Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My driver seat is powered and it is inoperative. It remains stuck in a reclined position. At first the seat would not return to an upright position but all the other power functions (reclining the seat, moving it forward and back, tilting the seat, moving it up/down) still worked. I took the car to a shop and they said that the cause was some of the wiring had disconnected. They took the seat out and made sure everything was plugged in correctly. The seat worked again but only for a short while. Now, the issue is present again and the driver seat will not move forward/back or return to an upright position. This is hazardous because the seat is not able to offer the driver the correct seating position to drive.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver's side seat became defective and would not remain sturdy while driving. The contact has had to duct tape parts of the seat to prevent the seat from moving while driving. The contact called and notified the dealer about the failure. An appointment was scheduled to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I seem to have a short in the drivers side seat adjuster. At times when adjusting the seat a warning comes up to replace air bag and sometimes shuts off the radio. I have read that there was a recall at one point for this problem.
Air bag warning light stays on and will not reset. Driver power seat controls buttons out of plastic control cover and jammed in metal part of seat. Can not get seat control unjammed and no way to adjust driver seat.
Was sitting in my seat adjusting the seat by pushing the button that had a short when I pushed the button I herd a clicking noise then I smelt a fume type of smell I put the car in reverse when the seat wouldn't move as I looked down at the gear I notice that the driver seat where I was sitting was on fire every where the car was wired is where the fire burned up I called the fire department in which they informed me that it was a electrical fire and car insurance confirmed recall on the car had been reported for doing the same thing prior to this incident I called kin dixon where I purchase the car and they told me that my car according to the VIN number I have to them was not affected by recall I have GM and they have yet to respond to me I could have been one of there numerous customers who lost their life in there defected retort cars I was not burned but the poor car was torched.
My driver seat is stuck all the way in the full recline position and wont go back up. I contacted Chevy dealership and they told me 1,400 to buy a whole new seat. I dont have 1400 laying around to buy a new whole seat and that it troubles me that a whole seat would go out with my car when it has less than 45,000 miles. Now my wife and I are forced to drive a unsafe car because not only we don't have that kind of money laying around for a seat that shouldn't even be broke at 42000 miles. Ive contacted GM but they have not contacted me back yet. I also paid 130 dollars for the dealership to tell me that I need a whole new seat? I could have told them that. I hope I don't get in a accident probably wont have a chance with the way the seat is sitting seat belt wont work properly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a failure covered under the warranty; however, after the repair, the vehicle began to experience many malfunctions. The vehicle's bolts on both the front passenger and driver seats were detached. When the seats were adjusted, the uni body frame of the body moved. The contact stated that the uni body frame was able to be moved manually. In addition, the electrical systems failed without warning, which sometimes caused the vehicle to stall. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but they refused to assist. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Actuator did not meet specs it was necessary to replace actuator. This service was done by jim keras Chevrolet in memphis tennessee. The covering on the driver seat that protects the seat controls has fallen off, the car has no pick up when depressing the excellerator and makes noise as if the transmission is not changing. I went to vincheck pro and there were 7 recalls specifically electrical system software. I bought this car off the showroom floor of Acura of memphis at ridgeway and 385. No one told me of any factory recalls. The money I am spending for this car is already too much and now having so many problems out of a car thats only 2 years old is ridiculous. Thanks for listening.
There was a safety recall for this model but it did not include my car's VIN for some reason. I have had dealership repair the problem twice, once while still under factory warranty and then recently due to airbag harness wiring shearing off. The dealership repaired the wiring and charged me the deductible under extended warranty but advised the issue could happen again due to faulty design engineering. The issue happens apparently while raising and lowering the driver seat. The wiring harness can easily get caught in the gear mechanism.
1.the seat stitching has come apart. 2. The part of the seat where you adjust it, has cracked. Also it has torn my seat a bit because it has cracked. -both of these have been falling apart since shortly after owning the vehicle.
Seat complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the seats of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 837 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 10 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 2013 Chevrolet Malibu seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 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.