7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$120
Average Mileage:
95,150 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace wiring harness connector (5 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. replaced headlight assembly (2 reports)
  4. replace switch (1 reports)
  5. replace wiring harness (1 reports)
  6. wiring harness was burned out (1 reports)
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problem #12

Feb 012019

Malibu 2LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I have a 09 Malibu and had the front passenger side headlight burn out twice. I replaced with LED bulbs and still had the passenger side light fail. I inspected the wiring and noticed that the connector plug for the low beam light was melted. I attempted to just replace the plug, but the auto parts store only sold a two wire plug replacement I needed a three wire. I then purchased the whole wiring harness behind the headlight for $35.00. It replaced the turn signal, side marker, high beam, and low beam plugs. It was not difficult to replace after removing the headlight. GM has poor ground wires and connection points to the body of the vehicle check and replace if needed. I have not had an issue since replacing the wiring.

- cantshovelsunshine, Phx, AZ, US

problem #11

Jun 302018

Malibu 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,292 miles

As I was leaving a 4th of July gathering, I unlocked my car, everything was normal, loaded the trunk, and got in. Once I started my car I noticed that the regular low beam headlights weren't turning on. The yellows and brights both worked but not the low beams. Because it was already late at night and I had 2 exhausted children, I had to drive home with my brights. Also noteworthy is that BOTH headlights wouldn't turn on.

So, I took it to a mechanic who told me that after having to take the entire bumper off to replace, that the wiring harness was "burned up". I had done my research in advance trying to predict the problem and had read other blog posts that mentioned this same wiring harness so it wasn't much of a surprise. The right side harness was replaced and 2 new headlights were installed.

I'm curious to see if this is something that happens to all cars eventually or Chevy just happens to have this sort of problem.

- Desire S., Henderson, KY, US

problem #10

Sep 212016

Malibu LTZ 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Passenger side low beam headlight went out. You have to drop the entire fascia/bumper cover to replace the damn headlights. Connecter seemed fine, no obvious damage so we put new bulbs in both the driver's side and passenger side. Two weeks later the same headlight went out* again. Come to find out the connector that the bulb plugs into was melted and that was why the headlight was not working.

Bought a replacement socket assembly for $8 from Autozone and used the same 2 week old bulb. The bulb never burned out. The original bulb may not have been bad either but we threw it away thinking it was bad. Check wiring housing first. The replacement "socket" had 2 wires, the original had 3 wires, put all the black ones together and then put the one red wire with the one yellow wire and it's mint. Everything works perfectly, I also have fog lights on my car and those function correctly as well. Replace both sockets though because now the side with the new socket is brighter even though both lights have the identical same brand new bulbs in them. You don't need to take the front bumper all the way off, just drop it down and get in there, that's good enough. Don't take the wheels off either, it isn't necessary.

- Krystle H., Sterling Heights, MI, US

problem #9

Mar 112015

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

click to see larger images

headlight wiring shorted out headlight wiring shorted out

Had a low beam light go out on the right side, thinking it was a light bulb, I bought a bulb and removed the front bumper in order to gain access (PITA) upon removing the headlamp assembly, i noticed the wiring was ok, but the socket was melted. Cleaned it up a little with a metal scraper just to check the light and the bulb was fine. replaced the socket, went about my day.

- Jonathan S., Wichita, KS, US

problem #8

Feb 182016

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

I had a headlight go out again this year, thought it was a bulb since i replaced the connector last year and thought maybe i touched the bulb and got some grease on it which caused it to go out premature, removed the bumper again and found that the connector had burn up AGAIN. this is twice I've had to replace the same connector for the same problem. Checking for loose grounds that would cause a higher than normal amp draw and found nothing. Replaced the connector again.

- Jonathan S., Wichita, KS, US

problem #7

Aug 232014

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,321 miles

MY RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED WHAT A PAIN IT IS TO REPLACE A HEAD LIGHT BULB. THEN I DISCOVERED THAT IT WASN'T THE BULB BUT THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THAT LIGHT HAD BURNED OUT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON 25 JAN 2016. IS THERE PATTERN HERE?

