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2004 Chevy Malibu Maxx Broken Power Seat


monti730105
08-27-2008, 11:15 AM
I have a 2004 Malibu Maxx hatchback. It has been a solid car since we rolled it out of the showroom. Recently, I noticed when I raise the adjustable driver's seat after my petite wife has driven the car, the seat tilts to the right. After a survey of the power seat mechanics I found a broken front rail. It appears as if the end of the rail where it connects to the hinge is being peeled back as if I were removing the wraper of a crayon. I have only found one other post on the internet. Is this is a common problem? :dunno:

AD2BU
08-27-2008, 09:39 PM
I have an 05 Maxx and have not experienced the seat issue you described. However, I did run into an issue moving the seat all the way back as it stresses the wire harness and sometimes will not move forward again. I found by pressing on the connector where it plugs into the motor under the seat while engaging the switch to move it forward, it cures the problem until it is moved all the way back again.

wpbharry
08-29-2008, 01:06 PM
Never had THAT problem on my '04 Maxx. But nearly every other one, and there've been a ton. I'm the only driver, maybe that's why I haven't had this issue. Nor have I seen it on the Internet. But car wash attendants and service folks often move it forward, since I'm long-legged.

Be thankful your car has been solid. I consider mine an unmitigated disaster and I'm far from alone.

nick8519
09-06-2008, 09:48 PM
i have an 05 malibu lt. recently the drivers seat started to rock/tilt back & left. took to dealer and a weld on the seat frame broke. thank god for warranty! dealer said $1000 job, $500 just for parts.

slls
09-07-2008, 11:15 AM
No warranty, but I do own a welder. I checked, it is all steel.

monti730105
09-09-2008, 10:05 AM
Yes warrantees are wonderful. But for those of use that are recently past the 60K, Aaaaa not so much! :rolleyes: I too was quoted over $400 for the parts by Tom Moore Chevy. It appears chevy was smart enough to only sell the hinges as the whole drivers seat frame assembly. Difficult enough that the do-it-yourselfer would most likely bring it to the shop to replace. But AH HAH! J&B Weld to the rescue. A buddy of mine who is heavily into automotives, suggested the use of J&B Weld. I'll follow the instructions to the letter this weekend and let you all know how it goes. $5 for the J&B weld sure sounds like it is worth a shot. If not it is off to a traditional welding solution.

:cheers:

franks350
10-28-2008, 07:42 AM
Dont be too Surprised
I have the exact year and model for my wife and she complained about the same.I checked it out and what did i see? The frame weld snapped.
So now when you try to adjust only one side moves causing it to tilt.
I only see a weld for the cure.
I doubt very much J-B Weld putty is gonna be a fix only being that there is alot of stress and weight being used of the seat.
But if it works let us know!!
Hoping to get a small welder for xmas this year! LOL

theniks
10-30-2008, 06:28 AM
I have the same problem the front weld has broken loose, i spoke with w welder and his said it would be a difficult because of the seat material and sparks making burn marks but i will be soon removing the entire seat and have it welded.

KADster
02-02-2009, 11:01 AM
I have a 2004 Malibu, and just this weekend started having the issue with the broken support bar under the driver's seat. I bought the car used and after reading more about it, I am beginning to regret it.

As a temporary resolution, I've just lowered the seat all the way down. Feels like I'm driving my old Camaro again! Just got laid off from my job, so that's about the best I can come up with for now.

chicknlcker
12-21-2009, 07:33 PM
I have an '05 Maxx. Love the car for the most part. Wish GM would have squared off the rear gate like an old school wagon...would have added so much more storage area.

