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
Seats, Aug 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT DROPPED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REALLY THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AS THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SEAT INCIDENT. FIRST SEARCH ON GOOGLE BROUGHT UP THIS WEBSITE WHICH MAY BE OF CONCERN TO YOU. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS SINCERELY AND CONSULT WITH GM AND ISSUE A RECALL OR SOMETHING. THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF ITS NOT FIXED NOW. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AS WHEN I INSPECTED THE SUPPORT BAR IT WAS ONLY WELDED ON EITHER CORNER OF THE BRACKET HOLDING IT ON. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FULL AND PROPER WELD PLACED IN THIS LOCATION AS THEY HAD TO KNOW IT WOULD BE A HEAVY STRESS POINT. *TR
Seats, Aug 1, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ALONG A WINDING CURVY ROAD IN MY AREA AND REALIZED MY SEAT KEPT ROCKING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT EVERY TIME I WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE. IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. AFTER GETTING HOME MY HUSBAND TOOK A LOOK AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING BUT IT APPEARS ONE OF THE BOLTS IN THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT MUST BE BROKEN OR GONE AS THE SEAT WILL NOT MOVE IF LOWERED ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT ROCKS EXTENSIVELY THE HIGHER WE RAISE THE SEAT. THIS BECOMES A ISSUE FOR ME BOTH WAYS AS I NEED THE HIGHER SEAT TO SEE CLEARLY AND IF I DO RAISE IT THEN I AM AFRAID I WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE AROUND CORNERS ETC DUE TO THE ROCKING OF MY SEAT. TRYING TO GET INTO CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AND FIX BUT SERVICE DEPT IS BACKED UP. *TR
Seats, Jul 27, 2014
I GOT INTO MY CAR AND SAT DOWN AND SOMETHING UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT BROKE. LOOKS LIKE A SUPPORT BAR WELD CRACKED. NOW THE SEAT IS TIPPED TO THE RIGHT. IF I RAISE OR LOWER THE SEAT, ONLY THE LEFT SIDE GOES UP AND DOWN. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS ENOUGH STRENGTH HOLDING THE REST OF THE SEAT TOGETHER. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A RECALL, SINCE I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN FIND MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE, SO MY CASE IS FAR FROM ISOLATED. *JS
Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 22, 2014
WHAT CAN I SAY I HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT THIS CAR FOR THE LONGEST. I JUST WANT TO SAY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BULBS BURNING OUT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BREAKING AT THE WELD AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM I'M SURE GM KNEW ABOUT THIS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEAF EARS BOTH TO NHTSA AND GM. THE LAST TIME I MADE A COMPLAINT WAS IN MAY 2014 TO BOTH OF THEM ABOUT THE STEERING. GM AND NHTSA SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. EXACTLY 2 WEEKS LATER THE CEO OF GM COMES OUT TO SAY THE MALIBU MAXX IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL! I PAID TO HAVE MY STEERING WHEEL REPLACED IN 2007 BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACE AND I DID TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $800. NOW A BULLETIN WAS SENT OUT TO DEALERS IN 2005 ABOUT A KEY INSERT FOR ANY CUSTOMER WHO CAME IN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT POWER STEERING FAILURE, BUT THIS WAS NOT GIVEN TO ME AS A CHOICE. THEY WERE SURE I NEEDED THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, SO I DID. NOW THAT MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND I PAID, PERHAPS, UNNECESSARILY TO HAVE MY STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AS ANYONE KNOW THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS PART OF THE STEERING GM STILL DOES NOT WANT TO REIMBURSE ME MY MONEY BACK. I BOUGHT THE CADILLAC CATERA WHICH WAS DISCONTINUED DUE TO MANY RECALLS AND BECAUSE OF ALL MY COMPLAINTS GM GAVE ME $3000 TOWARD A NEW GM CAR, WHICH I APPLIED TO THE MALIBU MAXX. I WON'T PUT MY MONEY OR GIVEN CREDIT TOWARD A GM AGAIN, I'M THROUGH AND SINCE NEARLY HALF OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE GM OWNERS I AM GETTING THEM TO MAKE THEIR NEXT PURCHASE SOMETHING OTHER THAN AMERICAN MADE CARS. I MAKE SURE I TELL EVERYONE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE SO THEY WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT A COMPANY WHO DIDN'T WANT TO INVEST 90 CENTS TOPOSSIBLY FIX A PROBLEM PER CAR. *TR
