2015 Chevrolet Malibu Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 49 airbag complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of all complaints filed for the year, the highest share of any Malibu model year. Owners report airbags failing to deploy or deploy partially in crashes, plus false warning lights. A related recall covers side impact air bag modules.
- Airbags complaints
- 49
- 18% of 270
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 7
- Median mileage
- 48,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Frontal or side airbags fail to deploy at all during moderate-speed collisions, including t-bone impacts near 40-45 mph.
- Airbags deploy but fail to fully inflate, leaving occupants unprotected on impact.
- Airbag warning light illuminates unexpectedly, sometimes tied to diagnostic codes, even with no crash event.
- Dealers update the airbag control computer, but the warning light returns shortly after the vehicle leaves the shop.
- Owners report the airbag system's main control module failing, requiring full replacement.
- Side impact air bag modules are subject to a separate recall for certain 2015 Malibu vehicles.
When 2015 Chevrolet Malibu airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 31, 2016, latest Jul 22, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 15V666000Oct 16, 2015Airbags395 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
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 the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- NHTSA lists 49 airbag-related complaints for the 2015 Malibu, which is 18% of all complaints filed for that model year, the highest airbag complaint share of any Malibu year listed.
- Is there a recall for 2015 Malibu airbags?
- Yes. Recall campaign 15V666000 covers front seat-mounted side impact air bag modules on certain 2015 Malibu vehicles among other GM models. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- Do 2015 Malibu airbags fail to deploy in crashes?
- Owners report cases where airbags did not deploy or only partially inflated during crashes, including 8 crashes and 7 injuries tied to airbag complaints.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2015 Malibu is 48,000 miles.