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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Mar 16, 2011
BOUGHT 2004 MALIBU MAXX BRAND NEW. SWITCH IN AC FIRST TO GO AT JUST UNDER 10000 MILES. 18000 MILES BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO REPLACE COST ALMOST $800.00. HEADLIGHTS BURNED UP REPLACE WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH ANOTHER $1000.00. REPLACED BOTH HEAD LIGHTS COULD NOT SEE THROUGH EITHER OF THEM ANOTHER $385.00 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOT A FUSE IN THE EMISSION SPOT. REPLACED THAT ANOTHER $400.00 WHEN THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. LEAKS IN THE HATCH WHEN IT RAINS OR CAR IS BEING WASHED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WILL NOT RESET. DRIVER SEAT SUPPORTS ARE BROKEN AND EVERYONE THAT I KNOW THAT HAS THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS, GUESS WHEN THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT THEN SOMETHING WILL BE DON. IT IS ASHAMED THAT YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR A VEHICLE AND THIS IS WHAT YOU GO THROUGH. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN OIL CHANGES AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND NO ONE FROM THE COMPANY SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT PROBLEMS THAT IS FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO REPLACE WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
Seats, Mar 9, 2011
BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE CAR SEAT FRAME TO A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. BROKEN FRAME CAUSES SEAT TO ROCK UP AND DOWN AND LEAN TO ONE SIDE.THIS FRAME BROKE UNDER NORMAL USE. TO REPAIR THIS YOU NEED TO BUY A NEW SEAT FOR ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM A CHEVY DEALER OR YOU CAN TRY TO WELD THE FRAME BACK TOGETHER. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE POOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF THE SIZE OF METAL USED TO BUILD THE FRAME. *TR
Seats, Feb 14, 2011
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED FORWARD AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTION REVEALED BROKEN WELD ON SEAT FRAME. *TR
Seats, Feb 14, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT, SHE NOTICED A DISCOMFORT AND THAT THE SEAT WOULD MOVE AS SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE WELDING HAD FRACTURED AND THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST. UPDATED 10/12/11
Seats, Jan 15, 2011
MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX HAS A BROKEN WELD OF THE SEAT COMPONENT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, HAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO $1000 AS THE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS ON THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR, SAME MODEL, SAME MAKE. SEE HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2005/CHEVROLET/MALIBU_MAXX/SEATS/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR
Seats, Jan 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED THREE TO FOUR INCHES INTO A TILTED POSITION. THE CONTACT ADJUSTED THE POWER SEAT TO THE LOWEST LEVEL TO SECURE THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Seats, Dec 15, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT WAS BROKEN SINCE 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT WOULD COST HIM $1000 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Seats, Dec 8, 2010
DATE: 11/15/10. 2004 MALIBU MAXX LT. WHILE EXITING A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED TWO OR THREE INCHES DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, NEARLY CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO CRASH INTO THE SAFETY BARRIER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SEAT FRAME WELD HAD SEPARATED. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITHOUT CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND CLAIMS THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE. REPAIR IS OVER $1,000. THE RESULTING LITIGATION WILL RUN IN THE 10'S OF MILLIONS AS THE DEALERSHIP NOTES THAT IN A COLLISION THE SEAT MAY NOT STAY ANCHORED. THE SAFETY RESTRAINT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, SO IT WILL BE INEFFECTIVE AS WELL. INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE THE RECALL! *TR
Seats, Dec 5, 2010
I NOTICED THE DRIVER SEAT WAS "ROCKING" TO THE RIGHT WHEN I SAT DOWN. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT I NOTICED THAT THE CROSSBAR WAS BROKEN AT THE WELD JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. *TR
Seats, Nov 21, 2010
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 DIDN'T 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. WE COMPLAINED TO THE MANAGER, AND HE HAS AGREED TO CALL GM TO SEE ABOUT GETTING AN ALLOWANCE TO GET IT REPAIRED. 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. *TR
Seat belts, Seats, Nov 15, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKEN WELDS. THE WELDS IN THE FRAME HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. GIVEN THAT THE WELDS ARE BREAKING UNDER NORMAL USE AND THAT THE SEAT RESTRAINTS ARE ANCHORED TO THIS FRAME CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AND THE SEAT SHOULD BREAK UNDER CRASH IMPACT THE SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD FAIL POSSIBLY CAUSING GREATER HARM. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND CAN SEE THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT AND SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD BE COMPROMISED. I SUBSCRIBED TO SOME CAR FORUMS AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 AND 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MODELS WHICH INDICATES SOME FORM OF DEFECT. I AM OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND DID NOT MISUSE THE SEAT IN ANYWAY. *TR
Seats, Oct 13, 2010
THE WELDING UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT TO ONE SIDE AND SOMETIMES ROCK. IF A COLLISION OCCURS THE SEAT WILL NOT HOLD THE DRIVER SECURELY IN THE SEAT. *TR