Seats, Jul 17, 2014
SOMETHING IN THE SUPPORT BRACKETS OF THE FRONT SEAT SNAPPED, AND THE SEAT NOW TILTS TO THE SIDE AND ROCKS WHEN TURNING IN CORNERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 10, 2014
THE SEAT BELT DO NOT LOCK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AN ADJUSTS BY ITSELF YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE SEAT STILL. THE WELDING HAS COME APART FROM THE BASE. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE MELTING THE BULBS FOR THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHT. I JUST CAUGHT THAT LAST WEEKEND THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I LOOK AT THE BULB IT WAS MELTED WHICH COULD HAVE STARTED AN FIRE. I AM WAITING FOR THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL ON THE STERN NOW. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME FOR IT. I KEEP MY CAR UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING OIL AND WHATEVER NEED TO BE DONE I AM ON TOP OF IT. BUT I HAVE TO MANY SAFETY ISSUE WITH IT RIGHT. SEAT BELT, STERN,DRIVERS SEAT, HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY THAT THE ROTOR WARPS EVERY SIX MONTHS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 10, 2014
THE SEAT BELT DO NOT LOCK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AN ADJUSTS BY ITSELF YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE SEAT STILL. THE WELDING HAS COME APART FROM THE BASE. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE MELTING THE BULBS FOR THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHT. I JUST CAUGHT THAT LAST WEEKEND THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I LOOK AT THE BULB IT WAS MELTED WHICH COULD HAVE STARTED AN FIRE. I AM WAITING FOR THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL ON THE STERN NOW. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME FOR IT. I KEEP MY CAR UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING OIL AND WHATEVER NEED TO BE DONE I AM ON TOP OF IT. BUT I HAVE TO MANY SAFETY ISSUE WITH IT RIGHT. SEAT BELT, STERN,DRIVERS SEAT, HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY THAT THE ROTOR WARPS EVERY SIX MONTHS. *TR
Seats, Jul 9, 2014
UP UNTIL ALL THESE RECENT GM RECALLS CAME OUT, I HAD NEVER HAD THE NEED TO READ WHAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. NOW I AM AMONG THOSE WHO NOW HAVE A BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME THAT DRASTICALLY LEANS TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE. I AM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE, SO THE SEAT DOES NOT GET MOVED TO ACCOMMODATE OTHER DRIVERS. I WEIGH ABOUT 175#, SO MY WEIGHT SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE EITHER. SINCE THIS SEAT FRAME FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS, PERHAPS THIS SHOULD BE TREATED AS A SERIOUS ISSUE. (MY WIFE HAS A 2005 MALIBU MAXX LT AS WELL, SO NOW I'M WONDERING IF THIS SUDDEN POTENTIAL BREAKAGE IS GOING TO PLAGUE HER VEHICLE AND CATCH HER OFF GUARD AS IT DID TO ME). *TR
Seats, Jun 17, 2014
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN AND ROCKS TO THE REAR RIGHT. IT APPEARS THE WELD BROKE IN THE SEAT FRAME. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE SEAT HAS BROKEN. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS IN THE CHEVY MALIBU AND AM REQUESTING THAT GM ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SEAT IS NOT STABLE, ESPECIALLY DURING TURNING MANEUVERS. *TR
Seats, Jun 17, 2014
WHILE ADJUSTING DRIVERS POWER SEAT, HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME SEEMED TO FALL DOWN AS THE LEFT SIDE CONTINUED UPWARD...THE SEAT FRAME BROKE, APPARENTLY AT A WELD, AND NOW I CANNOT ADJUST THE SEAT UPWARD AT ALL AS IT JUST TILTS TO THE RIGHT AS IT RAISES. THE SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO SEAT FRAME AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS NO REASON TO EXPECT THEM TO WORK PROPERLY EITHER. I HAVE READ LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON ALL MALIBU MAXX'S BUT, FOR SOME REASON, THE RECALL THAT I READ ABOUT ONLY COVERS 2005 AND 2006 VEHICLES BUT THE 2004 IS IDENTICAL AND SUFFERS THE SAME PROBLEM....WHEN IS THE RECALL GOING TO BE ENLARGED TO COVER THIS PROBLEM AS THE POWERSTEERING RECALL HAS JUST BEEN? I JUST RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL BEING EXPANDED TO THE 2004 AND JUST IN TIME AS THE CAR HAS STARTED ALERTS. *TR
Seats, Jun 9, 2014
