This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems
critical 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
1fire
8injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 45 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. UPDATED ON 12/13/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu airbag system exhibits a broad range of failures across 45 complaints. Most common is the persistent or intermittent "Service Air Bag" warning light appearing between 44,000 and 113,000 miles, often without triggering stored diagnostic codes. When the light does activate, dealer diagnostics frequently identify a failed passenger presence sensor or steering column sensor, with repair estimates ranging from $800 to over $1,700. Chevrolet has refused warranty coverage outside of warranty periods, citing no applicable recalls.
More serious: passenger seat occupancy sensors fail to detect occupied passengers, leaving the airbag flagged as non-functional in a crash scenario. One owner's passenger presence sensor physically burned and charred the seat cover material, emitting chemical fumes. Separately, owners report spontaneous airbag deployment without any impact—one incident at 65 mph injured all occupants with toxic fumes and airbag shards. Conversely, multiple owners describe total airbag failure in actual crashes: front-end collisions and guardrail strikes at highway speeds where airbags did not deploy, including one fatal incident. Steering column sensor failures, erratic warning light behavior in temperature extremes, and lack of fault codes despite persistent warnings add to the pattern of unreliable airbag system detection and deployment logic.
Same Chevrolet Malibu airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or constantly
The 'Service Air Bag' warning light comes on sporadically or stays permanently lit, often without a clear trigger. Owners report the light may turn on and off unpredictably, stay on while driving and turn off after restart, or remain constantly illuminated. The light sometimes appears in cold or hot weather.
When: As early as 44,687 miles; commonly reported between 53,000 and 113,000 miles; can occur within 24 hours of purchase or years into ownership (starting as early as 2009)
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Light comes on intermittently then turns off for periods; Light remains on constantly; Light cycles on and off while vehicle is running; Light appears to activate with no apparent cause while stationary or moving
Codes mentioned: B0081 Symptom 71 (Invalid data received from passenger presence sensor), B0081 (71) PSS1 Invalid Data Received PPS/3025, Code 56 (Defective passenger presence module)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic charges range from $89 to $1,700+; repairs include passenger seat sensor replacement ($800 for part plus $100–$150 labor), steering column sensor replacement, front impact sensor replacement, or harness replacement. One owner paid $825 after manufacturer prorated cost; others reported $1,386+ before proration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles; no recalls issued per owner reports; in one case, manufacturer agreed to prorate repair costs after owner called GM directly.
Passenger presence sensor malfunction or failure
The passenger seat occupancy sensor fails to detect occupants or incorrectly signals that the seat is empty when occupied. Owners report the passenger airbag indicator light shows 'off' even when a passenger is sitting in the seat, and dealers confirmed the sensor is not working properly.
When: Reported between 53,000 and 113,000 miles; one complaint at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light shows 'off' when passenger is seated; Passenger airbag on/off light turns off and on intermittently while occupied passenger (108 lbs) sits in seat; Service light indicates sensor cannot detect occupant; Dealer confirms passenger presence sensor not working and airbag would not deploy in a crash
Codes mentioned: B0081 Symptom 71, Code 56 (Defective passenger presence module)
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger seat sensor replacement required; one owner quoted $800 for part plus $100–$150 labor; another paid $825 after manufacturer prorated initial $1,386 estimate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles; manufacturer claimed no recalls available; GM agreed to prorate costs in at least one case when owner escalated to customer service.
Airbags deploy unexpectedly without impact or crash
Front driver and/or passenger airbags and curtain airbags deploy suddenly while the vehicle is being driven normally with no collision, impact, or debris strike. Occupants sustain injuries from airbag deployment and the chemical residue released.
When: Reported at 67,000 miles and 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver and passenger front airbags deploy while driving 65 mph with no collision; Driver and passenger curtain airbags deploy for no reason; Driver seat airbags deploy unexpectedly; Airbag warning lights illuminate coincident with deployment; Toxic fumes emitted from airbags after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer quoted approximately $5,000 for airbag replacement; dealer offered no further assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, manufacturer was not notified of the failure; dealer denied responsibility and offered no assistance.
Airbags fail to deploy in actual crashes
During front-end collisions and impact events, the airbags do not deploy at all. Owners report two separate front-end crashes and a guardrail strike where airbags remained non-functional.
When: Reported at 200,000 miles and mileage unknown at time of crash
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during front-end collision; Airbags do not deploy during guardrail strike at highway speed; No airbag deployment during crash that caused injuries (fatal injury reported in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle caught fire and exploded after guardrail strike; emergency services responded.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; in fatal crash case, owner reports no law enforcement notification or investigation.
Seat sensor shorts out or burns/chars
The passenger seat occupancy sensor overheats, shorts, and causes the seat cover material to char, discolor, and smolder. Owner reports circular pale yellow discoloration with central charred marks in seat cover material; seat foam and cover partially burned. Strong chemical odor and burning smell reported in cabin.
When: A few weeks prior to complaint; odor and warning light detected together
Symptoms owners cite: Strong chemical odor in cabin; Slight burning smell; Circular pale yellow discoloration with central charred mark on passenger seat cover; Seat cover material disintegrates upon touch; Foam beneath cover shows burn damage; Service Air Bag warning light illuminates
Codes mentioned: B0081 Symptom 71
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor shorted and caused smoldering; seat cover and foam damaged.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner sent report to NHTSA.
Steering column sensor and front impact sensor failures
Sensors mounted in the steering column or wheel areas fail, triggering airbag warning lights. Dealers advise replacement of steering column sensors and front driver and passenger wheel impact sensors.
When: Reported at 100,000 miles and 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light illuminates; Service Traction warning light illuminates together with airbag light
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column sensor and front driver and passenger wheel sensors require replacement (specific costs not provided).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage mentioned; no manufacturer assistance documented.
No diagnostic trouble codes despite warning light illumination
The service airbag warning light illuminates but diagnostic scans find no error codes. The light turns back on after being reset, suggesting an intermittent electrical fault that does not consistently register as a stored code.
When: Reported at unspecified mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light is on; Diagnostic scan shows no error codes; Light turns back on after being reset; Second diagnostic scan also shows no error code
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed due to lack of diagnostic codes; issue unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response; owners suggest issue should be subject to recall.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a serious issue. 45 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 104,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 104,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.