Seats, Oct 3, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX - 55K MILES, DRIVEN BY SMALL WOMAN IN HER 70'S. CROSSMEMBERS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED, ALONG WITH WELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER. THE SEAT TILTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RIGHT, PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM SITTING PROPERLY & SAFELY. AFTER FAILURE, THE SEAT WOULD SHIFT NOTICEABLY IN TURNS, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE SEAT WOULD REMAIN ANCHORED. THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS ANCHORED TO THE SEAT CAUSED FURTHER CONCERN, AS IT WOULD NOT STOP A DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. COST TO REPAIR IS $1000 - OUTRAGEOUS FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, GIVEN IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM. CHEVY SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES OR OFFERING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. *TR
Seats, Sep 29, 2010
2004 MALIBU MAXX DRIVER'S SEAT WELD BROKEN MAKING THE SEAT ROCK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. *TR
Seats, Sep 22, 2010
FRONT DRIVERS SEAT. 2004 MALIBU MAXX. SEAT BECAME 'PITCHED' TO THE RIGHT. DISLODGED OF ASSEMBLY. WE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS 'BROKEN' AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.....THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES TOTALING 1200.00. UPON RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ALL TO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU SEAT ASSEMBLY. *TR
Seats, Sep 3, 2010
THE SUPPORT RAIL UNDER MY DRIVERS SEAT IN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX BROKE. THE WELD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *TR
Seats, Aug 17, 2010
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX - THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME HAS FAILED AT THE BOTTOM RESULTING IN THE SEAT LEANING TO THE RIGHT, MOVING AROUND DURING CORNERING, AND THE SEAT GENERALLY BEING NOT ANCHORED ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 41000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO ANY INCIDENT OTHER THAN NORMAL DRIVING. CURRENTLY AWAITING BACKORDERED PARTS FROM THE DEALER AT SIGNIFICANT COST. CONTINUING TO DRIVE CAR IN UNSAFE CONDITION. OTHER OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR ISSUES ON SEVERAL WEBSITES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR
Seats, Jul 24, 2010
FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED, ALONG WITH WELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER. THE SEAT TILTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RIGHT, INTERFERING WITH THE OPENING OF THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT UNIT AND PLACING A STRAIN ON THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTOR. AFTER FAILURE, THE SEAT WOULD SHIFT NOTICEABLY IN TURNS, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE SEAT WOULD REMAIN ANCHORED. THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS ANCHORED TO THE SEAT CAUSED FURTHER CONCERN, AS IT WOULD NOT STOP A DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL LOCAL GM DEALERS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECOURSE AND THAT THE SEAT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT COMPLETELY STRIPPED DOWN AND HAVE SEVERAL PARTS AND WELDS REPLACED AT A LOCAL METAL SHOP. *TR
Seats, Jul 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RE-WELDED THE DRIVER SIDE BELT FRAME TO THE BASE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Seats, Jun 21, 2010
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BROKE AT RIGHT FRONT WELD JOINT. SEAT THEN LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THIS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT LOW SPEED. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE DURING HARD BRAKING OR IMPACT THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD AND WOULD LIKELY BREAK ENTIRELY LOOSE AND SLAM THE DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. $850 TO REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME. GM WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Seats, Jun 2, 2010
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT. STEEL FRAME IS BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO ROCK FRONT TO BACK AND SIDE TO SIDE. NOTICEABLE RUST. UNABLE TO WELD, ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE SEAT. NOT A SAFE SEAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Seats, May 16, 2010
MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX FRONT POWER DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY TILTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING AN UNCOMFORTABLE UNEVEN DRIVERS POSITION. IF YOU RAISE THE SEAT IT TILTS MORE TO THE RIGHT & GETS MOSTLY EVEN WHEN ALL THE WAY LOWERED, FROM READING OTHER PEOPLES DESCRIPTION I BELIEVE MY RIGHT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING BRACKETS WELD BROKE. WHICH WILL REQUIRE A SEAT REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF A PART. HEARING THIS IS A $1,000 REPAIR IS DISTRESSING TO SAY THE LEAST. APPEARS THERE IS A DEFECTIVE WELD ON THIS VEHICLE THAT GM SHOULD FIX. THANK GOODNESS IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
Seats, May 5, 2010
MY 2004 MALIBU - THE FRAME TO THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME UNWELDED SO THE SEAT TILTS TO THE RIGHT. THIS CAUSED STRAIN ON THE MOTOR THAT MOVES THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH SO NOW THAT IS OUT AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I'M VERY SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. CHEVY WANTS $500 JUST FOR PARTS!!!! INSANE. *TR
Seats, May 2, 2010
2004 MALIBU MAXX DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAKS UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR
Seats, Apr 9, 2010
1. A SUPPORT/ADJUSTMENT BAR FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE CAUSING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO SUDDENLY DROP TO THE RIGHT. 2. SUPPORT/ADJUSTING BAR IS BROKEN AND WILL REQUIRE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. CAN NOT ADJUST THE SEAT CORRECTLY FOR COMFORTABLE AND PROPER DRIVING POSITION. ALMOST PUT THE CAR INTO A GUARD RAIL IN WHEN IT HAPPENED. GOOD THING MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. 3. DEALER WANTS $1000 FOR REPAIR, NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE, REQUIRES ENTIRE SEAT FRAME TO BE REPLACED AT $400+. *TR