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN AND ROCKS TO THE REAR RIGHT. IT APPEARS THE WELD BROKE IN THE SEAT FRAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS IN THE CHEVY MALIBU AND WONDER WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED. *TR
Seats, May 28, 2014
THE WELD ON THE SUPPORT BEAM UNDERNEATH MY DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED AND BROKE. MY SEAT IS NOW TILTED TO THE RIGHT AND BOBBLES EVERY TIME I GO OVER A SPEEDUP OR TURN. I'M ALREADY DEALING WITH THE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING FAILURE IN WHICH THE WHEEL BECOMES UNABLE TO TURN FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND PARTS UNDER RECALL WON'T BE AVAILABLE TILL OCTOBER...WORST PURCHASE EVER, GET IT TOGETHER GM. *TR
Seats, Apr 16, 2014
I SAT DOWN IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP. THE SEAT IMMEDIATELY DROPPED DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT. THE WELD ON THE SEAT FRAME JUST SNAPPED CAUSING THE POWER SEAT FUNCTIONS TO NO LONGER WORK. SINCE THE SEAT WAS MOVED AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE AT THE TIME THE FRAME BROKE, THE BOLTS THAT REMOVE THE SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY COVERED AND NOT ACCESSIBLE. I AM STUCK WITH DRIVING A BROKEN/ UNSAFE/ UNMOVABLE SEAT OR PAYING OVER $1000 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE I WOULD BE WILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW SEAT BUT I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO FAITH THAT THE NEW SEAT WILL WORK FOR LONG, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING ABOUT SOME PEOPLE HAVING THEIR SEAT REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES (SPENDING OVER $2000 TOTAL) AND THEY'RE STILL DRIVING AROUND ON A BROKEN SEAT. WHEN ARE WE GETTING A RECALL?? THE POSTS DESCRIBING THIS ISSUE GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2005 AND IT SEEMS THAT GM JUST DOESN'T CARE. *TT
Seats, Apr 15, 2014
UPON RAISING MY POWER SEAT SOMETHING BROKE. THE MOTOR IS REALLY LOUD AND WHEN IT WENT UP THE LEFT SIDE DID NOT GO UP RIGHT AND THE SEAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT INTO THE CENTER CONSOLE, DOESNT FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE ANY SUPPORT UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. I AM SHORT AND I NEED TO SIT UP TO SEE OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I NOW CANNOT. SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED TO SEAT FRAME AND IF IM IN AN ACCIDENT I FEEL THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT HELP. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS SAME YEAR. *TT
Seats, Apr 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN BAR THAT WAS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND WOBBLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BRACKET BROKE. UPDATED 06/30/14
Steering, Power train, Seats, Apr 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SEAT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,987 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 09/26/2014*LJ UPDATED 02/27/2015 *JS
Seats, Mar 29, 2014
THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX CAUSING IT TO LEAN AND TILT BACK TO THE RIGHT TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE. IT HAS THE 6-WAY POWER SEAT. THE 58,795 IS LESS THAN AVERAGE FOR THE AGE OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE SEAT BELT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME OF THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD HAVE THIS ON A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Seats, Mar 8, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SEAT COLLAPSED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED THE UP AND DOWN SWITCH TO NO AVAIL. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SEAT WOULD NOT RAISE AND I HAVE TO DRIVE IN AN AKWARD POSITION. WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1050 WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. I AM CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS WAY. I JUST RECENTLY LOOKED ON THE COMPUTER AND SEE THAT THEIR ARE MANY, MANY COMPAINTS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU PEOPLE, NHTSA, HAVE NOT CONSIDERED THIS A PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE. IS GM TOO BIG OR DO THEY OFFER A GOOD SPIFF. TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE. BECAUSE OF YOU MANY PEOPLE MAY GET INJURED OR DIE. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Equipment, Jan 16, 2014