Have had it just over a year. 65,000 miles. Front drivers seat rail just broke at the weld. Will take the seat out and weld the rail. Intermediate steering linkage knocks when making tight turns. No danger with this, just really annoying.

jwsilkie
02-06-2010, 10:39 AM
Same issue with 2004 Malibu LT, weld on rt front of driver seat broken, causes seat to sag to right. Contacted NHTSA who told me they did not have enough complaints to investigate. Filed complaint on line with NHTSA just in case enough people complain. Chevrolet wants around a $1,000 for the repair. They should be made to stand good for the repair since it is so common.

jaimysessanna
02-06-2010, 11:36 PM
I have a 94 LeSabre, well a constant 4 years of me "throwing" myself and my not so small self into my drivers seat eventually broke the power seat's rail. I welded it and it broke again. I went to a junkyard and got a new bracket. You might want to try that if all else fails. Or just look and see if you can purchase one somewhere.

cindyintexas
05-05-2010, 12:22 PM
Same thing here!! '04 Malibu broker frame which stressed out the motor so it wont move either. Sounds like it should be a recall?????

ssfowler8
06-02-2010, 08:33 AM
I have a Chevy Malibu LS and have had a broken driver's seat since a year after I bought the car. Took car to the dealership, no warranty, can't weld $900 plus labor for a new seat. Power seat of course. I have filed a complaint also with the NHTSA. After much researching there have been alot of complaints about the '04 Malibu Driver's Seat, in ALL models. To stop my seat from wobbling there is a piece of 2x4 under the seat on the track. Does anyone know if a regular seat would work, and what years are compatible??

gagevincent
09-22-2010, 07:16 AM
I've had the same issue....TWICE. my wife and I are two different sizes and we move the seat quite a bit (like that should matter).....we've paid TWICE for the 'assembly' parts AND labor because we were told due to 'inspection' necessity we had no recourse but to repair it. 1200.00 total. This has put a HORRIBLE taste in our mouths after a pretty good run with this used car. 3 years, limited issues etc. ....don't mind paying for things that make sense but it's tough to swallow 1200.00 for basically, defects that nobody's willing to 'do the right thing on'.....Probably going to directly complain to chevy- I figure if a handful of people made an effort to go through everything to post/read here there must be PLENTY more. :screwy:

eric134
11-15-2010, 08:20 AM
I just discovered the same problem with my seat but I have a Malibu LT, but I'm sure they use the same seats. I'm not under warranty anymore and not sure what to do. I have the seat out and can see that it is broken in two places. Its also twisted. Does anyone know if once welded it will track straight or does it have to be lined up again? Anybody find out id there is a recall?This seams like a major safety issue given that the seat belt is connected to this frame. I'm going to Chevy with this.

gagevincent
11-18-2010, 07:43 AM
I will do the same- the dealership has given us the run around and we have replaced the seat TWICE at a grand total of 1400.00!!!!

do you have contact information for such a complaint?

Ken

adikia
08-17-2011, 08:44 AM
i have also reported this issue to NHSTA

Nicolepatriot
07-13-2012, 12:24 PM
Same issue here. Also reported it to the NHTSA.

prideindiy
05-09-2013, 08:01 PM
I have a '05 Malibu and I have two rails that the welds have broke. I tried using JB Weld, but it didn't work. After reading these post, I find myself disappointed. I was looking to see how to replace the whole seat as an option. Maybe going to the junkyard. The seat looks to be riveted to the floor vs. screws. Any ideas on how to change out the seat?

Tech II
05-10-2013, 09:28 AM
Not riveted, it's bolted...usually torx bolts.....

In some cases, if you see no bolts on the front of the rails, after removing the plastic trim pieces, then you just remove the rear bolts....then pivot the rear of the seat(may have to recline the back of the seat for clearance) up ward, to disengage the front "hooks" from the floor, then pull back.....

The Malibu's are like the Grand Ams.....never saw welds breaking on the tracks.....

I would remove the lower track from the seat and send it to a mechanical shop, to have it rewelded......

slls
05-10-2013, 10:24 AM
Early seats did break, I would get it welded. Maybe room to add a gusset, then it would never break again.

bdingler
05-27-2013, 08:56 AM
I have 175,000 MILES on my 2004 Malibu Max LT, I have recently come into the broken seat issue also as it leans to the right driver side .I have recently replaced the throttle body and front hubs a year ago ( buy these wear out!). I purchased it new and over all I love my car. I am 6' 8" and have killed a few seats in my time .I found it to be more roomy than any other model
No, it is not perfect ,but GM COULD HAVE HAD A GREAT CAR WITH A FEW QUALITY TWEAKS!

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