2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 4%of 907 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 907 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2012 Malibu 1lt has some of the same issues the recalls are for but my specific VIN number isn't included in the recalls. My driver seat moves when sitting in it and I need a rack-and-pinion. I'm also having issues with a 'rough' idle and when I put it in park the RPM's die down between 1&0 and the car acts like it's trying to cut off.”
NHTSA complaint #11231798, filed 2019-07, 143,600 miles“Driver seat weld broke at the rigjt rear and left front without being in an accident. I was sitting in the seat and went to adjust it and it broke on the way up, then the left side on the way down. I have seem on the internet that there are several complaints to GM and nearly all are denied to be repaired at dealers cost. This is a safety issue that should be looked at asap.”
NHTSA complaint #11279340, filed 2019-11, 154,336 miles“The weld on a bar under the driver's seat broke while I was driving causing the driver's seat to move forward and to the right. This is a 3 yr old vehicle with low mileage it should never happen and can cause serious injury in an accident. I had a previous Malibu and this never happened. Please recall this part. I checked your other complaints and it is common!”
NHTSA complaint #10787440, filed 2015-10, 24,800 miles“I sat in the driver side seat and the seat completely broke on the right side. I'm now sitting slanted and being squashed against the middle console/arm rest. Whenever I get out of the car, which is very hard to do and drives me bat crap crazy, I feel I need a crane. Sitting slanted is very uncomfortable and is very hard when judging making turns/parking.”
NHTSA complaint #10598578, filed 2014-06, 47,000 miles“I was driving and the right side of the driver seat collapsed. After parking the vehicle I became aware that the seat was loose. I began to inspect it and noticed that a bar broke in the seat frame. Since the seatbelt is attached to the seat this is a huge safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11073172, filed 2018-02, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000158May 1, 2024This service bulletin includes information on Interior Cleaning - Instrument Panel (IP), Hard or Plastic Surfaces, Seats, Carpet, Leather, Vinyl, Fabric Cleaner, Stain Remover…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 4% |
| 2011 | 38 | 4% |
| 2010 | 25 | 2% |
| 2009 | 30 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 1% |
| 2007 | 16 | 2% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 62 | 6% |
| 2004 | 69 | 6% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
| 1999 | 3 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
291 complaintsExterior lighting
202 complaintsSteering
191 complaintsElectronic stability control
129 complaintsAir bags
101 complaintsEngine
99 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsSeat belts
47 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology