62 of the 1,386 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu are about the seats — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 89,000 miles.
62
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEATS
I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A CITY STREET WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FELL DOWN AND STARTED TO FEEL LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #11287143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
LEFT FRONT POWER SEAT WELDS BROKE. RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME BOTH FRONT AND REAR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint #10969816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND WOBBLES AND IN MY OPINION IS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10955680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MOUNT IS BROKEN. APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE SEAT TILTS TO THE RIGHT. IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO WAY THE SEAT WOULD REMAIN IN THE CAR. THE FACTORY WELDS HAVE BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10955706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN SEAT WELD ON RIGHT SIDE BROKE AND DETACHED FROM RAIL. THERE'S NOW NOTHING HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE ON THAT SIDE SO IT WOBBLES UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10935039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY, CAR DINGED AT ME 3 TIMES, REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING CAME ON, COULDN'T ACCELERATE, BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND INSPECTED..WORKED GOOD FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND IS HAPPENING AGAIN. AND NOW THE WELD IS BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SEAT!
NHTSA complaint #10933778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVERS POWERED SEAT LOWER FRONT SUPPORT TUBE BROKE AND SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT RIGHT HAND SIDE BRACKET LINK, AT THE WELD ATTACHMENT, ATTACHING TO THE SEAT BOTTOM. THIS BREAKOUT OF MATERIAL LEAVES THE SEAT UNATTACHED TO THE TRACK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10873506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT RAILS HAVE FAILED AND THE DEALER WANTS ALMOST $1000 TO REPAIR (WHICH I DON'T HAVE RIGHT NOW). I AM AFRAID THAT THE SEAT WILL COMPLETELY FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE OF THE FRONT SEAT RAILING WELD IS FAIRLY COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE AND I AM SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA WOULD ALLOW A MANUFACTURER (GENERAL MOTORS) TO NOT FIX THIS APPARENT SERIOUS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FLAW. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW, WEIGH LESS THAN 130 LBS, HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GENTLE WITH THE CAR. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT GM AND THE CHEVROLET DEALER WANT TO MAKE A PROFIT FROM ME TO REPAIR THEIR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I OFFERED TO PAY THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT (I THNK THIS WOULD BE ABOUT OF THE QUOTED PRICE FOR THE ACTUAL MECHANIC TIME/WAGES AND WHOLESALE PARTS PRICE), BUT WAS TURNED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10764962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE SEAT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE SEAT TRACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT EVEN WITHOUT A DRIVER IN THE SEAT. THE FACTORY WELD HAS GIVEN OUT ON THE TRACK. WE FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE IF IT WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT CAUSED THE WELD TO FAIL OTHER THAN GOING AROUND A CORNER AT NORMAL SPEEDS. WHEN RESEARCHING REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE WE HAVE NOTED MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10734253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOVED ON THE TRACK AND WAS CROOKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10723432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SEAT FRACTURED CAUSING IT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE WELDED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10690789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
FIRST I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT STEERING ISSUES AND HAVE HAD PARTS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY ON THIS VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE STRUTS, AXLES AND NEEDLESS TO SAY NEW TIRES BECAUSE OF THE WEAR ON THEM DUE TO THE STEERING ISSUES. HOWEVER, I HAVE A RECALLED SHIFT CABLE AND HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST YEAR IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER. I ASKED ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY STATED , THEY ALL ARE. SO I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL THAT THEY HAVE THIS SHIFT CABLE AND CAN ONLY PRAY NOTHING HAPPENS, LIKE A BAD ACCIDENT. IF SOMETHING WERE IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE GOOD FOR YOU ALL. ANYWAY WHEN WILL THIS PART BE IN SO I CAN GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. WENT TO [XXX] IN KANSAS CITY KS. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THEM AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE. BY THE WAY THE SEAT BROKE, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AND I'M NOT REAL HAPPY. OF COURSE ITS PAID FOR NOW AND NOT UNDER A WARRANTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10689997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SEAT SHIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THE FRAME RAILS BECAME FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY MOVE WHICH EVER WAY THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER WAS SHIFTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10679016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED AND LEANED TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF SEAT, THE MOUNTING BRACKET WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN
NHTSA complaint #10670508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WELDING FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND BECOME WOBBLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WAS NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRACKING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/30/14*LJ UPDATED 4/27/2015
