2006 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,759miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the 1,118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,759 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlights have started to fail on a regular interval. I have replaced the low beams 4 times. I just purchased two more because the right low beam has failed again. No, I do not touch the quartz halogen lamp. I have worked with these bulbs for many years.”
NHTSA complaint #10664080, filed 2014-12, 75,000 miles“I can't use my headlamp cause something is wrong with the wire harness if I use my headlamp while drive smoke will come from under the hood I have to always keep them off while drive or sitting still cause I don't want it to catch a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10691302, filed 2015-03, 144,584 miles“The brake lights on my 2006 chevy Malibu work in reverse. Approx 45 seconds after the car is put into drive the brake lights come on and stay on until the brake pedal is depressed. This is not an intermittent problem but is continuous. I also cannot engage my cruise controls. It is a matter of time before a rear end collision occurs. I have researched this problem on line and it appears that many other consumers have had this problem too. …”
NHTSA complaint #10361402, filed 2010-10, 83,000 miles“Cruise control went off. Tried to reset to no avail. Drove approximately 20 miles. Reset cruise control and it worked then stopped working. Stopped the car and checked the brake lights which were steady on. Pushed the brake hard and they went off when the pedal was released. Pushed the brakes again and the brake lights flashed off and on intermittently. Drove another 10 miles and the cruise control was working. A person following me stated my brake lights stayed on whether I was accelerating or stopping.”
NHTSA complaint #10509324, filed 2013-04, 51,097 miles“I was making a left hand turn when the power steering error appeared. All lights turned off in the vehicle and the steering wheel locked; it was as if the vehicle had turned off. I coasted down the street until I parked the car and actually turned the vehicle off. At that point, I was unable to restart the vehicle. The next morning we found the timing belt was broken; once replaced, the vehicle restarted. Since then, the power steering error has displayed numerous times. When turning the wheel extremely left or right, the steering wheels locks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629078, filed 2014-08, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 28 | 3% |
| 2012 | 202 | 22% |
| 2011 | 130 | 13% |
| 2010 | 194 | 14% |
| 2009 | 172 | 11% |
| 2008 | 106 | 11% |
| 2007 | 29 | 3% |
| 2006 | 63 | 6% |
| 2005 | 153 | 16% |
| 2004 | 84 | 7% |
| 2003 | 28 | 5% |
| 2002 | 143 | 25% |
| 2001 | 108 | 15% |
| 2000 | 241 | 26% |
| 1999 | 58 | 7% |
| 1998 | 79 | 8% |
| 1997 | 40 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
812 complaintsElectrical system
142 complaintsFuel system
96 complaintsBrakes
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsElectronic stability control
29 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSuspension
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology