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B0081 on CHEVROLET MALIBU

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2008, 2015

What B0081 Means on Your CHEVROLET MALIBU

Real CHEVROLET MALIBU Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"A few weeks ago my wife was driving here 2008 malibu and she smelled a slight burning and very strong chemical odor in the car, shortly after that the service warning light came on for the air bag system. windows had to be opened for the remainder of the 30 minute trip."

— 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU owner • AIR BAGS • Filed 10/27/2016

"The service airbag light came on and too the car to the dealer. dealer stated that the code was "diag sir b0081 (71) pss1 invalid data received pps/3025". dealer stated that the passenger airbag may, or may not work properly in the case of an accident."

— 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU owner • AIR BAGS • Filed 01/08/2013

"Every time i turn on my car, it states service airbag with an exclamation point, codes c0196, c0186, c0287, b101d, b0081"

— 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU owner • AIR BAGS • Filed 06/01/2017

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of B0081 on CHEVROLET MALIBU

100%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2008
2
2015
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

B0081 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026