Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Question: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: The drivers seat frame failed via a broken weld. The weld is located on the front and right hand side of the seat (assuming you are sitting in the seat). The seat became very unstable and I do not believe the seat is safe if a crash would occur. The seat is available for inspection. I am an average sized adult in terms of weight (<200 lbs). Question: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: The seat is no longer rigid and thus in the event of a crash I cannot believe the seat is safe. Question: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: It is clear the seat failed - see the picture. …
I went to move the Lever to the driver side seat to adjust the back of the seat for support. And I went to go pull the level and the seat assembly snapped and broke off causing the seat to move backwards and forwards(up and down) and won't sit still. the seat can move at almost all angles. It does not slide just moves side to sides. It was a perfectly fine and I never used that level before until the first time ever and it just complete fell apart. It still looks like it's intact but I took it to the dealership and they said part of the assembly snapped.
Driver seats horizontal bar has snapped it now leans to th e left. Comes up off of floor when breaking and accelerating. Concerned that the seat will become detached if ever in a rear or front end collision sending me out of the vehicle
Seat frame integrity is compromised. Seat is not secured to the running boards. Joints where the tubes are welded are compromised and separated. Appears to be a fatigue failure. In January 2013, with much argument with GM about replacing the seat frame, they finally agreed to replace it for a deposit of $300. This before GM had to go to congress to explain their lack of action for ignoring the design defect of the ignition switch. It's about 4 years later and I'm having the exact same failure of the compromise of the welds on the replaced 2013 frame. This time GM refuses to do anything about it as they say they already replaced it once! This is the same problem! I have pictures from the original seat showing the fatigued tube breakage. I have now had 2 seat frames on the same car and both failed. In engineering we call this statistically significant. …
A little over a year ago we noticed the drivers side power seat seemed to be moving at times. It has since broken loose from part of the frame. As long as the seat is in the down position it sits kinda steady. Any attempt to move it up or down causes it to become dislodged. It happens regardless of the motion of the car. About the same time frame, the rear door locks started acting up. Depends on their attitude of the day, they either will not lock or unlock by remote or switch. Only way to access the rear seat area is to roll the window down and reach in from outside to unlock since the lock button is not located in a handy spot. Could see a large problem in an accident with children in the backseat needing to exit quickly. Have not reported to dealer as the blogs have numerous complaints and stories that are being ignored by the manufacturer. …
I was stopped at a red light and a man who wasn't paying attention came speeding up and rear ended me he hit me so hard that my car hit the car in front of me and that car hit the car in front of him. 4 cars total. My airbags did not deploy and I am suffering from many injuries because of that. The man who hit me was going around 50 miles per hour. I believe with such impact that he hit me the airbags should have deployed. My face slammed into the steering wheel and hurt me very badly also I am concerned about the seat and the seatbelt. The seat I was in is all broken now due to the accident and I am also thinking that the seatbelt is also defective.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver's seat moved independently as though the seat frame integrity was compromised. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to feldman Chevrolet (2801 e michigan ave, lansing, mi), but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they work in conjunction with NHTSA and would need additional complaints in order to issue a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the bar under the driver's seat detached from the seat and the seat was moving without warning. The contact called a local dealer (ron craft Chevrolet, 4114 I-10, baytown, tx 77521) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Drove from my boyfriends house approx. 2 miles and parked in a walgreens parking lot and when I got out I told him I smell something burning, he looked over and there was a hole in the back part of the seat with smoke coming out he grabbed a bottle of water that I had in the center console and poured it on the burning part of the seat. It also burned a hole in my coat and into the shirt I was wearing.. Contacted GM that day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was stationary, the driver's seat made a popping noise and became loose from the frame. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new seat frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,915.
Seat complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the seats of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 1,509 complaints. The component named most often is mid/rear assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 5 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 2009 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.