IN JUNE THE DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN LISTING TO THE RIGHT AND ROCKING. THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT IS A BROKEN WELD AND QUOTED ME $800.00 TO FIX IT. THEN IN SEPT OF 2012 I WAS TRYING TO MANEUVER OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. IT WAS REALLY SCARY, IT TOOK ALL MY MIGHT TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT WAS OKAY AND MY MECHANIC DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. ALSO THE CD PLAYER NO LONGER WILL LOAD UP CDS ALTHOUGH THE OTHER FUNCTIONS AND INFO ON THE LITTLE SCREEN WORK. ALSO THE SIDE MIRRORS NO LONGER CAN BE ADJUSTED IN THE VERTICAL PLANE ALTHOUGH THEY STILL MOVE HORIZONTALLY. *TR
Seats, Dec 12, 2013
THE DRIVERS SEAT UPON ADJUSTING SAGGED TO THE LEFT AND THE SEAT BASE MOVED UNEVENLY CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK. THE SEAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS AGO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD UP TO EVEN A SMALL CRASH. *TR
Seats, Nov 24, 2013
WELD BROKE ON SEAT AND FELL TO THE RIGHT. ONLY WAY TO DRIVE WAS TO PUT THE SEAT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR 2 YEARS FOR A REPLACEMENT SEAT IN THE JUNK YARD. I HAVE FOUND 4 MATCHING SEATS OVER THE 2 YEARS, BUT EVERY ONE HAD THE FRAME BROKEN. PROBLEM IS THAT IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT THE SEAT COULD COME UNHOOKED FROM THE CAR. 2ND PROBLEM IS THAT THE SAFETY BELT HOOKS TO THE SEAT NOT THE CAR OR FRAME RENDERING THE SEATBELT USELESS. HAD IT WELDED 3 TIMES AND BREAKS IN LESS THAN A MONTH. IT IS SHAME THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT DO A RECALL. PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION AS IT WAS A POOR DESIGN. I OWN 5 CHEVROLET VEHICLES INCLUDING 3 MALIBU'S, 2004, 2005 AND 2011. NONE WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR
Seats, Oct 23, 2013
ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 17TH WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, I BROUGHT TO A REPAIR SHOP ON MONDAY OCTOBER 21ST TO HAVE THE SEAT LOOKED AT IT. THE WELDS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME ARE BROKEN, THE COST TO FIX THIS IS GOING TO BE OVER $1100 BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM I NEED AN ENTIRE NEW SEAT. AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT HAD OVER 50 COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE THE WELDING HAD BROKEN AND SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING ERROR SINCE IT HAS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. *TR
Seats, Sep 13, 2013
HEARD A THUMP AND POWER SEAT SAGGED ON RIGHT SIDE. CHECKED UNDER SEAT AND FOUND WELD HAD BROKEN THAT HOLDS A TUBE TO A BRACKET. I COULD SEE THAT WHERE THE WELD PULLED LOOSE FROM THE TUBE IT PULLED METAL FROM THE TUBE. THE WELD DID NOT BREAK BUT PULLED METAL FROM THE TUBE. THE TUBE WAS MADE FROM THIN GAUGE METAL. *TR
Seats, Sep 5, 2013
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 15 MPH DRIVERS SEAT DROPPED TO FLOOR. NOW DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS BACK AND IN TOWARDS CENTER CONSOLE. ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT TWISTS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO A DANGEROUS ANGLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT FRAME WELDS BROKE ON THE BACK RIGHT CORNER OF SEAT. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS PROVIDED A VAST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. WITH THE SEAT ATTACHED AT THE SEAT THIS WILL NO DOUBT FAIL IN A MODERATE IMPACT CRASH AND LEAVE THE DRIVER UNSECURED. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BY CHEVROLET. *JB
Wheels, Seats, Aug 30, 2013
WHILE DRIVING WENT TO PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE DRIVER SEAT MADE A LOUD THUMP AND SHIFTED FORWARD TO THE RIGHT I HAD TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULL OVER BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS LEANING FORWARD TO THE RIGHT AND MADE IT HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. I GOT OUT AND THE BAR UNDER THE SEAT THAT GUIDES THE SEAT WAS BROKEN HAD TO MANUEVER IT TO DRIVE AFTER PUTTTING A BLOCK OF WOOD UNDER IT TO STABALIZE THE SEAT SO I COULD DRIVE. HAD NEW TIRES, LUGS AND NUTS PUT ON CAR IN JUNE ALONG WITH ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FORNT AND BACK AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ON TWO OCCASIONS MY LUGS HAD TO BE CHANGED DUE TO BREAKAGE OR LUGS COMING UNSCREWED AND DROPPING OFF ON FRONT DRIVERSIDE AND BACK PASSENGER HAD CAR CHECKED AND THERE APPEARS TO SEVERAL MECHANIC SHOPS NOTHING VISIBLY WRONG BUT THIS IS A SURE SAFETY HAZARD.