- lwalter, Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #6

Jan 252016

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,800 miles

MY LEFT SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. A YEAR AGO MY RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT. (I'LL REPORT IT AS SOON AS I GET THROUGH HERE.) THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT FASCIA TO GET TO THE HEAD LIGHT. IF I COULD GET TO THE DESIGNER OF THIS TRAVESTY I WOULD DO UNMENTIONABLE THINGS TO HIM AS WELL AS THE PERSONNEL WHO APPROVED THIS IDEA. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH SO MUCH GRIEF TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB. HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT THE REAL PROBLEM. THE CULPRIT WAS A BURNED OUT CONNECTOR IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS MOST RECENT "BURNED OUT BULB" HAD THE SAME CAUSE - A BURNED OUT CONNECTOR IN THE WIRING HARNESS. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. HOW MANY OWNERS WHO DON'T DO THEIR OWN WORK HAVE HAD BURNED OUT LIGHTS FIXED BY REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS INSTEAD OF THE BULB?

- lwalter, Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #5

Mar 012015

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

I replaced the front right headlight but it went out a few weeks after. Upon changing it a second time I noticed the wiring was melted an shorted out. I bought the parts and replaced it on my own as it is approx. $100 just to replace the light because you need to remove the front bumper to replace the bulbs.

- Shannon A., Houston, TX, US

problem #4

Jan 312015

Malibu LS 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

Had this problem in 2013, lights went out. Went to dealership got it fixed.

2015 same light, driver side out again. Went to repair shop got new headlights.

One month later, light on driver side flickering again. Lights going in and out. Not completely out, but this has to be a wiring problem.

Any solutions out there? Help!

- tinamichigan, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #3

Apr 132014

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

I noticed my passenger low beam was out and then after a few days it came back on and we repeated that cycle for a couple of weeks until it finally stayed off. I changed both headlight bulbs because the entire bumper has to be removed to fix it and I wasn't going to go through that process if the other bulb decided to go off. But the problem continues so I'm not so sure the bulb was the problem to begin with.

- Gina E., Chicago, IL, US

problem #2

Nov 012013

Malibu LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

2009 Malibu must have a electrical shortage, have changed the light three times, the switch burns out.

- Terri F., Las Cruces, NM, US

problem #1

Nov 102011

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

I owned an Infiniti which I loved but my son totaled. So I decided to buy a GM product because I say firsthand the number of job losses, etc. But I will never buy another GM, Ford, etc. There is no honor or value placed on the products and service. I'm concerned about the employees who aren't concerned about me. Management makes 75,000+ a year and the workers 50,000+ and I make half of that. They make what $17 or more an hour but build these cars using $10 plastic parts. I owned that Infiniti(Nissan) for almost 5 years and the keyless remote never broke. Less than 6 months after I had my Malibu the remote broke and I have yet to replace it. I thought it was the battery but everyone in the parts department said, "Once you open it up it's not going to work", I was past pissed. Next, the wiring on the driver side headlight shorted and burned the wires. The bright lights worked, but not the dim. So I spent close to $200 on a headlight. I had problems at the dealership so I called the General Manager, it was a mess. Since then, I had to replace the other headlight so I found it online and found someone to put it in. It's all plastic! Oops, I forgot, the radio had to be replaced when I bought it. Next, the rear brake light is on while driving, but goes off when I stop, WTF! While driving down the road the door locks, lock and unlock at random and now I can't lock the doors unless I walk around to all 4 and lock them. The button on the driver side stopped working so I had to reach over to the passenger side now it doesn't work. I bought this car because I loved the look and to help my neighbors and friends whose lives depend on this Company. But then I realized, whoever assembled the plastic light fixtures, didn't care about me. The worker at GM who installed the headlight assembly, didn't care if it caught on fire and hurt me or my children. The employee who does the electrical wiring doesn't care if the wiring lasts 6 days or 6 months. I'm sorry GM, but I pay a car note and insurance and try to take care of my home, but I don't have money to constantly put into a new car. You push us to buy these cars but no one's pushing you to build a quality vehicle, something has to change. Before this and you can check with the DMV, I owned a 1990 Honda Accord and 2000 Infiniti I30. The battery in the Infiniti lasted close to 4 years. The Honda ran for 19 years until the timing chain broke. This is what working class people need, more value for our dollar. This is what's real, but then again, who am I?

- mcculloch71, Shreveport, LA, US