I got a notice in the mail stating GM is conducting a customer satisfaction program that affects my 2010 Malibu. They will enhance the side impact protection wiring for both front seat impact airbags. This is a no charge fix. I don't know how long it will take but they will provide me courtesy transporation. Has anyone else received a letter like this?

'09 - just checked my mail - no notice like that.

So is the letter sort of like a recall? Just a glorified one because they are enhancing it?

It's not a recall. From what I have read GM is trying to make the '10 Malibu the safest car in the category and is doing whatever it can to do that. Hence those weird "upgraded" headrests.

It's basically a "soft recall" for the airbag wiring problem affecting the 2010s... This fix will prevent the Service Air Bag light from coming on and potentially affecting vehicle safety... They're just getting proactive on this because of the risks, but calling it a "Customer Satisfaction" program to avoid an airbag recall media hype, and because the effect may never be seen on most cars.

Mine threw the light right as I was buying it... Had to wait a week before picking it up because the parts needed to be ordered on the TSB... The parts must be distributed now, as the proactive fix takes off.

Got the same letter today. I will nose around at work and try to find out what is up.

My notice came in today's mail.

2010 LT 1 Mocha Steel/Ebony
North Carolina

Hence those weird "upgraded" headrests.

You mean the new style Government mandated headrests that will have every owner jerking them out of every make car after they drive a few miles with them?

Bill

I had a rental '10 Cobalt last week, provided by dealer for overnight service stay. When I was driving it I could not keep my head from touching the head restraint without tipping my head forward unnaturally. Eventually I just got used to having it touch continually, but over slight bumps it kept jarring my head.

Like Bill says, if I owned it I'd be modifying it right quick!

You mean the new style Government mandated headrests that will have every owner jerking them out of every make car after they drive a few miles with them?

Bill

That be them!

Took car in today and had it fixed. It only took about 30 minutes.

I got a notice in the mail stating GM is conducting a customer satisfaction program that affects my 2010 Malibu. They will enhance the side impact protection wiring for both front seat impact airbags. This is a no charge fix. I don't know how long it will take but they will provide me courtesy transporation. Has anyone else received a letter like this?

I just received this notice 2 days ago. It is not a mandatory recall. For now, it appears that they are targeting 2010 models. Evidently, GM made some upgrades to the side impact air bags to bring the standard of protection even higher. They have to change out some wiring / harnesses. Even though I got my car just 3 months ago, my car was identified as pre-production to the upgrades that they made. They do mention if you're under warranty, you "may" be eligible for courtesy transportation. If they provide me with a loaner, I may do it.

I wonder what the upgrade is if they're changing out wiring harnesses? How can that afford you a higher level of protection?

I had a rental '10 Cobalt last week, provided by dealer for overnight service stay. When I was driving it I could not keep my head from touching the head restraint without tipping my head forward unnaturally. Eventually I just got used to having it touch continually, but over slight bumps it kept jarring my head.

Like Bill says, if I owned it I'd be modifying it right quick!

I noticed this immediately when I got my car. This is absolutely ridiculous. You don't sacrifice comfort for a supposed extra level of saftey. You may avoid whiplash, but you'll be walking around with a crick in your neck from keeping it in such an unnatural position.
I did figure out a solution. The top of the headrest is the part that's canted very far forward, so I lifted the headrest all the way to the top. The bottom part of the headrest is in a much more natural position, so I'm happy with it. This was never an issue with any of the other cars I owned. I had several cars with articulated headrests. They weren't only adjustable up and down. You can adjust them forward and back.

Ya know... if you recline the seatback a bit you won't have to deal with your head touching the headrest.

Here's the Letter that I received from GM:


This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a customer satisfaction program that affects your 2010 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicle.

Your 2010 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicle not only meets, but exceeds government standards for side impact protection. GM recently introduced into production, changes that add to that protection. At no charge, your dealer will make similar changes to your vehicle, which was built before the production change.

What We Will Do: To enhance side impact protection, your GM dealer will update the wiring harness for both front seat side impact airbags. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

What You Should Do: To limit any possible inconvenience, we recommend that you contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for this repair. By scheduling an appointment, your dealer can ensure that the necessary parts will be available on your scheduled appointment date.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1.800.630.2438 (TTY 1.800.833.2438).

Courtesy Transportation: If your vehicle is within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, your dealer may provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership for repair. Please refer to your Owner Manual and your dealer for details on courtesy transportation.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern that this situation may cause you. We want you to know that we will do our best, throughout your ownership experience, to ensure that your Chevrolet Malibu provides you with many miles of enjoyable driving.

Scott Lawson
Director,
Customer and Relationship Services

Ya know... if you recline the seatback a bit you won't have to deal with your head touching the headrest.

Yeah I don't see the problem. I had my car in for service and they gave me a '10 LS. My head was inches away from the headrest and I am 6-1.

I got my letter the other day.

So, is it adviseable to do the upgrade, or leave it alone? I sort of go with the motto "If it aint broke, don't fix it". I'm not having any issues with Air Bag lights or messages, so I'm not inclined to have it upgraded. I'm concerned that they can mess something up if they fool around with the wiring.

So, is it adviseable to do the upgrade, or leave it alone? I sort of go with the motto "If it aint broke, don't fix it". I'm not having any issues with Air Bag lights or messages, so I'm not inclined to have it upgraded. I'm concerned that they can mess something up if they fool around with the wiring.

I would do it. From what I have heard ALL '10s will have the issue pop up if not done.

The thing I don't understand is that in the letter they make it sound like they are upgrading the system, yet I, like many others have had problems with the light going on. Then they replaced the connection to fix it.

Instead of saying they goofed, they make it sound like a gift.

Our Head rests story - I had to remove rear ones on our 09 Bu to keep my bride from folding down rear seats so she can feel comfortable seeing out rear slanted/raked window. She loves her Bu but rear visablilty is a real change from her high and stand up rear window in her 96 Grand Cherokee Jeep.

On mine (see sig) I have intermittent issue with sensing whether or not there is a passenger. (i.e. there is a passenger but the airbag is off acording to the light. If I stop, put it in park, have the person lift their butt and plop down, it works fine.

Any chance this will be fixed if I go in with this TSB? In general? pretty much everyone in my family is like 110 to 140lbs. Might that be the issue? that seems heavy enough. I tried to reproduce but it's hard to pretend like i weigh half of what i do :-P

The thing I don't understand is that in the letter they make it sound like they are upgrading the system, yet I, like many others have had problems with the light going on. Then they replaced the connection to fix it.

Instead of saying they goofed, they make it sound like a gift.

I agree 100%. It seems like a sugar coated recall notice. But as others have said, GM doesn't want this to be an official recall due to the bad publicity surrounding most recent recalls (i.e. Toyota).

For all intents and purposes, this does seem to be a recall camouflaged in a Customer Satisfaction notice, thus they're making it look like they're doing you a favor when in fact they're correcting a true anomoly.

On mine (see sig) I have intermittent issue with sensing whether or not there is a passenger. (i.e. there is a passenger but the airbag is off acording to the light. If I stop, put it in park, have the person lift their butt and plop down, it works fine.

Any chance this will be fixed if I go in with this TSB? In general? pretty much everyone in my family is like 110 to 140lbs. Might that be the issue? that seems heavy enough. I tried to reproduce but it's hard to pretend like i weigh half of what i do :-P

I don't think so. I posted the letter that I received. It mentions an upgrade to wiring that affects side impact airbags only. It doesn't state anything about the passenger airbag system. Also, at this point, they are targeting 2010 models only.