Headlights problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front headlights failed to illuminate without warning at start-up. The contact had taken the vehicle to a relative who was able to replace both headlights. Two months after the repair, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate and had the headlight was replaced again by her relative. Despite the replacement of the headlight, the new headlight failed to operate as needed. The contact then purchased a third headlight and the headlight also failed to operate. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Passenger side low beam headlight goes out randomly. Wiring and headlight have been replaced, and does not seem to solve this issue. This happens approx. Every 6 months if not more. You have to remove the front bumper to get to the headlight which is a pain if done yourself. Very expensive if you pay a mechanic.

Passenger side low-beam head light keeps going out, and have to replace every six months or less. Very costly due to design. Front bumper needs to be removed to get to headlight. Have had different mechanics change and issue continues to be the same.

My vehicle is experiencing all symptoms related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 and there is no active recall for my VIN. That problem his causing high voltage which keeps causing electrical issues like burning cables to the headlights and not getting power to multiple interior equipment such as the ipc which stops working while driving and I am no longer able to my speed and other information. I also get a engine power reduced error from a bad connected from the app to the bcm, code p1238.

The low beam headlights on my vehicle burn out and need to be replaced every 3-4 months (3-4 times per year for the last 6 years I have owned the vehicle). This is not only an expensive repair (because my mechanic needs to remove the bumper in order to complete it), but extremely dangerous. Multiple times my headlights have suddenly stopped working at night without warning. Sometimes pulling over and hitting the headlight assembly will cause it to have a better connection again, causing the lights to work, but this fix is only temporary. The connectors keep melting, my mechanic and I now believe, due to the high amperage caused by the 70% reduction in power during the vehicle's daytime running light mode. My complaints to the manufacturer have gone unheard. It is clear that the manufacturer needs to provide for a heavier connector than the oem part, and perhaps different bulbs, to remedy this safety issue. In the year 2020 it should not be so difficult to keep both low beam headlights running! I can get around the issue by using my high beam lights, but this is hazardous to other motorists. It is a poor design, and I am convinced that there will not be a satisfactory fix for this safety issue until NHTSA compels gm to issue a recall.

The low beam portion of headlights started going out and back on periodically while driving I've replaced the bulbs twice within 6 months and it continues to repeat issue the bulbs are not blown. Multiple reports online of this issue but no recall. If headlights fail during dark driving conditions could cause serious or even fatal accidents. The information online suggests wiring harness issues.

The esc turns off pretty much every time I drive the car. Last Monday the check engine light came on when the transmission was slipping m. The the transmission would no longer shift and the solenoid is stuck open while driving home from work. Prompting the dealership to try and sell me a whole new $5,000 trans. When the car only has 130,000 miles on it. The transmission has been running slow on acceleration but has never been stuck in first gear leaving me left on the side of the road waiting for help to come get me. The headlight burn out like every 6 months resulting in taking off the bumper or paying $200 from the dealership for a $5 bulb. I have no pictures since my car is at the dealership waiting for me to either go get or pay for the transmission.

With in the last 10 to 12 months I've had 5 headlights burn out. One the module had melted. The current light out is once again on the passenger side that burnt out January 24, 2020. So far to date it's been 2 on the driver side, 3 on the passenger side.

Exterior passenger side headlight keeps going out. I have had it replaced/repair about 4 times in the last 6 months. It may go out at anytime.

I have gotten my low beam headlights changed on both sides twice, costing me $150 each time due to having to remove the bumper, and they keep going out!!! I work at night in an area heavily populated with deer, among other issues with just needing to have my headlights working regularly. I don't have money to keep replacing them! and I just got it in October.

In the past few years my headlight keeps going out. I replace the bulb and like a month later it goes out again. Went to replace again and bulb was fine but bad wiring. Fixed that and today now both headlights are out. I just replaced them in the summer not sure how they can be out again! it is not an easy process to get to these lights making it a lot of work and money if I dont do it myself which now that its negative out I will be paying to get this fixed yet again. I was just leaving the grocery store turned them on and they were not working.

My 2011 Malibu has faulty headlights that continuously go out and cannot be changed without removing the front bumper which requires the assistance of a mechanic and therefore costs hundreds of dollars to do. Even after the bulb is changed, it has been known to go out again as quickly as hours later. This creates unsafe driving conditions as often times the outages occur spontaneously, at night, and on dark roadways. It is becoming increasingly dangerous and financially taxing to own and operate this vehicle due to the problems with the headlights.

