2009 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior Lighting Problems
NHTSA component category: EXTERIOR LIGHTING · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How exterior lighting ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,509 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu overview page.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10471701 — filed 08/21/2012
“REAR BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A REASON AS TO WHEN OR WHY IT TURNS ON. DEALERSHIP SHRUGS THEIR SHOULDERS…”NHTSA complaint 10416397 — filed 07/31/2011
“CAR WILL NOT START, DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK W/OUT PROMPTS, LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF, RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, & INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM…”NHTSA complaint 10379237 — filed 01/26/2011
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior Lighting complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have exterior lighting problems?
Exterior Lighting is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu: 154 of 1,509 complaints on file (10.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have in total?
1,509 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 41 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 44 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's exterior lighting category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the EXTERIOR LIGHTING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
