Problems · by component

2006 Chevrolet Malibu exterior lighting problems

71 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu cite exterior lighting, 5% of all 1,387 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
71
5% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The rack and pinion needs to be replaced at the speed of 65 the steering feels loose and I was told that the rack and pinion is out, so I am having to replace the entire thing, I dont have a receipt yet because it's going to the shop next week, it seems odd that a car with only 75k miles would need a new rack and pinion. Also the high mount brake light is out..which seems crazy on a car with low miles, I understand that the car is old but to me it's a new car, I only just purchased it in October 2020.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2021Steering, Exterior lightingODI 11422563
“THERE IS A SITUATION HAPPENING WITH THE HEADLIGHT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SO COMPROMISED THAT IT MELTS AND DESTROYS THE CONNECTIONS. I HAVE REPLACED TONS OF BULBS AND NOW THE LIGHT CONNECTOR IS ERODING BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT CONDUCTIVITY WITHIN THE SYSTEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11353483
“BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED; THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED.; DIFFICULTY MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITIONS WITHOUT PUSHING THE BRAKE. GM SAYS THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL, BUT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2019Exterior lighting, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11286947
“THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHT BUILD 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE LAST TIME BEING SATURDAY MORNING, THEN ON THE WAY HOME TONIGHT IT IS OUT AGAIN. LAST FRIDAY, IT WAS WORKING ON MY WAY SOMEWHERE AND THEN QUITE. ON MY WAY HOME IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF I TURNED, HIT A BUMP, ETC. IT JUST GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO OTHERS AS WELL. I FEEL CHEVROLET NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11181718
“BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN FOOT IS RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE OUT THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ONE BOTH IN MOTION OR WHEN CAR IS JUST SITTING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2018Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11162283
“2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU: POWER STEERING LOCKS UP! LOCKS UP TO THE POINT IT TAKE TWO PEOPLE TO TURN THE WHEEL, THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING! HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WHEN BULB IS REPLACED THEY BURN INSTANTLY. T/C NEVER TURNS OFF! RECENT COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN MADE THERE ARE ALSO EVIDENT RECALLS BUT CHEVROLET FAILS TO HONOR THE RECALL AND REFUSE TO FIX BECAUSE THE CARS ARE 2006 AND THE UEAR NOW IS 2018. THIS IS NOT FAIR! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE! IT IS MORALLY UNETHICAL AND ILLEGAL FOR CHEVROLET NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOR THIS RECALL REGARDLESS IF THE CAR WE HAVE IS USED. IF THE RECALL WAS MADE AND WAS NOT FIXED THEY MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE CAR OWNER! I AM SURE CHEVROLET HAS A DATABASE AND IS AWARE AT WHAT AND HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THIS RECALL. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR A LAWSUIT? I DEMAND THAT THIS RECALL BE HONORED AND THIS PROBLEM FIXED ASAP. IF I OR MY FAMILY ARE HARMED DUE TO THIS I WILL SUE SO HELP ME GOD! I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO AGREE THAT WHAT CHEVROLET IS DOING IS WRONG! THE ISSUE HAPPENED SEVERAL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2018Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11151361

Showing 6 of 71 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.