Chevrolet Recall 04V-188: Seat belts – anchorage

Affected: 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Filed with NHTSA on April 16, 2004, covering about 84,474 vehicles.

The problem

On certain passenger vehicles, analysis of an a side impact crash test conducted by the NHTSA;s new car assessment program (ncap) indicated that the outboard anchorage of the driver's seat belt could disconnect because of contact between the seat trim and the anchorage connector when the seat was adjusted to its lowest position.

The risk

If this occurred in a crash, the driver could receive greater injuries.

The fix

Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign04V-188 (04V188000)
Manufacturer number04027
ManufacturerGeneral Motors, LLC
ComponentSeat belts › Front › Anchorage
Report dateApril 16, 2004
Owners notifiedMay 7, 2004
Vehicles affected84,474
Initiated byManufacturer

Vehicles covered

Owner complaints about the seat belts

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 04V-188 repair free?

Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 84,474 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.