Recall 18V400 affects 66 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles with miscalibrated passenger seat sensors. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 66 2016-2018 Malibu vehicles under recall 18V400 because a Passenger Presence System installed during service was not correctly calibrated to the seat type. That error can misread an adult or child passenger and cause improper front passenger air bag deployment in a crash; Chevrolet dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger presence system in a 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu is the seat sensor system that helps decide whether the front passenger air bag should be on or off. It reads the passenger seat and classifies the person in that seat, so the air bag responds differently for an adult than for a child.
The problem starts when a replacement passenger presence system installed during service was calibrated for the wrong seat type. A data-entry error reversed the service part numbers for the replacement systems, which let a vented-seat sensor be installed on a non-vented seat, or the reverse. With the wrong calibration, the system can misread the front passenger and either suppress the air bag when it should deploy or enable it when it should stay off.
The warning sign is the passenger air bag status indicator. It can show "ON" for a child in the front passenger seat or "OFF" for a larger child or adult.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years, all tied to the same air bag system.
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | air bag system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | air bag system |
| Units affected | 66 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the front passenger air bag can deploy incorrectly and increase the risk of injury. Treat an ON light with a child in the front seat, or an OFF light with a larger child or adult, as a sign the system is not reading the passenger correctly. Schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free Passenger Presence System seat service kit replacement that corrects the front passenger air bag sensing problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V400 when you call.
- Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 with questions about the repair or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the front passenger Passenger Presence System seat service kit. This is the part that helps the vehicle identify the front passenger seat occupant and control the passenger air bag response. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related PPS seat service repair, GM's reimbursement plan covers qualifying owner-paid repairs. Ask Chevrolet customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 14, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 14, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 14, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 7, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V400?
Recall 18V400 covers 66 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles with a Passenger Presence System that was not calibrated to the seat type. The system can misclassify the front passenger, which can cause improper air bag deployment and increase injury risk in a crash.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Malibu is included in recall 18V400. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule replacement of the front passenger PPS seat service kit. Reference recall number 18V400 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Chevrolet dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit free of charge, and Chevrolet customer service is available at 1-800-222-1020.
Is it safe to drive my Chevrolet Malibu before the recall repair?
This recall does not carry a do-not-drive instruction. The safety risk is tied to improper front passenger air bag deployment in a crash. Confirm your VIN, schedule the free dealer repair, and ask the Chevrolet service desk for guidance if you are concerned about carrying a front-seat passenger.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V400000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V400 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V400000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →