Recall 19V019 affects 1,145 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles for an overpressurized driver air bag inflator. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 1,145 2010-2011 Malibu vehicles because the driver frontal air bag inflator can explode during a crash deployment. Metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death; Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag inflator in the 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu is the metal canister inside the steering-wheel air bag module. In a crash that calls for the driver air bag, the inflator creates gas that fills the bag quickly. The inflator has to build pressure, then stay contained while the air bag cushions the driver.
On affected Malibus, the inflator came from a suspect manufacturing lot. During deployment, that inflator can overpressurize and rupture. Instead of only filling the air bag, the inflator body can burst during the crash event. Chevrolet says the replacement part does not contain an inflator from that suspect lot.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem happens only during a crash severe enough to deploy the driver frontal air bag, so normal driving does not give the owner a sound, light, or change in feel to watch for.
Who's affected?
Includes the 2010 and 2011 Malibu model years, both tied to the same driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2010 Chevrolet Malibu | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Malibu | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,145 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
An exploding driver air bag inflator can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before the inflator ruptures, so confirm the VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free front driver air bag module replacement for the overpressurized driver frontal air bag inflator.
- Bring the owner notice if Chevrolet sent one. If not, reference recall number 19V019 and Chevrolet recall N182206630 when you call.
- Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-522-9559 if the dealer needs help confirming the recall or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the front driver air bag module covered by the recall. The replacement part and labor are free. GM has already notified owners for this campaign. If you already paid for a related driver air bag module repair before the recall work was completed, GM's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the Chevrolet service desk so they can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 21, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| December 21, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 16, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| February 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V019?
Recall 19V019 covers 1,145 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles with a driver frontal air bag inflator that can explode during a crash deployment because of overpressurization. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Chevrolet dealers replace the front driver air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Malibu is included in recall 19V019. If it is, call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and schedule the front driver air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 19V019 or Chevrolet recall number N182206630 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, and Chevrolet dealers replace the front driver air bag module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Is it safe to drive my Chevrolet Malibu before the repair?
This recall does not tell owners to stop driving, but the defect is serious. If the driver frontal air bag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Malibu used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Chevrolet did not have your current address when notices were mailed, check your VIN and call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall number 19V019.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V019000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-522-9559 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V019 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V019000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →