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7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$100
Average Mileage:
91,950 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace lights (3 reports)
2009 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems

lights problem

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 042017

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the second time since 2012 the headlight burned out. First it was the driver side in 2013 then the passenger in 2017. Both times I had to buy the headlamp then fix it. The solution is not easy. You have to disassemble the front clip to get to the headlight assembly so it is very annoying. If it happens again I will report it to GM. These are normal in the life of a vehicle, but you should not have to spend 2 to 3 hours disassembling then reassembling the front clip just to change one headlamp. If I took it to the dealer it would have cost like $158. Lot of labor involved. Way too much in my opinion. But getting a citation is not worth it either.

- Patrick S., Chanute, KS, US

problem #10

Jan 012018

Malibu LTZ 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

What is it with Chevrolet making it so you have to take the whole front end off to change a headlight! My headlights burn out btn 6-12 months. I live in a small town and there is no way I am paying our local mechanic to change a headlight for $75. So I have to ask people during their free time to help me replace lights.

- Shana J., Sylva, NC, US

problem #9

Jan 092017

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,256 miles

I have had to replace my passenger side low beam headlight 4 time in the last year. This last time when I went to replace it. I took the bumper off and it came on, So now I'm inclined to believe that the other 4 times it wasn't actually blown. There has got to be something wrong with the wiring on this vehicle because I also have to keep replacing the break lights as well. It has gotten so that I keep spare lights in the car for when they go out. I have gotten stopped by the Police because the headlight was on and went out while I was driving. I got out and hit it and it popped back on, so the officer didn't give me a ticket. Something needs to be done on these cars.

- Kinita N., Flint, MI, US

problem #8

Apr 152016

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,206 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

STARTED WHEN A HEAD LIGHT BURNT OUT AND I WENT TO SEE MECHANIC, WELL HE SAID BEST TO SEE A BODY SHOP BECAUSE I HAD TO DISMANTAL THE FRONT OF CAR REMOVE SO MANY PARTS AND THEN PAIN IN THE ASS TO GO BACK AND BUY SCREWS BECAUSE THEY BROKE. ANYWAY TOOK HALF A DAY TO GET IT DONE OURSELVES SO I CHANGED BOTH HEAD LIGHTS. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MALIBU LX 2000. LOTS OF AGRIVATION AND CURSING GOING ON.

- Giovanna R., Laval, QC, Canada

problem #7

Feb 072016

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,500 miles

The same headlight on the right side has gone out 3 time in one year, I had the wire connector and bulbs on both sides replaced the second time and now its out again, so before I go out and replace and pay to remove the bumper again, does anyone know whats going on with this issue?

- lene03, Maricopa, AZ, US

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problem #6

Feb 022015

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

Absolutely ridiculous!!!! Have to take to a dealer to get the headlight lamp replaced. Local Oil change company tried replacing, after an hour plus they gave up. The bumper, fender, etc has to be removed just to replace the headlight!

- klskls7, Lyons, OR, US

problem #5

Jul 032013

Malibu LS 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Low beam lights not coming on all the time, finally light burned out, had both lights replaced because of difficulty getting to the lights. When repaired at dealership, had hard time getting new bulb to work. Thought it might be a wiring problem.

- tinamichigan, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #4

Aug 172014

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

After changing the passenger low beam 4 months prior, I was experiencing the same issue where it would go off then a day or a week later come back on, then off again and the cycle continued. I had the bumper removed AGAIN since that's the only way to access the bulbs. Changed the bulb again thinking perhaps the last bulb was faulty. As soon as I removed the headlight assembly (still connected), the light flashed back on so I assumed the bulb may have been loose. To be cautious, I changed the bulb again and put the car back together. I was hoping this would be the end of this chapter in my Malibu book but you'll read more of my complaints shortly!

- Gina E., Chicago, IL, US

problem #3

Dec 152014

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

This is the third time in a year that my passenger low beam is out. It's gotten to the point where I don't even want to fix it because it's ridiculously expensive to have the bumper removed every single time AND then have to diagnose the problem since it doesn't seem to be a bulb issue. What I know is that the bulb sometimes comes on and sometimes does not. There's no pattern, it's completely random. The last couple of times that the light was out and I had it fixed we assumed it was a burned out bulb and then a faulty bulb. No, we are thinking it's more likely to be something electrical going on with the car as a whole because weird things have been happening. Battery lights come on but when you shut the car off and back on it's off. Tire pressure lights come on and say low pressure and then it randomly goes off. Really getting ready to trade this car in for something that won't cause as many headaches...

- Gina E., Chicago, IL, US

problem #2

Aug 012013

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

In the past year I have replaced the wiring harness of my headlights a total of four times. Just this year I had to replace it in May, 3months later I had to replace the same light again. I took it to the dealership and they said there's a switch in the steering wheel that is shooting too much current and melting the plastic, it's going to cost $750 to get it fixed!! I have replaced it myself, so I've only had to pay for the price of the wiring harness. However, removing this part is a pain in the ass since you have to remove the entire bumper.

- ricardotn, Johnson city, TN, US

problem #1

Jan 012014

Malibu LT V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

My driver's side headlight goes out at least once a year. We get it replaced which is expensive because we have to take it to someone becasue it is so difficult to get to. They can't find the problem with the headlight. Have replaced the bulb and the fixture with no resolution.

- JENNIFER D., Navasota, TX, US

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