Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes serious enough to total the vehicle and injure occupants. We see rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and side-impact T-bones at speeds ranging from 17 mph to 70 mph where zero or partial deployment occurred. One owner hit a guardrail head-on hard enough to total the car—side airbags went off but front airbags did not. Another had a head-on collision at 35–45 mph with injuries including broken bones in the face, neck, and back; airbags never activated. A third was rear-ended hard enough to total the Cruze; none of the six or eight airbags deployed, and the owner's face hit the steering wheel.
On the flip side, some owners report airbags deploying spontaneously without any collision—side airbags going off just from entering the vehicle. One owner had all airbags deploy despite the passenger seat airbag switch being set to off.
Multiple owners have received recall notices (Campaigns 14V372000, 23V870000, 23V674000) but cannot get repairs because dealers say parts are not available. Some have been waiting months or over a year with no timeline. Owners also report service airbag warning lights staying on for years with no resolution, even after dealer visits.
One case documents conflicting sensor data after a non-collision airbag event: the inspection report showed inconsistent rollover-detection readings and a weight sensor incorrectly identifying a 265-pound adult as a small adult.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag does not deploy in collision
Airbags fail to activate during crashes severe enough to total the vehicle or cause significant injury to occupants. Owners report striking other vehicles, guardrails, utility poles, and parked vehicles at speeds ranging from 17 to 70 mph with zero or partial airbag deployment.
When: During collision events; mileage ranges from 2,000 to 186,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during rear-end collision; No front airbag deployment despite head-on crash; Side airbags fail to deploy in T-bone impact; Zero airbags deployed in high-speed collision; Partial deployment with airbag failing to fully inflate
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were either totaled or towed; some dealers indicated airbags needed replacement but did not complete repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 14V372000 issued for airbag malfunction; Campaign 23V870000 and 23V674000 issued but parts unavailable for extended periods (months to years)
Airbag deploys without collision impact
Airbags activate spontaneously during normal driving or when entering the vehicle with no accident or impact event occurring. Owners report side airbags and other restraints deploying unprompted.
When: While driving or entering vehicle; one report at 29,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbags deployed while entering vehicle without any impact; Airbags deployed while driving without impact or warning; Unintended deployment with no collision
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer informed airbags needed to be replaced; no repair completed in one reported case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case reported to manufacturer; no recall action mentioned for this specific issue
Airbag deploys improperly during collision
Airbags activate during crashes but malfunction by deploying at incorrect timing, failing to fully inflate, or with conflicting sensor data causing deployment outside manufacturer specifications. One case involved all airbags deploying despite passenger seat switch being set to off position.
When: During collision events; one reported at over 7 years prior (2013 event, 2014 model year)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed but failed to inflate properly; Both airbags deployed despite three-second delay between deployments; Airbag deployment outside manufacturer standards; Passenger airbag deployed when seat switch set to off; Conflicting sensor data on deployment sequence
Repairs/costs cited: One case: GM paid for medical fees and repairs; airbag sensor replacement may be needed based on inspection reports
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM sent inspector and issued free repair offer; one case involved NHTSA Campaign 14V372000
Service airbag light illuminated; defect confirmed
Service airbag warning light remains on persistently or cycles on and off, indicating an active airbag system malfunction. One case confirmed by independent mechanic as airbag system defect; another case shows light flashing repeatedly with no dealer remedy found.
When: Light appears intermittently or remains on; one case at 167,000 miles; another at time unknown with multi-year duration
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light stays on for extended period; Airbag light flashing on and off multiple times; Service airbag indicator appears after collision; Light remains on continuously
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed defect in airbag system; one case checked by dealer who confirmed no recalls on VIN despite warning light; replacement airbags needed per some dealer assessments
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer confirmed no recalls on VIN despite light illumination; recall notifications (23V870000, 23V674000, 14V372000) issued but parts unavailable or no recall showing in dealer system
Recall repair delayed indefinitely; parts unavailable
Owners receive airbag recall notices but dealers cannot complete repairs for months or years because manufacturer has not supplied replacement parts. Multiple owners report being told to wait with no timeline or loaner vehicle offered, while driving vehicles deemed unsafe by their own safety notices.
When: Months to years after recall notification; one owner waited 7 months with no remedy
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable; Dealer repeatedly states parts not ready; No timeline provided for parts availability; Vehicle unsafe per recall notice but owner forced to continue driving; Multiple dealer contacts yield same answer: parts not available; No loaner vehicle offered despite safety concern
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs pending parts supply; VIN tool confirms parts not available in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaigns 14V372000, 23V870000, and 23V674000 issued; owners instructed to contact dealer asap due to increased injury risk, but parts have not been supplied to dealers for extended periods
Seat belt failure or malfunction during airbag event
Seat belts fail to tighten or lock during collision, or jam and become inoperable after airbag deployment. In one case, seat belt did not tighten during crash; in another, driver seat belt jammed and would not unhook after minor impact.
When: During collision events
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt did not tighten during high-speed collision; Seat belt jammed and would not unhook after accident; Seat belts not properly securing occupants
Repairs/costs cited: One jammed seat belt noted as needing service; no repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for seat belt failures
Smoke and electrical anomalies following collision
After collision impact, interior components smoke and electrical systems malfunction. One case involved headliner and driver seat smoking with sulfur odor; service airbag light appeared; vehicle would not start.
When: Immediately following rear-end collision
Symptoms owners cite: Headliner and driver seat began smoking after impact; White, grey smoke with sulfur smell; Service airbag light appeared on display; Flashers/hazards came on automatically; Vehicle would not start
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; smoke and electrical issues documented but not repaired per narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.