10.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
48,000 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (3 reports)
seat belts / air bags problem
Helpful Websites About 2005 Chevrolet Malibu air bags failed to deploy
2008Feb 23
Malibu LS 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
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Complaint Photos
We purchased a 2005 Malibu LS because the 5 star crash test rating and we had teens ready to drive. My 16 year old daughter rear ended me and it caused $8,000 worth of damage to her front end yet no air bags deployed. It was a direct hit, she went over my bumper and into my trunk shoving me into the car in front of me when I was at a dead stop. It caused $10,000 worth of damage to my 2005 Malibu LT and I had no airbags deploy either. GM assured me it was angle, speed, and changed of direction that determined it and it was not meant to deploy - besides nobody got hurt. They did nothing about it at the time and then in July the Malibu LT was in a rollover accident - it rolled twice at 55 mph and was totaled but none of the 6 air bags deployed. GM says that they aren't meant to deploy on a rollover - WOW what a bunch of bull! That isn't the safety they sold me when I bought the two cars!
2008Jul 20
Malibu LT 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
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Complaint Photos
My 2005 Malibu LT was involved in two accidents with no air bags deploying either time. The first accident (picture 3) I was hit from the rear while at a dead stop and shoved into the car in front of me hard enough to cause $ 10,000 damage to my car yet no front air bags deployed. In July my daughter rolled the Malibu twice at 55 mph and totaled the car (picture 1 &2) and none of the 6 air bags deployed. GM said the first accident wasn't enough to deploy the airbags and nobody was hurt so it was mute. Their response to the second crash was that those airbags don't deploy on a rollover only on a side impact. Gee, hitting the gravel road at 55 mph with the side of the doors smashed in would count - guess not! Does anyone else out there think this is strange when you purchase a car with 6 airbags to protect you and they only work if hit just right? I have seen someone kick a bumper and get an airbag to deploy! We were lucky that none of the three teens in the car were seriously hurt! One passenger was thrown out the window and the other stayed in the car. They all received cuts and bruising but broke no bones! I can be thankful God was protecting them because GM wasn't!
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your seat belts / air bags problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 02
Malibu Maxx
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Complaint Photos
I lost control of my car after hitting black ice. I hit a telephone pole going 29-39 miles per hour directly in the middle of the hood. My car was totaled. I broke my nose, received 8 stitches on my nose, and broke my sternum. I was out of work for 6 weeks. I am still sore 9 weeks later. My airbags did not deploy. I had my seat belt on and have no idea how my face hit the steering wheel, but it did. I contacted Chevy about 5 weeks ago and have not heard what the problem was. They did send someone out to talk to me and got all the related documents, but I have not heard any verdict. If an airbag is not supposed to deploy when you hit a telephone pole dead on at 30 miles an hour.....when is it to go off!!!
Dena M.
Springfield, PA, USA
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