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, Dec 29, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED AT A WELD JOINT. THE SEAT ROCKS BACKWARD TO THE RIGHT. DEALER SAYS ENTIRE FRAME MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. *KB
Seats, Dec 28, 2011
DRIVERS SEAT BROKEN. APPEARS A METAL WELD UNDER THE SEAT BROKE AND CAUSES THE SEAT TO LEAN BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Seats, Dec 27, 2011
AS I TURNED MY 04 MALIBU TO THE LT MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT BROKE ON RT SIDE CAUSING ME TO LEAN HARD TO THE RT AND REARWARD ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL OF CAR. I HAVE 81371 MI. ON CAR. APPEARS TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I THOUGHT GM STOOD BY THEIR PRODUCTS. LOOKING AT ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND GM REFUSING TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE,I AM WORRIED ABOUT HOW SAFE THIS CAR REALLY IS. I ALSO HAD MY HEATED SEATS COME ON ALL BY THEIR OVER 300 DOCUMENTED TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SEATS CAME ON EVEN WHEN NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. *TR
Seats, Dec 24, 2011
DRIVERS SEAT UNSTABLE. DEALER REPORTS THAT TWO WELDS ON SEAT RAIL ARE BROKEN. RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT TILTS BACK WHEN SEAT IS RAISED ABOVE LOWEST POSITION. *TR
Seats, Dec 12, 2011
WE NEEDED THE DRIVERS SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR RE-SET. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE SERVICE CENTER WE NOTICED THE SEAT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD GO BACK AND FORTH BUT NOT UP AND DOWN. THE SEAT ROCKS WHILE SITTING IN IT. WE TOLD THE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THEY REPAIRED THE SENSOR AND IT WOULD COST APPROX $700 TO REPAIR. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
Seats, Oct 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE AND LEANED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS SEAT BRACKETS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Seats, Oct 10, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE CAUSING ME TO FALL/ROTATE TO MY RIGHT AND TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. SEAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF 2 WELDS ON THE BOTTOM SEAT FRAME. WELDS LOCATED AT THE RIGHT BOTTOM REAR AND RIGHT BOTTOM FRONT OF THE MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS. THE SEAT FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. I KEPT THE FRAME AFTER SEEING WHAT CAUSED THE SEAT TO FAIL. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. *KB
Seats, Steering, Sep 15, 2011
THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT WENT TO ADJUST IT AND IT STARTED GOING UP AT AN ANGLE. IT GOT TILTED AND LOOSE, THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT WAS TO PUT IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BUT CAN FEEL IT ROCK. ALL I CAN THINK OF IS I AM SCREWED IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND WHEN YOU GET AN OIL CHANGE, THEN IT DISAPPEARS FOR A LITTLE WHILE, THEN COMES ON AGAIN EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR. *KB
Seats, Aug 17, 2011
THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT RAIL IS BROKEN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY OWNERS OF THE 2004 MALIBU MAXX. THE BROKEN FRAME CAUSE THE SEAT TO FALL AND SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO FIX IT AND HE SAID IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AND CHEVY HAS DISCONTINUED THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE THUS FAR TO FIND A NEW SEAT BUT SUSPECT EVEN IF I BUY A NEW ONE THE SAME FAULTY ISSUE WITH THE WELD WILL OCCUR. HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T919217-DISCUSS2004_CHEVY_MALIBU_MAXX_BROKEN_POWER_SEAT.HTML *KB
Seats, Aug 8, 2011
THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WELDS BROKE, LEAVING THE SEAT UNSTABLE AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY ONE PERSON AND MAINTAINED WELL. THE PRIMARY DRIVER WAS @ 200 LBS. *TR
Seats, Jul 18, 2011
THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS A FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT. THE BASE AND FRAME FRACTURE AND CAUSE THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND PROHIBIT IT FROM RISING. THIS HAPPENED ONCE AND WE HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $900. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM. MY WIFE CANNOT EVEN DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE SEAT SO LOW AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND STOP THOSE OF US WHO HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE FIXES AND IT CONTINUES TO BREAK. *KB
Seats, Jul 12, 2011, crash
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX WITH A 6 POSITION DRIVER SEAT, I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE LOOSE. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO DROP DOWN, BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSING ME TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND ENDING UP OFF THE ROAD AND HITTING A SMALL TREE. THE CONTACT TO THE TREE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRIM AROUND THE HEADLIGHT AND THE LENS. INSPECTION FOUND 2 WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME HAD BROKEN. THE 1ST WELD IS ON THE FRONT CROSS BAR AND RIGHT FRAME RAIL. THE 2ND WELD HAD BROKEN ON THE REAR CROSS BAR AND THE FRAME WHERE THE SEATBELT RECEPTACLE IS ATTACHED. WE CALLED THE CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT CHEVY HAD NOT HAD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME BUT WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECORD OUR CONCERN. WE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND TSB'S REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS OR TSB'S REPORTED ON THE SEAT FRAME. IN FACT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME OUR LOCAL DEALER HAD EVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. REPAIR FOR THE SEAT ALONE WILL BE OVER $1,000 NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY RUNNING OFF THE ROAD.I CALLED IN OUR AREA AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT KEEP SEATS IN STOCK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Seats, Jul 10, 2011
