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Exterior lightingPart report

2010 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
194about this part
Share
14%of 1,363 total for the year
Median mileage
96,572miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 194 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 14% of the 1,363 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,572 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Passenger low beam headlight was replaced 4 times. Upon removal of the 4th headlight I noticed the wiring harness was melted. I replaced the wiring harness with a new one and now the low beam does not work at all. I just received a ticket last night from the police. A fix it ticket...and now I don't know how I am going to fix this.”

NHTSA complaint #11306378, filed 2020-01, 125,000 miles

“I had to replace the wiring harness for the headlight unit due to the low beam connector melting and now only 3 months later, both low beam connectors have melted leaving me with no headlights. This is a very common problem on these cars and a huge safety issue. Both times this has happened, I was driving. Once on city streets and twice on the interstate”

NHTSA complaint #11270086, filed 2019-10, 110,000 miles

“Low beam head lights keep going out, no matter how much I get them fixed. I can bang on the front end and sometimes they'll come on, but sometimes not. Tired if replacing and or fixing them, every few months! Also my svc tire monitor light keeps coming on and say low tire pressure and my tires are not low......”

NHTSA complaint #11364199, filed 2020-10, 158,958 miles

“My drivers side low beam headlight keeps going out. It'll come back on if you tap the headlight for so long and then I have to replace the bulb. Upon researching it I found a lot of other mail I owners have this problem too. I've already replace the bulb 3 times this year (2019). If you hit a bump most of the time it's going to go out or come back on depending on if it's off or on.”

NHTSA complaint #11241572, filed 2019-08, 121,000 miles

“Steering gets hard to maneuver while driving all lights come on on the dashboard and have to stop and reset vehicle, headlights work when they want to. I was driving on a highway when my steering got hard to use. I had to get on the shoulder and reset the battery, in order to get home safely”

NHTSA complaint #11384971, filed 2020-12, 212,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202311%
202222%
202011%
201942%
201891%
2017213%
2016192%
201541%
201451%
2013283%
201220222%
201113013%
201019414%
200917211%
200810611%
2007293%
2006636%
200515316%
2004847%
2003285%
200214325%
200110815%
200024126%
1999587%
1998798%
1997409%

Other parts of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Steering
454 complaints
Electrical system
295 complaints
Electronic stability control
227 complaints
Brakes
199 complaints
Air bags
144 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
133 complaints
Vehicle speed control
116 complaints
Engine
115 complaints
Other or unknown
87 complaints
Body and structure
44 complaints
Fuel system
39 complaints
Wheels
33 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 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