge.
- Did the airbag problems cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to these complaints shows 26 crashes and 31 injuries, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2010 Malibu?
- The median mileage at failure among these airbag complaints is 55,000 miles.
- Which model years of the Malibu have the highest share of airbag complaints?
- The 2015 Malibu has the highest share at 18%, followed by the 2010 and 2012 model years, each at 11%.