General Motors LLC is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through Nov. 5, 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The company is also recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured Oct. 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature.
For the model year 2014 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through Nov. 5, 2013, the inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin Dec. 6, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
For the model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured Oct. 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature, the wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.
If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
