Recall 16V870 affects 113 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles for weak rear side air bag inflator welds. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 113 2017 Malibu vehicles because the right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold can have insufficient welds. In a crash, the inflator can separate and send air bag debris into the cabin or fail to inflate, which increases the risk of injury; Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The right-hand rear side air bag in the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is built into the rear side of the cabin to help protect an occupant in a side impact. Inside that module, the inflator is the metal gas generator that fills the air bag when the crash sensor commands deployment. The manifold is the welded section that routes that gas into the bag.
On the affected Malibus, the inflator manifold was built with an incorrect off-seam inboard weld. That means the weld was not placed where it was designed to be, leaving the manifold with insufficient weld strength. During deployment, pressure inside the inflator can rupture the manifold instead of flowing into the air bag as intended. Replacement side air bag modules use inflators from outside the suspect lot.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is inside the right-hand rear side air bag module, so an owner will not see, hear, or feel it during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | side air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 113 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Chevrolet Malibu sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In NHTSA campaign 16V870, insufficient welds on the rear side air bag inflator can let the inflator separate and send air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. The inflator also can fail to inflate in a crash, increasing injury risk. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free right-hand rear side air bag module replacement for the insufficient inflator-manifold welds.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V870 and Chevrolet recall 16146 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra following distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the rear side air bag modules covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Repairs already paid for are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the covered vehicles are under warranty. Ask the Chevrolet service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| November 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 2, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 25, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V870?
Recall 16V870 covers 113 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles with right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifolds that have insufficient welds. Chevrolet dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Malibu is included in recall 16V870. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule replacement of the rear side air bag modules. Reference recall number 16V870 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 16V870, Chevrolet dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules free of charge at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is air bag failure or debris entering the cabin during a crash. Insufficient welds can let the inflator separate and send air bag debris toward occupants, or keep the inflator from filling the air bag as designed.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Malibu used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is included, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall number 16V870.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V870000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V870 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V870000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →