2004 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,697 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 81 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 19, 2004
SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BECAUSE OF AN ERRATIC REAR-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL, AND CAUSE ABS ACTIVATION WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED OR NEEDED ABS ACTIVATION TO BE EXTENDED DURING BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 3 MPH.
UNEXPECTED ABS ACTIVIATION COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE UP TO ABOUT 11 FEET DPENDING ON THE GRADE OF THE ROAD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V190000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageApr 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ANALYSIS OF AN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH TEST CONDUCTED BY THE NHTSA;S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) INDICATED THAT THE OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COULD DISCONNECT BECAUSE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE SEAT TRIM AND THE ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR WHEN THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED TO ITS LOWEST POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURRED IN A CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
DEALERS WILL INSERT A RETAINER ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S BELT ANCHORAGES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V188000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 24, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AORS) HAVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WITH AORS LABELS. THE AORS LABELS DO NOT INCLUDE STATEMENTS AND THE ILLUSTRATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 208 FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT AORS.
OWNERS WILL BE SENT REPLACEMENT LABELS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: seats
163 reports, newest first. Show all
Seat belts, Seats, Jul 30, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR HAS BROKE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT NOW COLLAPSES WHEN DRIVING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS NOT TO MENTION THE SEATBELT IS ATTACHED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND BUCKLED INTO IT WHICH IS NOW COLLAPSED WHICH COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ISSUE IF I WAS TO EVER GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE SOME REASEARCH ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONGSTS MOST 2004 MALIBU OWNERS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND I GET THE CAR IS CLOSE TO BEING 20 YEARS OLD BUT MINE ONLY HAS 60K MILES THE DRIVERS SEAT WELD SHOULD NOT JUST DETACH AND COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING ON A PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW CAR. NOT TO MENTION I AM AN AVERAGE SIZED MAN 200 LBS 5 FOOT 7 ON TOP OF THAT I ENQUIRED TO FIX IT AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND IT WILL COST WELL OVER 1000 DOLLARS BASED ON A VERBAL ESTIMATE. I CAN JERRY RIG THE SEAT TO NOT COLLAPSE BUT THAT DOESNT STOP THE FACT THAT GOD FORBID IM IN AN ACCIDENT MY DRIVERS SEAT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME DETACHED HURLING MYSELF AND THE SEAT INTO THE WINDOW CAUSING SEVERE BODLY HARM OR WORSE DEATH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS IM SURE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM IT IS A FAULTY WELD IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER CHEVROLET
Seats, Mar 21, 2019
THE 6 WAY FRONT DRIVERS SEAT HAS FAILED 6 TIMES SINCE 2006. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 3/15/2019. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2007. THE WELDS THAT SUPPORT THE FRAME BREAK AND I HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT 3 TIMES, WELDED 3 TIMES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AFTER HITTING A BUMP AND CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I AM REPORTING THIS NOW AS THE DEALERS IGNORE THIS AS AN ISSUE AND JUST WANT OVER A $1000 TO REPLACE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN. NHTSA IS MY LAST HOPE THAT LIVES WILL BE SAVED. THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM AS THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT.
Steering, Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 3, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2004 MALIBU DOES NOT HAVE WORKING CRUISE CONTROL , MY WIRING IS BARELY WORKING AS IN MY LOCKS WON'T WORK , MY HEAT WE ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR ON DEFROST MY DEFROST BARELY CLEARS MY WINDOWS , MY T\C LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND I BARELY HAVE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING IF I'M TRYING TO ACCELERATE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY MY WHEEL WILL LOCK OR BARELY MOVE AND I HAVE TO LET COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS TO FREE THE WHEEL I GET ANY ALERTS ON MY SPEEDOMETER. *TR
Seats, Dec 19, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN AND DIPS DOWN IN FRONT AND TO THE RIGHT. IT'S LIKE A BRACKET UNDER THE SEAT IS BROKEN. IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE EVERY TIME I LEAN FORWARD, MY SEAT DROPS DOWN IN THE FRONT WHICH COULD AFFECT MY DRIVING. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY MALIBUS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. *TR
Seats, Nov 26, 2016
POWER DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WELD BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO WOBBLE AND NOT ATTACHED TO MOUNTS. CRASH WOULD NOT BE SAFE BECAUSE SEAT COULD SEPARATE. A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS A RECALL. SEAT BROKE LOSE ENTERING CAR
Electrical system, Seats, Jul 9, 2016
2004 MALIBU LT, WELD ON RT FRONT OF 6 WAY DRIVER SEAT BROKEN, SEAT MOTOR RUNS BUT CAN NOT MAKE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. THE SEAT SAGS TO RIGHT WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACK. BUT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACK ON THE SEAT FRAME.
Seats, Jun 23, 2016
FRONT DRIVERS POWER SEAT FRAME WELD BROKE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING THE SEAT TO DROP AND WOBBLE. NOT SAFE WITH A SEAT NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED TO SEAT TRACK
Seats, Apr 14, 2016
THE WELD ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE.
Seats, Apr 5, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN. THE ADJUSTER ONLY RAISES THE LEFT SIDE. IN SPEAKING WITH OTHER MALIBU OWNERS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH THE SEDAN AND MAXX VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE.
Seats, Mar 9, 2016
HAD BEEN NOTICING PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING SAG IN SEAT OVER PAST WEEK. GOT IN CAR THIS EVENING AND FELT SEAT KIND OF POP. SEAT NOW SAGS TO BACK AND TO RIGHT. FOUND BROKEN BRACKET ON RIGHT FRONT OF DRIVER SEAT FRAME; PARTLY BROKEN WELD AND PARTLY "RIPPED" METAL.
Seats, Feb 8, 2016
SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN. HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION.
Seats, Jan 22, 2016
FIRST NOTICED DRIVER SEAT WOUL LEAN TO ONE SIDE IN 2005, DEALER WELDED SEAT BRACKET TO REPAIR BRACKET. NOTICED SAME PROBLEM IN 2007. DEALER REPLACED BRACKET. NOTICED PROBLEM AGAIN IN 2010. WITH WARRANTY EXPIRED WE'VE BEEN DRIVING EVER SINCE. BRACKET IS NOW COMPLETELY OFF TRACK AND WILL NOT ADJUST, FINALLY DECIDED TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD COST TOO REPLACE. AM NOW FINDING OUT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. LOOKS LIKE BUYING A NEW BRACKET WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX.
Seats, Jan 15, 2016
THE FRONT DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT SAGS TO DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT. BAR ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF FRONT SEAT NEAR MOTOR AS BROKEN RIGHT NEAR THE WELD.RIGHT BEFORE WHERE IT BOLTS DOWN. CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND.
Seats, Dec 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME WELDS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE SEAT FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,360. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ
Seats, Nov 13, 2015
NOTICED DRIVER SEAT WAS TILTED TO THE RIGHT WHEN SITTING ON IT RECENTLY. INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND SAW A WELD THAT LOOKS BROKEN. BROKEN METAL BAR (IMAGE ATTACHED). LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED. HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T919217-DISCUSS2004_CHEVY_MALIBU_MAXX_BROKEN_POWER_SEAT.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU_MAXX/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS-4.SHTML DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST ABOUT $1000 BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE IF I'M IN A CRASH AND THE SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY FASTENED TO THE CAR.
Seats, Aug 25, 2015
ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK IT SNAPPED AND DROPPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CLOSEST TO THE CENTER COLUMN. DRIVER;S SEAT NOW TILTS TOWARDS THE RIGHT. MECHANIC SAID IT WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION. UPON READING NHTSA REVIEWS BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME INCIDENT. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Seats, Aug 1, 2015
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME WELD ON THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER HAS BROKEN AND THE SEAT TILTS TO THE SIDE.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2015
UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT WHERE A SMALL PIPE CONNECTING THE SEAT TO THE RAILS BROKE OFF AT THE WELD. THIS MADE THE DRIVER SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING. IT'S VERY UNSTABLE! IT WILL BE A CAUSE OF DEATH OR INJURY SINCE THE SEAT BELT IS PART OF THE SYSTEM. UPON CLOSER LOOK, IT APPEARS THE JOB WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. POOR WELDING AND POOR WORKMANSHIP IS VERY OBVIOUS UPON INSPECTION. A QUICK SEARCH IN THE INTERNET SHOWS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHEVY MALIBU. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT POSES DANGER TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC.
Seats, Jul 2, 2015
DRIVER'S SEAT RAIL BROKE. SEAT TILTS TOWARDS CONSOLE, NOT ALLOWING PROPER SEAT POSITIONING AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH.
Seats, Jul 1, 2015
FRAME ON DRIVERS SEAT FAILED WHILE ADJUSTING SEAT. SEAT NO LONGER FIRMLY ATTACHED TO FRAME, RISK OF GOING THROUGH WINDSHIELD IN FRONT END CRASH SINCE SEAT NO LONGER ATTACHED.
Electrical system, Seats, May 26, 2015
WHILE DRIVING I5 NORTH I ADJUSTED MY ELECTRONIC FRONT SEAT FOR MORE COMFORT, AND WHEN I DID I FOUND THE SEAT MOVING CLOSER TO THE DASH BOARD, I COULDN'T STOP IT OR REVERSE IT SO I FRANTICALLY WENT FROM THE FAST LANE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ALMOST CRASHING INTO SOMEONE. WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND MYSELF ALMOST TRAPPED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT MY LEGS WERE ALMOST JAMMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASH BOARD AND THE ELECTRONIC SEAT NON RESPONSIVE. WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS THAT THE SWITCH HAD COME OFF THE CONTROL KNOBS AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY FORWARD AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. SOMEBODY SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS BUT THERE SHOULD BE.
Seats, May 25, 2015
I HAVE OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX FOR A COUPLE YEARS. RECENTLY THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED WOBBLING AND NOW SITS UNCOMFORTABLY CROOKED LEANING TO THE RIGHT. I HAD MY MECHANIC TAKE THE WHOLE SEAT OUT TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HE SAID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR HAD BROKEN IN 2 PLACES. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIX IT SAFELY FOR SEVERAL REASONS. HE SAID THAT THE MATERIALS FOR THE FRAME WERE WEAK AND INADEQUATE. HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WELD BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO DO IT WITHOUT POSSIBLY STARTING THE SEAT ON FIRE. HE ALSO BROUGHT UP THE FACTS THAT IF A SEAT WASN'T SECURELY BOLTED TO THE FLOOR AND WAS LOOSE THAT IN A FRONT END CRASH THE SEAT WOULD THROW THE DRIVER FORWARD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAG "MIGHT" HELP SLIGHTLY. OR - IF YOU WERE HIT FROM THE REAR WITH THE SEAT LOOSE THE SEAT WOULD COLLAPSE BACKWARD AND THROW THE DRIVER TO THE REAR OF THE CAR OR POSSIBLY THROUGH THE REAR WINDSHIELD. EITHER SITUATION COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO A DRIVER WITH THIS SITUATION. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE WHOLE SEAT BUT WHY WOULD I SPEND THE POSSIBLE $900 AND END UP WITH A SEAT WITH THE SAME INADEQUATE, WEAK FRAME ONLY TO BREAK AGAIN. THE SEAT BROKE BECAUSE OF CHEAP, WEAK, INADEQUATE MATERIALS THAT WERE USED. IT DID NOT HAPPEN FROM WEAR AND TEAR OR ABUSE. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. I HOPE OTHERS READING THIS COMPLAINT WILL PURSUE THIS ISSUE WITH GM UNTIL A RECALL HAPPENS, AND BEFORE ANY OF US ARE KILLED!
Seats, May 24, 2015
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT RECENTLY HAS STARTED UNCOMFORTABLY LEANING TO THE RIGHT AND SHIFTNG BACK AND FORTH. I WAS JUST INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT SEAT DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKEN. HE DID NOT RECOMMEND TRYING TO FIX IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT BY BREAKING IT HAS AFFECTED THE WHOLE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME. HE ADVISED ME TO GET A NEW SEAT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES IF BEING IN ACCIDENT OR CRASH. HE SAID THE SEAT COULD COME ALL THE WAY LOOSE AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO FLY FORWARD AND SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURY. ALSO, IT COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE PREMATURELY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GM DO A RECALL DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. AND BY DOING RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MALIBU OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR CAR SEAT FRAMES BREAK. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DUE TO ABUSE OR EXTENDED WEAR. IT IS DUE TO AN INADEQUATE, DEFECTIVE PART. I NEED ADVICE AS TO HOW TO PROCEED WITH ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH GM. THANK YOU.
Seats, May 22, 2015
POWER DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT A WELD. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I STARTLED ME AND I SWERVED ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THE SEAT FRAME BREAKING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AT A WELD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BECAUSE THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. ALSO - I BELIEVE THE SEATBELT IS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE OF VARYING SIZES/WEIGHTS. EVEN A SMALLER, 125LB WOMAN HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN.
Power train, Electrical system, Seats, May 17, 2015
REPORTING MULTIPLE ISSUES. INCREASED PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL WORK PERFORMED..ITEMS 2 AND 3. ITEM 1 FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE AND NO GM SOLUTION ON WHAT HAS BEEN A WIDE SPREAD PART QUALITY PROBLEM DOCUMENTED. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT EARLY ON FROM PURCHASE DEALER WELDED BREAK ONCE. BROKE AGAIN DRIVING WITH BROKEN SEAT NOW LEG NERVE BACK PROBLEMS. CONCERN ON SAFETY IF IN ACCIDENT A..NO RECALL WHY NO OPTION TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS OR SEAT WHY????? WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER STEERING WENT OUT REDUCED ACCELERATION DASHBOARD VARYING LIGHTS RANDOM VARIES OFF AND ON ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC. NO ABILITY TO RESTART. TOWED DEALER INDICATED NEED TO REPLACE GENERATOR AND BATTERY BOTH PERFORMED VEHICLE DRAINS UNABLE TO START JUMP START RUNS FAILS AGAIN LATER - NO SOLUTION PROBLEM STARTED AFTER DEALERSHIP RECALL WORK DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH RELATED TO RECALL WORK???? SITTING IN DRIVEWAY - DO WE TOW BACK TO DEALERSHIP THAT HAD US REPLACE THE GENERATOR AS AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE??? SELECTOR MALFUNCTION NOT WORKING SERVICED NOW NO ABILITY TO USE LOW GEAR SELECTION PUSH BUTTON. STAYS ON 3 WHY AGAIN RELATED TO RECALL WORK PERFORMED??? SOME SENSATIONS OF SLIPPAGE BETWEEN GEARS AS WELL. WHY?? LIKE THE VEHICLE AND WANT IT TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE AND KEEP IN SERVICE. LOYAL GM FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS CONSIDERING CHANGING MANUFACTURERS. SATURN OWNER - NO LONGER AVAILABLE PONTIAC OWNER GRAND AM NO LONER AVAILABLE PONTIAC VIBE OWNER CHEVROLET BLAZER OWNER CHEVROLET CAMERO. CHEVROLET IMPALA OUR FAMILY LIST GOES ON. MORE DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE FAMILY LOYAL DROP DOWN BOX ON VEHICLE NEVER DISPLAYED.