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.
While turning to the left the drivers seat suddenly shifted and was leaning to the right. The weld which holds the base together had broken. This is the second occurrence of this happening. The first time it was under warranty so it was repaired by the dealer. At that time we were told that it was a $1000 repair because the whole unit had to be replaced. This to me seems a dangerous situation since when the seat jerks there seems to be a period when there is a loss of control of the vehicle. I went on the computer when I got home and this seems to be a common problem. Why is there no recall to fix this problem?
Right rear of power operated driver's seat failed to raise. Removed seat for inspection and found two broken welds on seat frame - right side front and rear. Disassembled seat and had frame welded locally.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the right side of the driver's seat suddenly collapsed to the floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the seat needed to be welded or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 1/17/13 updated 01/24/13
Driver's seat weld failed and seat shifted down and dropped to the right. Also effected seat adjustment. Rocked back and forth on the frame. Seat had to be replaced, could not be repaired.
The driver seat on this car has come off the rails on right side causing it to tilt. If the seat is not moved to the lowest setting the tilts with the movement of the car. I had the seat repaired once; it failed again after about 6 months. At the same time I had the emergency brake repaired. When setting the brake, I heard a loud bang. The repair failed about 2 months ago for the second time. I am also going through new brakes on this car at an alarming rate - three brake replacements already and the car has 90,000 miles. The car is again beginning to shimmy/shudder when going down steep hills and the brakes are applied. The car seems not to slow down at all (I.e. shifting gears) when going down hill other than by the brakes - it feels like a free fall. The signals, headlights, taillights and brake lights also need frequent replacement. I typically have to replace at least one of these at each oil change and have on several occasions needed to make replacements between oil changes. I would estimate the headlights/blinkers have been replaced at least a dozen times. The rear lights have been replaced perhaps ten times. Currently the third brake light is out and cannot be repaired without taking off the interior cover of the car to access the wiring - the bulb is not the problem.
- Bonney Lake, WA, USA
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While adjusting the seat up, it suddenly dropped and leaned to the right. After inspecting under the seat, I found that the welds on the front frame bar broke loose also twisting the frame bar. This could have been very dangerous while driving as the seat really leaned over violently. Also, it apears the seat belts are attached to these support bars. This issue still has not been repaired as the cost is over $1000. Should we be involved in an accident, the seat will very easily tear away from the remaining welds possibly ejecting the driver along with the seat. The seat shifts and tilts drastically when turning vehicle. After researching this issue online, I find that several Malibu maxx owners from several different years are having the exact same issue. This should be a safety recall issue as the seat will come loose along with the seat belts should vehicle be involved in an accident.
For the second time my drivers seat has broken on the right hand side at a weld joint on the front cross rod. The first time it failed around 30,000 miles and the second time around 71,000 miles. This is a common problem, a safety issue and needs a recall. Not only is Chevrolet getting away with this, but the fix is complete seat frame replacement that cost the consumer about $1000. Chevy wins again as they get to sell a defective part at a profit. A great deal for Chevy until I buy my next car. Time to do the right thing and do a recall.
The drivers seat right side dropped suddenly. My inspection revealed a weld to a structural member failed. The structural member actually failed in the weld heat affected zone. The wall thickness of the structural member was a tube with inadequate wall thickness for the design. I am a civilian nuclear engineer for the dod (navy) and can send a digital image of the failed part. It appears from an internet search that this is not an uncommon failure as I would expect from my inspection.
The driver seat leans due to the fact that the welds break. The front and the rear supports broke. I have read this happens to most of the seat. They don't make a replacement frame and therefore want me to buy a whole seat at a cost of 800 just for the seat. So here I am to say this isn't right and I'd like to have this fix at there expense since they want to make me buy the whole thing and not just a frame.
The welds on the driver seat frame break. I first noticed this in February 2010 when my seat would raise at an angle. Recently I was cleaning my car and I noticed the seat belt was not attached securely. The weld holding the seat belt to the seat frame had cracked and broken free. I found a used seat and when it was delivered, this seat had the same exact problems, multiple welds on the seat frame that are cracked and broke. This frame is critical to the safety of the driver. This website shows that there are many more complaints of regarding the same defect. There are more places online talking about this very issue. My car has 55000 miles on it. I am 150lbs. These welds should not be breaking so easy, and so prematurely.
Out of the blue one day I noticed that I could not elevate the driver's seat height on the right side. (the left side continued to work as it should.) I took it in to the Chevy dealer for repair and it cost me $120 for them to weld the front edge of the seat frame back together. On Feb 28, 2012, the same problem occurred again. My local repairman examined the seat and said the front edge of the seat frame had broken in a different spot. The cost to replace the seat (the only way to fix it) will be approximately $850 plus taxes, etc. I'm looking for a replacement at a local salvage yard but, thus far, I have been unsuccessful in locating a seat.
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.
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.
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. www.automotiveforums.com/T919217-discuss2004_chevy_malibu_maxx_broken_power_seat.html
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.
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)
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 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.
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- Troy, NY, USA