Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | 61,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 21 | 3% | 52,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 2% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2013 | 30 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 202 | 22% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 130 | 13% | 104,000 miles |
| 2010 | 195 | 14% | 96,000 miles |
| 2009 | 172 | 11% | 94,000 miles |
| 2008 | 106 | 11% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 29 | 3% | 105,000 miles |
| 2006 | 63 | 6% | 73,000 miles |
| 2005 | 153 | 16% | 78,000 miles |
| 2004 | 84 | 7% | 66,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 143 | 25% | 61,000 miles |
| 2001 | 109 | 15% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 241 | 26% | 67,000 miles |
| 1999 | 61 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 83 | 9% | 45,000 miles |
| 1997 | 41 | 9% | 74,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously involved in accidents prior to my purchase and had known mechanical issues, including a gear shifting problem that was not properly repaired. In February 2024, while the vehicle was insured under Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance Company, it sustained a significant front-end collision impacting the driver side. The impact was severe enough to cause structural damage, including a dent to the vehicle frame. Despite the severity of the collision, the airbags did not deploy at all. Based on the extent of the damage, airbag deployment would reasonably be expected. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had ongoing issues following repairs, including system errors and concerns that repairs may not have been properly completed by a certified facility. …
The vehicle experienced a serious and ongoing electrical and system malfunction shortly after being returned from repairs related to a prior accident. Within a short period of driving, multiple warning messages and system errors began appearing simultaneously, indicating failures across several vehicle systems. The issues included repeated computer system faults affecting critical functions. The malfunction made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate, as the errors appeared suddenly and without warning while driving. This created a significant safety risk due to the potential loss of vehicle control and unpredictable system behavior. The problem has been persistent and has not been properly resolved. …
Bulb - Third Brake Light Assembly: replace the third brake lamp asm. its broken. Common issue with Chevy malibus 2016-2018. The bulb in the back of the rear window which is an added indicator that the vehicle is braking. Cars are almost crashing my car when i break to turn. I have a young son in the car and this is dangerous especially if this is a common issue amount chevy malibu drivers. There is a GM forum where numerous people are complaining about being given $400-$700 repair estimates when it should be a recall from the manufacturer.
The rear liner had water indications, with an odor of mildew in the car. I couldn't drive around with mildew in my car. I notuved shortly after i purchased yhe vehicle that the brake light was cracked. I didmt think much of it, thought it was just a cosmetic thing. It was taken to my dealership and they confirmed the water was getting in through the cracked brake light. I did a little research and it seems to be a common issue with Malibu's. No warning other than the smell, that made me check the back seat.
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
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the shift to park warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel while attempting to park and shut off her vehicle. The contact would be forced to repeatedly move the gear shifter back and forth from the park (P) position until the system recognized the gear shifter in the park (P) position. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). In addition, the contact mentioned that water had been entering the vehicle and leaking out of the middle taillight. Due to the failure, the middle taillight had become fogged and mildew had accumulated inside the trunk. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact detected mold on the rear seats, in the trunk, on the front passenger and driver seats, and the vehicle floor. The contact mentioned that there was a manufacturer communication regarding the center high mount third brake light, which caused water to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to hessert Chevrolet (6301 e roosevelt blvd, philadelphia, pa 19149, [phone]) and the contact was informed that the third brake light needed to be replaced. The third brake light was replaced, but the mold was still present in the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,400.
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that May experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles were produced with a left low-beam headlamp that does not meet the photometric performance requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the left low-beam headlamp and replace it if it does not meet requirements. Owner notification began May 23, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Stop lamp assembly overheat
There is no summary currently available
STOP LAMP
There is no summary currently available
Turn signal failures
GM conducted a recall (NHTSA recall number 03V327) on model year (my) 2000-2001 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles to replace defective hazard switches that cause the turn signals and hazard lights to fail.the recall covered vehicles built from February 2000 through May 2001 (depending on model).odi opened this investigation based on 64 reports alleging turn signal failure on my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu…
Turn signal failure
Odi opened the investigation based on 9 complaints of turn signals operating sporadically on the 2000-2001 Chevrolet malibu.the turn signals quit working without warning and May occur while the vehicle is in motion or standing still.GM identified the hazard switch as the root cause of this problem.electrical current to the turn signal passes through the hazard switch.failure of the hazard switchresults in loss of…
Turn signal failures
By letter dated August 27, 2003, GM notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 Chevrolet malibu, Oldsmobile alero, and Pontiac grand am.GM's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning February 1, 2000 through May 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and February 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001 (malibu).GM reports that turn…
Turn signal failures
In December 2004, GM issued a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03V327. The policy covered turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurred first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (241), 2012 (202), 2010 (195), 2009 (172) and 2005 (153) model years. Headlight complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 12V-484 (turn signal, Oct 4, 2012); 03V-327 (switch, Aug 28, 2003); 02V-107 (headlights, Apr 10, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the turn signal (169 mentions), followed by the hazard flashing warning lights › switch (142).
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.