NHTSA complaint #10638361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOVED ON THE TRACT AND WAS CROOKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10617770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE 6 WAY POWER SEAT BRACKET HAS BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE AT THE ONE WELD HOLDING IT TOGETHER CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE IN MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS WHILE SITTING IN IT. I GOOGLED IT AN IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED ISSUE. THEY ALL WERE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.THIS ALLOWS THE SEAT TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND UP AND DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10615800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT FENDER. THE FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK AS THE HOLDER DOES NOT MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE BULB.A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE REMOTE KEYS NO LONGER WORK. THE ELECTRICAL SEAT CONTROL DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10610752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT CAUSED IT TO BREAK. IT IS CROOKED AND SOMETIMES MOVES WHILE DRIVING, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY FOOTING TO SLIP OFF THE BRAKE/GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10593202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF SEAT ASSEMBLY. MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE ON VARIOUS OTHER AUTOMOBILE DEFECT SITES. DUE TO BROKEN SEAT ASSEMBLY, DRIVER'S POSITION COULD SHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING, AT A MINIMUM, A DISTRACTION, IF NOT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10592778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT WELD ON TRACK ASSEMBLY BROKE. SEAT IS LOOSE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $1000. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NO RECALLS. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10579268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS BROKEN WHEN SIMPLY SITTING DOWN IN THE VEHICLE AND CAN ONLY BE SAFELY USED IN IT'S LOWEST POSITION. IF YOU TRY TO RAISE THE POWER SEAT, IT TILTS TO THE EXTREME RIGHT, AND ONLY THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT LIFTS. THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHILE SITTING ON SUCH AN EXTREME SLANT, AND ALSO HARD TO SEE WHEN SITTING IN THE LOWEST POSITION, UNLESS YOU ARE QUITE TALL. OVERALL, THE SEAT IS NOW VERY WOBBLY AND UNSTABLE IF YOU SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT IN THE SEAT NOT THAT IT HAS BROKEN. I DON'T RECALL AT WHAT MILEAGE THIS HAPPENED - BUT I WAS GETTING INTO THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD POP OF SOMETHING BREAKING LOOSE, AND THE SEAT FELL TO THE SIDE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10576882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT RIGHT FRONT SUPPORT BRACKET WELD FAILED DURING SLOW TURN. THE CORNER OF THE SEAT DROPPED DOWN, AND NOW IT WOBBLES UP AND DOWN. THE TUBE THAT CONNECTS THE BRACKETS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AT THE WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE TUBE APPEARS TO BE TOO THIN FOR THE APPLICATION - THE WELD HAS PEELED A PIECE OF THE TUBING AWAY. THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT INSTEAD OF THE FRAME. SO NOW THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS IN QUESTION, BECAUSE THE SEAT IS UNSTABLE. AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM, AND IS COSTLY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10575758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVERS SEAT REAR INSIDE MOUNTING BRACKET IS BROKEN. IT LOOKS LIKE THE WELD FAILED. SEAT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE AS IT LUNGES FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AS WELL AS FALLS BACK WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. LOOKED ONLINE FOR A FIX AND IT SEEMS THIS IS VERY COMMON AND CHEVROLET HAS NOT RECALLED IT NOR IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS UNSAFE FLAW. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AS I HEARD AND READ THAT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX OR REPLACE IT WITH A JUNK YARD PART...WHICH IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #10574146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT, THE WELD HAS BROKEN AND NOW THE SEAT SITS TO THE RIGHT AND MOVES WITH ANY BUMP OR TURN. VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10547567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK WELD BECAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME, CAUSING THE SEAT TO DETACHED AND TILT TOWARD THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SEAT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10511078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I BOUGHT A USE CHEVY 2005 MALIBU AND THE FRONT RAIL FOR THE FRAME OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE. AFTER LOOKING AROUND I FOUND IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND FEEL IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I WAS TOLD BY THE OLD OWNER THAT IT BROKE A YEAR AFTER BUYING THE CAR AND THE DEALER WANTED WAY TO MUCH TO REPLACE IT? IF IT'S A MATTER OF SAFETY SHOULD THEY NOT FIX IT FOR FREE? SHOULD THEIR NOT BE A RECALL ON IT? AGAIN AFTER LOOKING AROUND ON THE WEB AND ASKING AROUND TO MANY DEALER SHOPS IT IS A VERY KNOWN ISSUE THAT CHEVY HAS NOT EVER ADDRESSED. I JUST KNOW THAT NOT ONLY IS IT VERY HARD TO SIT IN, IT ALSO FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO COME UP OFF THE FLOOR EVERY TIME I HIT THE BRAKES. I'M SURE IF I EVEN GOT INTO THE SMALLEST FENDER BENDER IT WOULD EJECT ME. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM REPAIR THIS ISSUE! ALSO LETS MAYBE ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE FAILING POWER STEERING THAT HAS ALREADY CAUSED INJURY'S THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10506043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WELD ON DRIVERS SEAT BACK LEFT SIDE FAILED. SEAT NOW ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. SEAT MAY NO LONG BE ABLE TO HANDLE CRASH LOADS APPLIED TO IT. PLEASE CHECK HTTP://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/ FORUM FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY CASE OF THIS EXACT ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10504133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT ROCKS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND IT WILL NOT ADJUST. DEALER STATES THAT THE SEAT TRACK IS BUSTED AND WILL NEED TO BE WELDED TOGETHER OR REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10498486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY TO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE AND WOULD MOVE FREELY WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE OWNER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TWO BOLTS WERE FRACTURED, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 53,851. UPDATED 3/22/13 *CN THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN SOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10498222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.