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1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,220 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #68

Jul 282020

Malibu

  • 60,390 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

problem #67

Nov 232016

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
"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.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #66

Sep 012015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
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 Malibu with the same exact issue.

- Carver, MN, USA

problem #65

Mar 012016

Malibu

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #64

Jun 012016

Malibu

  • 87,400 miles
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

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #63

Nov 202009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
The weld on the drivers seat broke.

- Southport, NC, USA

problem #62

Mar 082016

Malibu

  • 129,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #61

Feb 082016

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
Side of the seat frame is broken. Happened while car was in motion.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #60

Dec 262015

Malibu

  • 200,658 miles
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.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #59

Nov 092015

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
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. www.automotiveforums.com/T919217-discuss2004_chevy_malibu_maxx_broken_power_seat.html 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.

- Moscow, ID, USA

problem #58

Jun 232015

Malibu

  • 128,124 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #57

Jul 022015

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
Driver's seat rail broke. Seat tilts towards console, not allowing proper seat positioning and rocks back and forth.

- Mount Zion, IL, USA

problem #56

Jul 152014

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- West Branch, IA, USA

problem #55

May 152015

Malibu

  • 162,825 miles
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.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #54

May 072013

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
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.

- Danielson, CT, USA

problem #53

Sep 012004

Malibu

  • 100 miles
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.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #52

Apr 082015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 134,295 miles
I sat down in the vehicle and found that the drivers seat was leaning. I looked on line to see if I could fix it myself. I found a lot of complaints that the welds break and this is a common problem with these vehicles. I contacted Chevrolet and they told me I had to have the vehicle checked by a Chevy dealer. I brought the vehicle in and they told me that the seat welds did break. I am not an overly heavy person, so I thought that even though the vehicle was older, that this is a design problem, and not an age or neglect problem by the owner. Chevrolet told me that since the car was too old, I was responsible for getting it fixed. This is a safety issue, as if I get in an accident with the vehicle, the fact that the seat belt is attached to the seat, and the seat is not secured, I can be hurt badly. If I were the only person with the problem, I could see why I should fix it. Since this is a known problem with these vehicles, it appears that it is a design flaw, and poor quality workmanship from Chevrolet. I have attached the web site that I saw the complaints on. It is: www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/2004/accessories-interior/seats.shtml. some of those complaints state that they filed complaints with you. Please check on this as this is a very serious problem and could cause lives lost. I would appreciate a reply to tell me how I go about getting this problem resolved. Thank you

- Oconto, WI, USA

problem #51

Oct 042014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise emitted from the driver side seat. The contact also stated the driver side seat moved intermittently and leaned to the right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the frame section needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 5/29/15 the consumer stated an inspection revealed two welds within the driver's seat frame broke away causing the seat to wobble. Updated 06/04/15

- St Louis Park, MN, USA

problem #50

Oct 122011

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
When seat was moved, it became very loose and rocks back and forth as well as side to side. Dealer tech said there was an inferior weld which connects the seat to the base and it is broken. Told me if we weld it back together it cancels the warranty on it as we're putting a new weld on top of an inferior one and it may not hold. Have not done anything to fix it. Cost is too much and not guaranteed. I have the seat propped up with wooden blocks and it is always moving so needs continual adjusting which is difficult to get just right. This is a serious safety issue as this seat will move in a sudden stop or sharp turn. Only seat belt will hold me and seat in place. Could cause serious injury to me. I listed the part above but it wouldn't stay there. I believe it is the driver seat assembly. This change is urgent - don't know why GM won't fix it since it was a mistake in the assembly process and is extremely dangerous to drive with the seat constantly moving. It's like sitting on a ball.

- Burnsville, MN, USA

problem #49

Jan 222014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Electric power seats frame broke. Seats won't adjust, and leans to the side.

- Bristol, CT, USA

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