Diagsheet

2015 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light or recall

  • 49owner reports
  • 48,000median miles
  • 8involved a crash

Newest report Jul 22, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

49 of the 267 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 Malibu.

Tick what matches of 49 reports

30
12
5
1

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (14 reports) and the module (12 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the airbags covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

15V-666Oct 16, 2015
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 and remedy
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.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Malibu

EA25-005opened Oct 21, 2025
Airbags · model years 2020

Dtn air bag inflator rupture. Open.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of eight vehicle crashes in which a rupture of a Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN) air bag inflator occurred during the deployment of the driver side air bag. All eight drivers in these crashes sustained serious or fatal injuries that appear linked to the ruptures. Six of those drivers sustained fatal injuries and two sustained severe injuries. In all eight incidents, the subject inflators had been installed as replacement equipment after the vehicle was involved in a previous crash. Information gathered during NHTSA’s initial analysis of these incidents indicates that the inflators were potentially imported illegally into the United States. In conjunction with this safety investigation, NHTSA is also working with appropriate authorities to address any illegal activities associated with the importation of these inflators. As a result of the significant safety concerns relating to these inflators, as well as extensive information already obtained by ODI relating to their field ruptures, ODI is moving directly to the Engineering Analysis (EA) stage of its investigative process rather than first opening a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA has taken a variety of actions to address the risks posed by the importation of substandard or counterfeit air bag components. However, until recently, these risks appeared spread across a variety of components and manufacturers. As part of ODI’s continuo

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 26,000 and 65,000 miles, from the 29 reports that gave a mileage.

316
317
618
1319
1220
321
422
223
225
126

What owners wrote

“Service airbag light goes on and off. Also passenger air bag keeps turning on and off.”

Filed Aug 20, 2025

“Air bag light is on dashboard and my driver seat won’t recline back up to a normal driving position. Brought it to the mechanic to have it checked and was told I am in need of a new driver seat do to a faulty airbag. The car is not even 10 years old yet and I can’t use the seat properly to drive safely.”

Filed Oct 9, 2023

“Air bag warning service notification appeared. Contacted dealership and they stated no recall on my vehicle only trucks and SUV's.”

Filed Aug 3, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 8 of 49 reports involved a crash and 7 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

Other problems on this car