Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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. …
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. …
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.
Tl* 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
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.
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.
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. Http://www.automotiveforums.com/t919217-discuss2004_chevy_malibu_maxx_broken_power_seat.html http://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.
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.
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.
Seat complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 1,147 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.