Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon cleaning her rear windshield, she noticed that the third rear brake light plastic housing had cracked on both sides. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the third brake light needed to be replaced to avoid future water intrusion that might enter through the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
My car should be included as part of special coverage since my car is leaking also: GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5111 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: August 7, 2019 Subject: N192210570 - Special Coverage Center High Mount Stop Lamp Water Leak Models: 2016 - 2017 Chevrolet Malibu To: All General Motors Dealers General Motors is releasing Special Coverage N192210570 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 252,825. Please see the attached bulletin for details. Customer Letter Mailing The customer letter mailing will begin on August 21, 2019. Global Warranty Management (GWM) The Applicable Warranties section on the Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) screen will be updated August 7, 2019. Please hold all warranty transactions until IVH has been updated. END OF MESSAGE GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
On March 18, 2024, I noticed that water began to enter the car when it was in the carwash. I opened a claim with the insurance company and an investigation was carried out that lasted approximately 3 months. On June 11, the body shop received my car to diagnose and provide a quote to the insurance company for the necessary repairs due to this water damage. The workshop considered it to be a problem in the upper rear brake light and mentioned that this is a Chevrolet recall on these cars. The insurance company called me and told me that I had to go directly to the dealer to have the necessary repairs made to my car that were caused by this water problem. However, I cannot find information about this recall online.
I noticed some staining in my vehicle head liner and a nasty musky smell about an hour after I washed my vehicle. I do know there is a recall on the third brake high stop lamp for same model different Vin associated. My vehicle has the same problem and this can cause malfunctioning to the rear of the vehicle due to the water leaking into the car and on the wiring ov the vehicle. Seats get wet, headliner is stained and gets wet, rear deck gets soaked as well. 3 of my bolt fasteners have broken and I have a temporary fix on it.
Battery charging system is faulty. Drains battery and alternator shuts off. Car and other components shut off. Third brake light brakes when car is lifted or jacked, causes safety issue and concern. Worst part is cause expensive property damage to interior of vehicle from water leaking in.
The third break light above the rear windshield doesn't have proper rubber seals which cause water to leak into the housing and the break light to short out, and also water to leak throughout the upper interior and into the truck causing rust and mold.
Okay so my car had 2 recalls but the they were not repaired the same problem reoccurred . Which was the car engine not turning on and electrical problems etc. I don't really know how to explain it but yes it's having the same problems .
There needs to be a recall on the third brake light on the Chevy Malibu. Everyone that I speak with that has a Malibu has had to replace the third brake light because of it breaking and when it rains water leaks into the car.
Rear high mount brake light is loose allowing water to leak I. And around the electrical connections, rear speakers in vehicle have moisture around them, potentially causingin a short and fire hazard
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact noticed water entering the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle was wet. The vehicle was taken to autonation Chevrolet northpoint (2175 mansell rd, alpharetta, ga 30009, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that water was entering the vehicle from the rear tail lights and the dome light inside the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the moisture caused the windows to fog. The vehicle was taken back to autonation Chevrolet northpoint, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. In addition, the gear shifter failed to engage in park and the contact had to force the shifter into park. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the gear shifter. While the vehicle was at the dealer, the technician replaced the instrument cluster with a 2018 part that was not compatible with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Headlight complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 703 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.