2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU Air Bags Problems
19 NHTSA complaints on file
Air Bags Issues in the 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
19 air bags complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Of these, 11 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 7 resulted in injury.
19
Complaints
11
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Air Bags Complaints
Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on
MY DAUGHTER GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO MAGUIRE CHEVROLET 2073 ROUTE 96 IN TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 (607)-387-6111 (THIS DEALER WAS PRINTED ON THE RECALL CARD) IN AUGUST TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. SOMEONE AT THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I FOUND IT FISHY AT THE TIME. WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER ONE. SO, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE. THERE IS INDEED A RECALL, AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS. IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDSON, IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MAGUIRE CHEVROLET WERE TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY A DEALERSHIP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING 25 TO 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND REAR ENDED A CAR IN TRAFFIC THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF THERE IS NO CAR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. ONCE WHEN THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AT ATOP LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MILES AND HOUR. THE OTHER TIME IT HAPPENED JUST WHEN I WAS STARTING THE CAR. I
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND GM SAYS DUE TO AIR BAGS IMPLODING CONSUMER HAD POWER. CONSUMER WAS BEHIND THE STEERING AND IT LOCKED NO BRAKES. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, STEERING AND AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 19, 2011. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHICH SENT THE VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE HITTING ANOTHER CAR. HER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ENDED UP GOING BACKWARDS INTO A SIGN AND THEN HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER SHE HIT THE SIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH. SHE STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL KEYS ON HER RING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REMEDY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY PATH CAUSING ME TO HIT THEM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I TOOK THE FULL FORCE OF THE COLLISION INTO MY CHEST. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER A HEAD ON COLLISION. AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GIVING ME PROBLEMS. JUST TOOK IT IN TO MY CAR REPAIR THEY SAID NOW ITS SHOWS AIR BAG ERROR ALSO. THEY WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES! NOW THE AIR BAGS PROBABLY WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED. I WANT THIS FIXED ON THE IGNITION RECALL. EVERY TIME I PULL UP TO MY HOME AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR I AM JUST WAITING FOR IT TO START ON FIRE AS NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK LIKE IT SHOULD. *JS
CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CRASHED INTO A STRAWBERRY FIELD AND ROLLED MULTIPLE TIME EJECTING DRIVER FROM THE CAR. CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PASSENGER MAY HAVE GRABBED AT STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING ON A SNOWY/ICY ROAD WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT ABOUT 50 MPH. MY VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS UNTIL TRAVELING INTO A DITCH AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND PUSHED THE MOTOR BACK A GOOD 2 FEET. MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE IMPACT OF THE FRONT END WAS JUST A LITTLE OFF CENTER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER AND BOUNCED OFF ONLY TO BE STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE REAR. THE FRONT AND REAR QUARTER PANELS WERE DAMAGED THE FRAME WAS COMPROMISED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BACK, ARM, LEG & KNEE INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I AM STILL CURIOUS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SAFETY AIR BAGS. *TR
MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS 'OFF' EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL BUT NOT ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2008 MODEL. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON MAY 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE OUT OF TRAFFIC. SHE COULD NOT FEEL THE BRAKES WORKING AND SPED THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HEADLAMP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY STATING THAT DUE TO THE BODY WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE ACCELERATION FAILURE, ONLY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS A BACK INJURY THAT WAS AGGRAVATED DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT...
I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU SEDAN, AND THE ALARM/HORN HAS A DEFECT. LAST YEAR WE HAD A HIGH POWER WIND STORM AND MY ALARM BLEW FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES (2 HORNS). THEY FINALLY DIED DOWN BY THEMSELVES. MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HIGH WINDS. I HAD TO TAKE FUSE #43 OUT TO MAKE THE HORN STOP BLOWING EVERY TIME I STARTED MY CAR. MY CAR NEED TO PASS INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO CHARGE ME $95.00 AN HOUR, TO DO AN EXPLORATORY DEAL ON THE CAR, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER CAR REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THE COST WOULD BE $900.00, BUT COULD NOT JUSTIFY, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THEY STATED IT COULD BE THE TURN SIGNAL OR IT COULD BE THE FUSE UNDER MY AIR BAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NO ONE CAN ACTUALLY EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY...
DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG EQUIPMENT IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU STATING IT HAS A 1998 MALIBU AIR BAG SYSTEM.*MR SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER HAD A FACTORY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, SO HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS FROM A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE OLD CAR PARTS IN A NEWER MODEL CAR.*SB *NM
SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE PIT PARTS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIR BAG. *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. *AK
Other 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU Problem Areas
Electrical System
214 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
59 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
55 complaints
Engine
47 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
25 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
24 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
21 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
17 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
15 complaints
Unknown Or Other
15 complaints
Service Brakes
14 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
13 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
12 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
12 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
11 complaints
Power Train
11 complaints
Exterior Lighting
10 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
10 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
8 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
7 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
7 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
6 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
4 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
4 complaints
Structurebody
4 complaints
Suspensionfronthub
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
3 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
3 complaints
Service Brakes Air
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
2 complaints
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lightsunit
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
2 complaints
Fuel System Other
2 complaints
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
2 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcrankcase Pcv
1 complaint
Equipmentelectrical
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalanti Theft Devices
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherdelivery
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airdiscrotor
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumwheel Cylinders
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
1 complaint
Structurebodydoor
1 complaint
Structurebodytrunk Lid
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
1 complaint
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilitywiper
1 complaint