# Chevrolet Malibu airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 53 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (33) - **Related recalls:** 6 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Chevrolet Malibu (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (33). There are **6 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Chevrolet Malibu airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 33 | 270 | 12% | | 2016 | 8 | 865 | 1% | | 2017 | 3 | 727 | 0% | | 2018 | 2 | 700 | 0% | | 2019 | 4 | 193 | 2% | | 2023 | 3 | 73 | 4% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Chevrolet Malibu recalls related to the airbag warning light **[18V400000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V400000)** (2016-2018 models, reported 2018-06-14): In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. **[16V870000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V870000)** (2017 models, reported 2016-12-02): Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. **[16V781000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V781000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-10-26): If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. **[16V151000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V151000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-03-11): Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. **[16V125000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V125000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-03-02): An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. **[15V666000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V666000)** (2015 models, reported 2015-10-16): 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... **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. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Chevrolet Malibu owners report - "The vehicle has also had multiple safety-related problems, including Service ESC warnings, jerking/poor acceleration, Service Safety Restraint System and airbag warnings, and a "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care" warning. On or about XXX, while driving, I experienced what felt like the brakes, wheel, and..." -- owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2026 - "The air bag, check engine, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that she received messages from the mobile App informing her to check the air bags. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer..." -- owner of a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2023 - "I was at a red light and out of no where the Air bags on the driver side deployed, there was a passenger thanks god they did not go out." -- owner of a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2021 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Malibu airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 6 related recalls (18V400000, 16V870000, 16V781000, 16V151000, 16V125000, 15V666000) covering 2015-2018 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Chevrolet Malibu years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Malibu model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 33 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Malibu with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Malibu warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-malibu): 22 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-malibu): 63 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-malibu): 14 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-malibu): 134 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Chevrolet Malibu - [Chevrolet Malibu specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-malibu) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-malibu Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.