Disclaimer: Not affiliated with or endorsed by Chevrolet Motor Company. For informational purposes only. Full Disclaimer

Problems with 1999 Chevrolet Malibu AIR BAGS

On average, the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu starts to “feel” problems with the AIR BAGS and its various aspects after 122 124 miles.

Components Affected by AIR BAGS Issues

We have classified the 15 complaints from 1999 Chevrolet Malibu about AIR BAGS into the following categories.

FRONTAL 21 SIDE/WINDOW 2

Recently reported AIR BAGS problems on 1999 Chevrolet Malibu

Takara recall ..front and passenger airbags did not deploy in accident. i was stopped in traffic when a car struck me from behind going highway speed , impact caused the car to get stuck in my trunk pushed me down the highway sideways and stuffed the nose of my car into the guardrail breaking the guardrail , quick thinking saved our lives ( my husband was in the passenger seat )i saw the car coming full highway speed and nosed my car into the breakdown lane to avoid getting stuffed under the truck infront of me. the car was a complete loss, i ended up with a concussion, torn rotator cuff, fractures in my right arm and right knee, chronic headaches, and paranoia of driving.. luckily no one was in the backseat because the rear seat broke from impact with the spare tire.

While driving my airbags blew up and i crashed resulting in my back and both legs being broken

I was getting out of my car and i left it running and the air bag deployed and i didn't hit anything i was wondering if there was any recall on this particular model

Car cut off went off road. *tr

I stopped at the gas station to put some air in the tires, and when i got out and closed the door, both the driver side and passenger side airbags deployed. i am thankful that i was not sitting in the car when they just erroneously deployed. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. the contact was driving approximately 50 mph when the driver and passenger frontal air bags deployed erroneously. the contact received injury to the face and the left foot as a result. a police report was filed. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileage was 120,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 chevrolet malibu. while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning and crashed. the air bags failed to deploy. a police report was filed. the contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown. updated 10/22/2014*lj updated 4/1/2015 *js

I was involved in a hit and run accident, which wasnt my fault. the car was hit on the passenger side causing the steering column to fall onto my lap.the air bags did not deplore, i suffered a fractured pelvis which did not heal correctly. im still having problems from this . the car was totaled. *tr

Was driving about 30 mph and traffic stopped. i applied the brakes and the car failed to slow resulting in a three car accident. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. while turning into the parking lot at an unknown speed, the tire struck the curve and the passenger side air bag deployed. approximately five minutes later, the driver side air bag deployed. the weather was sunny and the streets were dry. the contact feels that this was a safety issue because he could have been seriously injured. a police report was filed. the failure caused the windshield to shatter. the contact sustained a concussion and was rushed to the emergency room. the failure mileage was unknown.

I was driving in slow morning traffic, more or less 20 mph when all of a sudden both driver and passenger airbags exploded. there was no crash. i did not hit anything thanks that i was driving slow. mr. dan bailey, service manager at holler chevrolet - 407-645-1234, after checking the car out, said this was the second time he saw airbags exploding without accident on a chevrolet. *nm

Dt: consumer states: the air bags didn't deploy during a wreck. got hit from the front, and hit a truck in the back. the hood and fender bent. speed may have been 55- 60 mph. *ak *sb *nm

Small bump accident air bags are suppose to be for moderate to heavy frontal accidents. yet the air bags deployed on my vehicle when my daughter had a accident where she barley bumped the vehicle ahead of her. there was no damage to either vehicle except the air bags. in fact, she was injured more by the bags (she was dazed and had a head ache) then the bump. if it had not been for the air bags deploying there would have been no damage of any kind. if air bags are for moderate and worse accidents why are they deploying on a slight impact accident? *nm

Consumer stated his daughter's vehicle hit something with the rear bumper at a low impact of 5 mph or less, and both frontal air bags deployed for unknown reason. no injuries were reported. dealer and manufacturer were not notified. *ak

While driving at 20 mph passenger side air bag deployed. *ak

The airbags on my 1999 chevy malibu did not deploy when i was in a pretty serious accident. i have photos of the car and the accident scene. i was hit in the front by someone running a stop sign. *jb

My airbags did not deploy when i was in a 50 mph head on crash. one car accident against a medium which led to pain in my neck, chest, and lower back. i was going home in left lane and two speeding cars past me and cut me off, didn't stop and i hit a metal rail. i'm very upset because it could have been fatal. the car is a 99 chevrolet malibu which we purchased from carmax and they said they sold us a car with no defects. where do search for answers? the car is reparable but might not be in the same condition when i get it back. i'm very happy i didn't have my children in that car then. *nlm

The vehicle was involved in an accident yet the air bags did not deploy. the consumer sustained minor injuries. the dealer was notified. *nlm

The vehicle was involved in a head on collision yet none of the air bags deployed. the dealer was notified. *nlm

Consumer states while traveling at 25 mph. consumer states' hit a patch in the road and vehicle hydroplaned into a metal and concreted barrier. consumer states none of the vehicles airbags deployed. please describe further. ts