DRIVER'S SEAT WELD IS BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO TILT TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Seats, Jul 7, 2011
THE FRONT DRIVER'S BECOME LOOSE AND ROCKET TO THE RIGHT SIDE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THE SEAT FRAME BROKE. DEALER STATES FRAME MUST BE REPLACED - COST $1200.00 I ASKED IF IT COULD BE WELDED AND HE SAID NO BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WHOSE FRAME BROKE FROM NORMAL USE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A RECALL. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT OTHER BECAUSE OF A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS WHO I'M SURE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE. *TR
Seats, Jun 16, 2011
DRIVER SEAT BROKEN AT WELD MOUNT. *TR
Seats, Jun 2, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEAT PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Seats, Jun 2, 2011
THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT LEANS TO RIGHT WHEN TILTED HAVE TO KEEP ALL THE WAY DOWN SO IT DOESN'T WOBBLE. THE WELD ON THE SEAT FRAME BROKE CAUSING IT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND BE UNSTABLE. ALSO POWER STEERING WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET POWER STEERING BACK. DEALER SAID THEY RECALLED THE ISSUE BEFORE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT IS BACK AGAIN SAME ISSUE NOW ITS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED SINCE THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. *TR
Seats, May 31, 2011
BOUGHT MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU IN JUNE OF 2010 AND JUST RECENTLY THE SUPPORT BEAM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT GAVE WAY. I DON'T JERK AROUND IN MY SEAT I JUST GET IN AND DRIVE MY CAR. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I WAS HEAVIER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR! I HAVE A WARRANTY WHICH I HOPE COVERS IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING HAPPENING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND DOCUMENTED IT ONLINE. I WANT IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR POSSIBLE RECALL BY CHEVY. *TR
Seats, May 17, 2011
ONE DAY, I WAS ADJUSTING THE POWER SEAT WHILE SITTING IN IT AND THE SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, SO THAT I WAS TILTING BACK AND RIGHT. THE FRAME WELD HAD BROKEN, SO NOW ADJUSTING THE SEAT UP/DOWN ONLY AFFECTS THE LEFT SIDE. SINCE THE SEATBELT IS ATTACHED TO THIS FRAME, IT STRIKES ME AS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD; IN A CRASH, MORE STRESS WOULD BE PUT ON THE INTACT LEFT WELD AND IF IT FAILED THEN THE SEAT WOULD COME FREE FROM THE REST OF THE CAR... I HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO GET THIS FIXED YET AS I AM WEIGHING MY OPTIONS ON A POTENTIAL $1,000+ REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. *TR
Seats, Apr 30, 2011
WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT FOR ME TO DRIVE THEN THE SEAT DROPPED DOWN AND NOW LEANS TO THE RIGHT AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS AT ANY SPEED. FRONT WELD OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO SOMETIMES LEAN TOWARDS THE FRONT RIGHT. WE TOOK IT TO CHEVY, ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE SEAT AND DO A STATE INSPECTION. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND HAD TO PULL THE SEAT OUT. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE $1,000 TO REPAIR THE SEAT, THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPAIRING THE SEAT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, MORE WELDS HAD BROKEN AND THE SEAT WOBBLED A LOT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I PUT THE SEAT IN THE TOTALLY DOWN POSITION THAT IT WOULD NOT WOBBLE. NOW I AM LOOKING ONLINE AND SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN WELDS ON THE SEAT. I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER IF CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. JM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Electrical system, Steering, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BECOME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. IN ADDITION THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING, KNOCKING AND RATTLING SOUND WHEN DRIVEN AT A LOW GRADE SPEED AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DRIVER SEAT DIDN'T TO STAY ON TRACK AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ADJUST FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS NO LONGER ADJUSTED. THE SAFETY LOCKS DID NOT LATCH AT TIMES WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED AND THE GAS CAP CONTINUED TO OPEN AFTER IT WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 02/01/12
Seats, Apr 17, 2011
CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKEN WELDS. THE WELDS IN THE FRAME HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT THE SEAT WOULD FALL APART. I AM AVERAGE SIZE AND WEIGHT AND BELIEVE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Seats, Apr 12, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE RIGHT DRIVERS SEAT DETACHED FROM THE METAL BASE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 71937106775 BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST, BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WELD BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. THE SEAT TILTED BACK TO THE RIGHT REAR. UPDATED 07/20/11
Exterior lighting, Seats, Mar 23, 2011
MY FRONT SEAT BROKE ON ONE SIDE CAUSING ME TO SIT LOP SIDED WHILE DRIVING. MY MECHANIC REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND SAID IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT AND REAR BLINKERS CONTINUOSLY GO OUT. THE BULBS ARE FINE THE CONNECTION IS JUST LOOSE. *TR
Seats, Mar 20, 2011
BROKEN WELD ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT. *TR