09 malibu drivers side headlight went out

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dear blackandchrome,

I have read your post. Please, let me know what the outcome is of your visit to the dealership.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

[ElderNurse]

This is getting to be rediculous! My low beam headlight on the passenger side is out and my 3rd brake light is on when not being used. My battery died a month ago and locked me in the car. Chevrolet you are really letting me down!!! I have a 2009 Malibu LTZ it is a beautiful car but starting to be a thorn in my side.

[daveyio87]

Pulling the front bumper off on the malibu is quite easy. I can have it off in less than ten minutes. And it can be done on the ground. A bunch of push pins and some 10mm boltd and 7mm bolts. You dont have to remove the wheel house liner just the push pins that hold the liner to the bumper. I havent seen a bad connector on the malibu yet but have seen them on the saturn outlook. Bulbs do burn out they arent made to last like they use to... I had a 90 cadillac with over 140k on it still the original bulbs (i sold it in 08).

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

I’m sorry to read about your frustrations with your Malibu, ElderNurse.

The low beam head light is a maintenance item.

Under normal circumstances your concerns with the brake light would be covered under the Bumper to Bumper limited warranty. If you would like me to research the warranty information for your vehicle please, send me a private message with the VIN.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

[Dilatory]

Originally Posted by ElderNurse

This is getting to be rediculous! My low beam headlight on the passenger side is out and my 3rd brake light is on when not being used. My battery died a month ago and locked me in the car. Chevrolet you are really letting me down!!! I have a 2009 Malibu LTZ it is a beautiful car but starting to be a thorn in my side.

The brake light issue is addressed in a post in this very sub-forum.

Your car cannot lock you in, you can pull up on the lock and let yourself out.

It's almost 2013 accounting for the fact that your car was likely assembled in 2008 and your battery before that even your battery is probably pushing 4-5 years old, probably time for a new one, factory batteries rarely last longer than 5 years.

Headlight bulbs are a maintenance item. Again, 3-4 year old bulbs, time for new ones.

Only one of these is abnormal and out of specs but a fix has already been found and it's a matter of reseating connectors and possibly a little dielectric grease. No need to cry wolf.

[ElderNurse]

The low beam headlight under normal circumstances would be maintenance issue, but after buying the replacement bulb the old bulb started working again and after that it was on and off. It ended up being the wiring harness. This is repaired now. The battery was understandable and replaced promptly. I was locked in the car because there has been a issue with the door hanging and pulling up on it on the driver's side front did not release the lock. All is well after all I love it and even roses have thorns but we try not to get pricked by them while enjoying their beauty. Eldernurse aka Little Red Riding Hood

[Dilatory]

Originally Posted by ElderNurse

The low beam headlight under normal circumstances would be maintenance issue, but after buying the replacement bulb the old bulb started working again and after that it was on and off. It ended up being the wiring harness. This is repaired now. The battery was understandable and replaced promptly. I was locked in the car because there has been a issue with the door hanging and pulling up on it on the driver's side front did not release the lock. All is well after all I love it and even roses have thorns but we try not to get pricked by them while enjoying their beauty. Eldernurse aka Little Red Riding Hood

Well, at least you have a sense of humor about it xD

Glad you got everything worked out, nothing is without its kinks. For all the flack people give GM I really think they get most things more or less right, just have to rub your car the right way sometimes.

With that said, the bumper design IS a bit goofy but, once you do one side, the other side and repeated removals really aren't that difficult. Did one side in about 40 minutes the first time I attempted it and can do each side in 15-20 now. It's something that has to be dealt with every few years but ultimately it's not a deal breaker.