26 of the
2,204 complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are about the
seats — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
68,780 miles.
The driver's seat bracket broke causing the seat to sag to the right and for the back of the seat to rise up. Pictures were taken and are attached. Available for inspection until fixed. The view is from the front. My finger points to the failed weld. In an accident, the seat might break off causing the driver to sustain serious injury. The sudden shift in the seat could cause the driver to panic resulting in an accident. I have not yet taken it into the dealer for review. This problem has been reported to your website as well as RepairPal and The Center for Auto Safety websites. No one has, as of now, inspected this failure. There are no warning lights or other sources avaliable to inform of this danger.
NHTSA complaint #11726490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesElberfeld, IN
SEATS
I COULD SMELL A FAINT ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. I THEN ALSO NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ALSO QUIT HEATING.
NHTSA complaint #11388939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,600 milesWashington, IL
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME HAS BROKE IN 2 PLACES CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11374696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freeport, IL
SEATS
MY DRIVER SEAT IS BROKE FROM THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND MY GAS PEDAL STICK AND JUMP WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL
NHTSA complaint #11342602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slidell, LA
SEATS
WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO IF YOU CAN PLEAS CHECK AND SEE IF I HAVE A RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER IT WOULD PLEASE BE APPRECIATE SIGN A CARING GRANDMOTHER TRYING TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE 🙏🏽🙏🏽
NHTSA complaint #11270164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MNFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11023625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesKearney, MO
SEATS
SEAT FRAME WELDS ARE BROKEN, BOTTOM FRONT RIGHT SIDE TUBE ON DRIVERS SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10985066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesCheswick, PA
SEATS
FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBAG COMPONENTS. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE WORKING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IF THEY ARE FAILING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THOSE FAULTY DESIGNED PARTS AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10957089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNauvoo, ILFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE INTO THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S SWEATER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE AND THE DRIVER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10853800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesNorwood, MAFire
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10845896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesNorwood, MAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10845896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,575 milesMorganville, NJ
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT WELD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10763397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,450 milesBellevue, NE
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER ASSISTED FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH ON THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AS WELL, E.G. IF TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD, IF THE TURN WAS TO THE RIGHT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE BACK. EVENTUALLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLOPED DOWNWARD TO THE RIGHT. THIS CREATED A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NEVER ONCE HAVE I HAD A SEAT BREAK LIKE THIS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO READ. GM REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS THEIR FAULT AND I AM OUT ALMOST A $1,000.00 TO HAVE THERE PROBLEM FIXED ...UPDATED 09/22/15
NHTSA complaint #10735289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesShreveport, LAFire
SEATS
MY WIFE HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SHE FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GETTING VERY HOT AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR.. SHE LEANED FORWARD AND THEN TURNED OFF THE SWITCH TO THE SEAT HEATER. I EXAMINED THE SEAT AND DISCOVERED A DIME SIZED BURN THROUGH HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE BURN TROUGH IS APPROXIMATELY SHOULDER HIGH ON THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10706667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesFederal WAY, WAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
NHTSA complaint #10695118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,560 milesLancaster, OH
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT TWO WELD AREAS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER SUSTAINED ANY DAMAGE TO SEAT. SEAT FRAMED JUST FAILED. DEALERSHIP AND WELDING SHOPS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10668972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLinden, MI
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT (POWER) BROKEN AWAY FROM SLIDING SEAT TRACK ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF DRIVER SEAT ALLOWING COMPLETE SEAT TO TILT AND HIT DOOR DURING RIGHT TURN AFFECTING ABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesLaplace, LA
SEATS
THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND LEFT A BURN HOLE IN MIDDLE BACK REST OF SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10617958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesDudley, MA
SEATS
SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPORT BAR TO BREAK. IT COST ME $750 FOR A NEW SEAT AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE SEAT AND TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A FAULTY WELD OR A DEFECTIVE SUPPORT BAR. I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT I SOME HOW BROKE A THICK STEEL BAR JUST BY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10617092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesKnoxville, TNCrash2 injured
SEATS
STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT. NOT SURE HOW FAST THEY WERE GOING, BUT FAST ENOUGH TO HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR 2 TIMES AND PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE PROBLEM IS-- MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH BACK AND NECK SINCE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE. THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE, BUT THE PASSENGERS SEAT BELT HELD, BUT NO AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10593551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Charles, LA
SEATS
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER. ALSO, THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TWICE, WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT WOULD MOVE WHILE DRIVING. SHE STATED THERE WAS RUST ON THE SEAT TRACK. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE SEAT WAS WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10585889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesPortsmith, VA
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE PARKED VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK REST. THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY A HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT THAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE SEAT OVERNIGHT. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE WIRES VISIBLE IN THE BURNED HOLE THAT WAS IN THE BACK REST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 4/1/14*CN THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE WIRES HAD SHORTED AND BURNED OUT. UPDATED 04/23/14
NHTSA complaint #10561857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,680 milesFort Smith, ARCrash2 injured
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 17 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DISLODGED FROM THE TRACK RAIL AND FRACTURED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,680. UPDATED 01/29/13
NHTSA complaint #10462449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Findlay, OH1 injured
SEATS
I HAVE A PINCHED NERVE BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTS ON MY 2010 MALIBU ARE TILTED TOO FAR FORWARD. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT: HTTP://DISCUSSIONS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/N/PFX/FORUM.ASPX?TSN=1&NAV=MESSAGES&WEBTAG=CR-38AULUXSUVGJ&TID=8915 CHEVY DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10384404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesMidland, TX
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES AND WHEN LOOKING OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO SEE IF ANY VEHICLES WERE IN HIS BLIND SPOT, THE DESIGN AND HEIGHT OF THE HEAD REST BLOCKED HIS VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11
NHTSA complaint #10359696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesLewis, DE
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEATS OF THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE PLATE THAT THE SEATS ARE WELDED TOO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES HAVE A REPLACEMENT PLATE FOR THESE VEHICLES. THE FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING A SAFETY CHECK NOTICE THE CONTACT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 18000.
NHTSA complaint #10355721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.