Had coolant/oil leaking from valve cover/ intake manifold. dealer replaced all 5 gaskets, oil and coolant. only have 31,000 miles on the car. also had resistor for fan control changed. blower would not operate in position 1 or 2. one month ago in january, had transmission cooling leak. dealer said it was "transmission internal wiring harness connector" leaking when i told them it was cooling line. invoice shows changed harness, which i couldnt tell it was new because it was dirty, and changed gasket in cooling line. at same time had a/c blower control unit replaced. ive had probelms with this vehicle since i bought it. tires were "cupped" after first rotation. dearler replaced 2 front tires under warranty. now i have a problem with tires/wheels after each rotation when rear wheels are put up front. said problem might be alignment, which is not covered under warranty. also have had horn repaired due to inop. dealer found wiring harness wasn't connected. had control switch changed on power drivers seat. drivers seat moves back/forth slightly when braking/accelerating. passenger-side airbag was replaced due to "squeaking" when hitting bumps in the road. had battery replaced due to acid leak eating off positive terminal. had to leave car overnight at work brakes are due replacement due to "brake fade". car is total disapointment. would trade it in, but i owe more than vehicle is worth.

My 1999 chevy mailbu has had many problems. i will start with the 2 fuel injecters replaced 2 months after purchasing. the car begin to run rough then would have problems starting. then there was the altanator, the thermostat, the head and intake gaskets and the numurous electical problems. the electrical problems still cannot be solved after numrous tripsto the repair shop. most of the problems have been corrected on more than one occasion. as a consumer i hope you will help us malibu owners who are in destress. i know the auto companies are in financial trouble but that still does not excuse making an unsafe auto. i am afraid enough not to drive my car. i feel i put my family and myself in danger taking thsi car on the road. i hope you will help correct this problem. i feel my only next option is to contact a lawyer over my legal rights.

While traveling at 25mph front air bags deployed without any prior warning. *ak*slc

While driving 20-25 mph rearended another vehicle.upon impact, neither airbag deployed, driver hit head on the steering wheel. damage to vehicle was $ 3600. *ak

This vehicle has had several problems i'll try to list.the airbags did not deploy they had been replaced when they fixed the horn problems.completely dissatisfied with my vehicle.i'm not sure if vehicle will be totaled since the accident was 9/6/01. i believe at the very least the airbags should have deployed.i don't know who to complain to.i've replaced rear brakes and rotors,altenator,water pump,battery,horn contact replaced twice at same time had to replace air bag due to sensor behind airbag,interior door panel replaced bracket broken,oil light continued to come on often even though service dealer could not dulpicate,air conditioner not blowing hard secured blower and blower resister wiring another time had to replaced a/c control unit,engine leaking oil around intake replaced intake gaskets,rear seat sqeaked w/ passengers service shop had attempted to fix but was unsuccessful ,so as you can tell many problems!!! makes me think twice before buying a chevrolet product again.thank you

Slid on ice during snow storm, hit concrete barrier head on at 20-25 mph, spun and hit concret three times, air bags never deployed. *ak

Problem with rotors,took to dealer 4 times. then, front crash at 60mph, applied brakes, pedal went to floor and vehicle only slowed 10 mph. rear ended another vehicle. neither airabag deployed. dealer replaced brake master cylinder, said it had internal defect. *ak

While driving on highway and slowing down vehicle behind this vehicle (1999 malibu) struck consumer's vehicle, causing 1999 malibu to hit the vehicle in front. upon impact, airbags did not deploy, and did not protect the occupants in this crash. the "other" vehicle airbags did deploy. the vehicle is total loss. *ak

My air bag light stays on. i called the dealer and the guy said it meant the air bags didn't work and they wouldn't come out even in a crash and since the warranty was gone i would have to pay to have it fixed. my floor board floods when it rains. there has been about an inch of water in my floor at one time and has flooded everytime it rains. i was told that too would have to be paid for out of my pocket. my anti-lock system messed up while it was still under warranty and was fixed but i had to replace the pads in november after only buying the car in april. it's march and i need new brakes again. the car was in the shop in the summer because it went dead while going down the interstate and had to be towed in. it was still under warranty so they fixed it at no charge. it seems to me that since this car doesn't even have 50,000 miles on it that it shouldn't be falling apart like it is.

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle at approximately 50 mph. upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. driver sustained head injury from hitting front windshield. dealer notified. *ak

Consumer was traveling 40-45 mph and steering wheel locked up. consumer couldn't straighten out wheel & vehicle spun around & hit concrete wall. also, airbag didn't deploy until about a minute after vehicle had hit concrete wall. *ak

Consumer suffered an eye injury from a later deploying airbag, while sitting in the front passenger seat.(attorney kevin o'dell on behalf of client)*jb

While vehicle was parked overnight owner found the driver's and passenger's airbags deployed without any frontal impact. dealer inspected vehicle, and said it was an undercarriage impact that caused the deployment. but vehicle itself was not involved in any impacts. please provide further information. *ak

False deployment of driver and passenger airbag during minimal impact. nlm

Hit a cement parking block at 2mph and the airbags deployed-contacted customer service at chevy(most unprofessional) they said airbags were to deploy with frontal crash-they would not give any other information. ran around for 14 days. was told that a pothole or a speedbump could set them off at the right angle. 2500 dollars to replace.

While parking in a parking space driver pulled out to make sure vehicle was in correctly and bumped the barrier, air bags deployed, causing some scratches to driver's right arm. *ak

Other 1999 Chevrolet Malibu Problem Categories