THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED. ON A 1 HOUR COMMUTE, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAN START WORKING, STOP WORKING, AND THEN START WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V-252 BUT AS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL 13036 EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL INCLUDED OTHER 2009 CHEVY MALIBUS. I TRIED CALLING THE NUMBER FOR GM L…
2009 chevrolet Malibu lighting problems
moderate 83 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
83
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS FAILING. THE WIRING HARNESS KEEPS FRYING OVER AND OVER. CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE!
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2009 chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 83 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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