This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Malibu airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 52 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 74,863 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Malibu | 48 |
| 2010 Malibu | 106 |
| 2011 Malibu | 67 |
| 2012 Malibu | 73 |
| 2013 Malibu (this page) | 52 |
| 2014 Malibu | 8 |
| 2015 Malibu | 45 |
| 2016 Malibu | 10 |
| 2017 Malibu | 8 |
13crashes
17injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 52 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.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 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 ↗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 System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main categories of airbag failure on the 2013 Malibu: warning-light-only issues and actual non-deployment during crashes.
The warning light problem is the most common. It comes on randomly during normal driving or right after starting, often with zero accident history or obvious cause. A large subset ties the light to battery replacement or jump-starting—one dealer quoted $1,100 to replace the airbag module (SDM) after a jump start, and owners online call this a known pattern. When owners try to use salvage modules to save money, the vehicle rejects them with a different code and refuses to reprogram them. GM isn't making new modules for this model year, leaving owners with a broken airbag system and no path forward.
The deployment failures are more serious. Multiple owners report hitting something hard enough to require medical attention—head-on collisions, tree impacts at highway speed, guardrail hits—yet the airbags never deployed. One owner hit a tree head-on with frame damage and engine pushed back; another was in a 55 mph hit and got a message saying "airbag service" right at impact instead of deployment.
Sensor issues also show up: the passenger airbag light flashing with a 12 oz soda can on the seat, or staying illuminated after someone adjusts the seat. One owner documented that wiring harnesses get caught when you raise or lower the driver seat, and the dealer said it's a design flaw that could happen again.
A handful of owners also report rear seat airbags being creased by door panels that rest directly on them—a dealership check of new inventory on the lot found the problem on almost every Malibu.
Same Chevrolet Malibu airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Service Airbag Light Illumination (No Known Cause)
Airbag warning light comes on and stays on, with no prior accident or known trigger. Owners report the light appears randomly while driving or upon starting the vehicle, often without any collision history.
When: Varies; 25,000 to 142,000 miles reported; some cases shortly after purchase or within weeks of normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates on dashboard; Light remains continuously on; Light illuminates intermittently or flashes; Alarm sounds every 30 seconds in some cases
Codes mentioned: B101D, B3902
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote $940–$1,100 to replace airbag module (SDM) or control module. Some owners report dealer inability to resolve after repair attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners mention pending or incomplete recalls; one VIN noted not included in recall list despite similar models being recalled. Takata recall mentioned by one owner but question raised about applicability.
Airbag Light After Battery Replacement/Jump Start
Service airbag light illuminates immediately after battery replacement or after jump-starting a dead battery. Dealers attribute failure to airbag module needing replacement.
When: Occurs immediately following battery service; mileage varies (25,000–108,232 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light turns on after battery work; Light does not self-clear
Codes mentioned: B101D
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers estimate $940–$1,100 for airbag module replacement. Owners report the cost and labor substantial relative to battery service cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls cited; one owner asked if issue should trigger recall given frequency reported online.
Airbag Failure to Deploy in Collision
Airbags do not deploy during actual impact events (head-on, frontal, and side collisions at speeds ranging from 15 to 60+ mph). Owners sustained injuries as a result.
When: At time of collision; mileage at failure 15,000–111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact; Driver and passengers sustain injuries (concussions, head trauma, neck injury, fractured ankle, back pain); Airbag light may or may not be illuminated at time of crash
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs attempted in most cases; vehicles towed or deemed total loss in one instance. One owner notes failure to understand manufacturer or reason for non-deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One attorney noted involvement in head-on collision claim but no manufacturer response documented in narrative.
Passenger Airbag Sensor Oversensitivity
Passenger-side airbag sensor triggers warnings with minimal weight or pressure, such as a 12 oz soda can placed on seat or light seat adjustment. Passenger airbag light and seatbelt reminder illuminate inappropriately.
When: Occurs during light loading of seat or routine adjustment
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light illuminates with minimal weight on seat; Seatbelt reminder tone sounds with no occupant or light object on seat; Light activates and deactivates erratically
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer quoted over $1,000 for sensor replacement.
Airbag Harness Wiring Damage During Seat Adjustment
Airbag wiring harness shears or gets caught in seat adjustment mechanism, particularly the driver-side seat. Issue repeats after repair and dealer confirms faulty design engineering.
When: Occurs during raising/lowering of driver seat over time; one owner reported issue recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates; Wiring damage confirmed upon inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair performed; one owner charged deductible under extended warranty. Dealer advised issue could recur due to design flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall existed but did not include complainant's VIN despite same model year and issue.
Rear Seat Airbag Creasing and Material Damage from Door Panel Interference
Rear door panel rests directly on rear seat side airbags, causing creasing and rubbing that may perforate the airbag material. Dealership service manager reported never seeing issue before; check of new inventory revealed similar problem on almost all Malibus on lot.
When: Develops over approximately 6 months of normal door opening/closing
Symptoms owners cite: Visible crease in rear seat airbag; Rubbing and potential hole formation in airbag material from door panel friction; Door panel contact with airbag
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; concern raised about consequences if material is breached.
Airbag Deployment Without Impact (Spontaneous)
Driver and passenger airbags deploy without any collision or impact. Vehicle was parked in garage for two weeks before incident occurred during normal driveway operation.
When: After vehicle sat parked for two weeks; approximately 111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver and passenger airbags deploy with no impact or warning; No injuries reported
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer not diagnosed or repaired; vehicle left in unknown state.
Passenger Airbag Module Malfunction and Programming Incompatibility
After battery replacement, passenger presence system module requires replacement (code B101D). When salvage module installed, vehicle refuses to accept it due to environmental identifier mismatch (code B3902), and GM has not produced new compatible modules for this model. Consumer locked out of airbag repair via OEM parts.
When: Triggered after battery replacement; approximately 108,232 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates; Module programming incompatible with salvage parts; New OEM modules unavailable in US market
Codes mentioned: B101D, B3902
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available; dealership advised obtaining used module from salvage (which then fails programming). Consumer unable to complete repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has not released new modules or provided reprogramming solution; salvage modules rejected by vehicle electronics.
Airbag Light After Repair Work (Dealer-Related)
Airbag light illuminates after repair work performed at body shop or dealership (passenger door replacement, body work following collision). Repair shop unable to resolve; claims light should self-clear or relates to prior damage.
When: Immediately or shortly after repair work completed
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates after collision repair; Light does not self-clear as promised by technician
Repairs/costs cited: Maaco body shop unable to fix; referred to insurance. Owner left with unresolved warning light and told to prove causation to insurance.
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and "service air bag soon" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 52 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 45,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 74,863. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2013/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.