RoadVitals

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Feb 19, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 694 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 19, 2024

Bulb - Third Brake Light Assembly: replace the third brake lamp asm. its broken. Common issue with Chevy malibus 2016-2018. The bulb in the back of the rear window which is an added indicator that the vehicle is braking. Cars are almost crashing my car when i break to turn. I have a young son in the car and this is dangerous especially if this is a common issue amount chevy malibu drivers. There is a GM forum where numerous people are complaining about being given $400-$700 repair estimates when it should be a recall from the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID
11572701
Incident
Feb 19, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2023

The third brake light cracked for unknown reasons in several spots. This has caused water to leak in and damage the ceiling/interior. It is just one of several issues that have happened since purchasing this vehicle brand new in 2018. It has singlehandedly been the worst vehicle that I have ever purchased as it has been unreliable, dangerous (shift to park, reduced engine power, etc) and costly with repairs.

NHTSA ID
11540189
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2023

3rd brake light cracked on both sides.

NHTSA ID
11535642
Incident
Jul 31, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 11, 2023

The rear liner had water indications, with an odor of mildew in the car. I couldn't drive around with mildew in my car. I notuved shortly after i purchased yhe vehicle that the brake light was cracked. I didmt think much of it, thought it was just a cosmetic thing. It was taken to my dealership and they confirmed the water was getting in through the cracked brake light. I did a little research and it seems to be a common issue with Malibu's. No warning other than the smell, that made me check the back seat.

NHTSA ID
11511370
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed Jun 22, 2022

Third brake light cracks on left side, resulting in damage to the brake light and letting water leak in through the roof damaging the car's interior, including the rear curtain airbags.

NHTSA ID
11470384
Incident
Jun 15, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2021

THE PASSENGER SIDE LED LIGHT (DAY TIME/FOG LIGHT) HAS GONE OUT. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND RAN ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AT THE EXACT SPOT. IF THERE ISN'T A RECALL THEN ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY BEEN IN ORDER. LED LIGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT AND I SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11414187
Incident
Apr 26, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2019

HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB TWICE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11240735
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHTTIME:HEADLIGHTS LIGHTBEAM REACHES ONLY 12 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. LEVEL ADJUSTMENT IS AT MAXIMUM HIGH. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST LIGHTS TO A HIGHER LEVEL

NHTSA ID
11173660
Incident
Oct 25, 2018
Mileage
800 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 25, 2018

MY RIGHT BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP SHORTING OUT. IT WILL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN STOP WORKING. ALSO, THE INTERIOR CARPET IS TOO SHORT AND KEEP COMING OUT OF THE TRIM IN THE FRONT AREA S OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11064909
Incident
Jan 1, 2018

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .