The drivers seat bracket on my 2012 Chevrolet Malibu broke. Never had this happen with any other car I've owned. Unfriendly Chevrolet said the cost to repair would be $1150. I checked the web and found complaints from many, many other Malibu owners who've experienced the same issue. I wrote to GM corporate and they opened a case and contacted Friendly Chevrolet to work out a discounted rate. When the service adviser John Ballard called to make the appointment it was clear in his voice that they were annoyed I went to GM corporate. I took the car in this week to have it repaired. I picked it up this morning and now the "Service Air Bag" warning light is on. I told the service adviser about it and he said that the light was on when I brought the car in. IT WAS NOT. The service adviser told the manager, Louis LaBarbera and he immediately told me that the light was on when I brought the car in for repair. I tried to explain to him that it was not on but instead of listening he called me a liar and began to raise his voice. He's about 6'3" and acts as if he is on some kind of medication. He voice escalated and absolutely did not care if I was a dissatisfied customer or not. It's unbelievable to me that a company like Friendly would employee a manager who's first response is "it's not our fault, it's the customers" and also someone who is so aggressive. It made me very uncomfortable. As I was leaving I told him that I would contact GM corporate again and he said "you do that...have a good day" He turned around, walked off and continued drinking his coffee. Funny thing is my receipt indicates that I requested a multi point check be done to my car, which I did not. There is nothing noted on the checklist about my air bag service light being on. I find that interesting since the service manger, Louis and the service adviser, John insisted the light was on when I brought the car in for repair. It's obvious to me this is deceptive business and they break things on cars while they are servicing them to make more money.
I keep the car in the sun for couple of days. When I started the car, a message on the DIC stating " SERVICE AIRBAG" and the light stayed ON for 5 days. Later, the light went OFF. 2 weeks later the light went ON again. I don't not know why.
The Service Air Bag warning light would come on for no apparent reason then go off. Sometimes with a tone other times just the light and message. Mentioned it to the dealership and the service associate laughed. I had a serious conversation with him and he apologized but never reported my complaint. The dealership refused to fix the problem under warranty since I was over the mileage.
The light has been on continuously since 08-15-15. I have re-seated every connection I can find but it has not helped. With all these complaints, why isn't there a recall? There have been several recalls for other electrical problems and the seatbelts so far.
Update from Oct 16, 2015: After being on for a couple months, the light went out and has stayed off since the beginning of October, 2015. No rhyme or reason and the dealer was no help.
Update from Jun 15, 2018: I paid the dealer $99 to diagnose the problem. After losing a day of work they said it was the clockspring @ an additional $400. I said no. A week later the light went off and has been off most of the time ever since. Obviously not the clockspring. My guess is the connections in the steering column heat up and work loose since it only happens on hot days. Problem has not returned since I started using sun shades in the windshield consistently.
The connectors on each side of the clockspring appear to be the issue. To keep the connections attached use electrical paste on the contacts and secure with a dap of RTV on the outside of the connectors.
- papawjerry,
Salisbury, MD, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The drivers seat bracket on my 2012 Chevrolet Malibu broke. Never had this happen with any other car I've owned. Unfriendly Chevrolet said the cost to repair would be $1150. I checked the web and found complaints from many, many other Malibu owners who've experienced the same issue. I wrote to GM corporate and they opened a case and contacted Friendly Chevrolet to work out a discounted rate. When the service adviser John Ballard called to make the appointment it was clear in his voice that they were annoyed I went to GM corporate. I took the car in this week to have it repaired. I picked it up this morning and now the "Service Air Bag" warning light is on. I told the service adviser about it and he said that the light was on when I brought the car in. IT WAS NOT. The service adviser told the manager, Louis LaBarbera and he immediately told me that the light was on when I brought the car in for repair. I tried to explain to him that it was not on but instead of listening he called me a liar and began to raise his voice. He's about 6'3" and acts as if he is on some kind of medication. He voice escalated and absolutely did not care if I was a dissatisfied customer or not. It's unbelievable to me that a company like Friendly would employee a manager who's first response is "it's not our fault, it's the customers" and also someone who is so aggressive. It made me very uncomfortable. As I was leaving I told him that I would contact GM corporate again and he said "you do that...have a good day" He turned around, walked off and continued drinking his coffee. Funny thing is my receipt indicates that I requested a multi point check be done to my car, which I did not. There is nothing noted on the checklist about my air bag service light being on. I find that interesting since the service manger, Louis and the service adviser, John insisted the light was on when I brought the car in for repair. It's obvious to me this is deceptive business and they break things on cars while they are servicing them to make more money.
- Kevin D., Dallas, TX, US