When I first purchased the vehicle the engine light would constantly come on and go off but now the engine light is always on. I just recently started having issues with the airbags on the passenger side not being engaged and the engine esc comes on whenever it pleases, even when the weather is good outside. Last weekend, my battery died for the first time, I'm just glad that I had someone to jump me off. My primary concern is my headlights. I have gotten pulled over by the police 3 times due to my intermittent headlights. The first time my right side headlight went out, a officer pulled me over and informed me of the issue, so I got it fixed the very next day. A week goes by and I get pulled over again and the officer informed me but this time I informed the officer that I just changed the bulb a week ago and he mentioned that it could be the wiring. After the officer left, I got out my car and hit the headlight with my fist and it came back on just to go back out the next day. I went to my local mechanic and he changed the light bulb socket. That only lasted 3 or 4 weeks and now I literally have to ride with my headlights on bright or can't be out at night. After going to multiple auto shops, they all says that it's the wiring, which I already knew because the gages on my dashboard lights up like christmas lights every other day.

I have continuously had to change my passenger headlight bulbs and that is a hazard and without them you get a ticket. This headlight has gone out at least 3 times a year. I am driving when it happens and if I get out and hit the headlight it may or may not come back on. This started about 2 years ago.

I have a 2011 chevy Malibu and the passenger headlight keeps going out. Not burning out, but quits working! I changed the bulb about 5 times before I realized that it wasn't burning out. All the other lights on that side work fine. A few times I could tap on the headlight assembly and it would come back on. I took it apart and found that the plastic connector was broken and shorted out, so I ordered a new wiring harness that goes from the ground wire split to the headlight assembly, put it together and it worked fine for 2 days and went out again. I took the front end off agian and unplugged the bulb and plugged it back in and it works fine again. I have checked all the wires and the ground screw and can't find a problem.

The headlight keep burning out. I have replaced it three times in two months. Passenger side headlight.

The front passenger headlights low beam keeps going out I have changed the socket 2 times and changed the wire harness 1 time and it's only the low beam burning out on repeat like every other month I change it and try fixing it with new sockets or lights and it keeps burning out I think this has to be an electrical issue from manufacturer because many people are experiencing the same issue on the passenger side headlight low beam please can we get this recalled and fixed please.

Passenger side low beam headlight stopped working. All other lights work fine. Replaced bulb and wiring harness for the headlight assembly and still wont work. Upon further investigation many other chevy Malibu owners have the same exact issue with the same exact light. The light just stopped working one day while stationary.

I have had to replace the low beam headlights numbers times in the last 3 years. The last time a couple weeks ago I found both electrical connectors were burned. I believe this is the cause of the problem and had to replace the connectors. I believe this should not be happening and that it can be a safety issue when driving at night. I did some research on the internet and found this seems to be a common problem. Chevrolet should issue a recall for these faulty connectors.

Esc light comes off and on headlights burnout after maybe a few months of being changed for the last couple years.

I have changed my headlights light 5 times within the 2 years I have had the car. Both headlights was recently out got them replaced a week ago and sure enough they are out again. Something has to be done. This is too expensive and if this is an known issue I don't understand why there isn't a recall.

The passenger low beam headlight has had consistent issue going out. The light has appeared to �burn out� three times in the last two years. Just repaired the headlight 5 months ago and noticed that the bulb actually was not burned out it appeared to not be fully connected in the base. The issue keeps happening and is dangerous because it could happen at any time while driving. Headlight repairs require completely removing front bumper. This is a major issue.

This is now the tenth time one of the headlights have gone out. Tonight driving they both burned out. This is an on going issue and it cost close to $200 to fix each time. This is a known issue that should be recalled.

Passenger side low beam headlight went out. It was replaced and within 2 weeks it went out again. Replaced it for the second time, but light would not come on at all. When installed the bulb was not touched and grease/lubricate was put inside the plug in.

I had the car for about 6 months last November or so and decided to have my headlight bulbs, blinkers, etc all changed since the bumper has to come off. I already had the passenger bulb out. Two months after this repair was done the same headlight went out again. This was replaced and lasted for a few more months and just went out again 07-21-19 for the 3rd time in 8 months. I have looked online and this appears to be a recurring problem for many Malibu owners over many model years.

Drivers side low beam headlight keeps going out, replaced it several times only to realize it's not the bulb itself.

The headlights on my 2011 chevy Malibu have gone out about six times. I have replaced bulbs and wiring harnesses which involves the removal of the complete front fascia of the vehicle. My daughter drives this vehicle at college and has been pulled over numerous times. This is unacceptable and a safety hazard at night.

My headlights go out every couple of months, I change them and before I know it they are out again, the passenger side is the worst, like it has a short or something not sure, but I have had the car for 5 yrs and can't count how many headlight bulbs I have put in the car. I have friends with the same car that have the same problem. It's not a easy job, the whole front end has to come off just to change the headlight bulb, ridiculous! also I cannot afford to take it into a shop every couple of months to get the headlight changed. This needs to be checked into!!.

Headlights keep going out. With it costing more than $250 to replace the lights because you have to remove the front bumper, this is annoying. I just paid $330 to have all of my front lights replaced. Six weeks later, the driver's side headlight is out.

My 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has had 5 incidences over the last year of low beam headlights going out. Never both at the same time. This is not only annoying and expensive each time I bring it in for repairs. It is also dangerous. Particularly when one of the headlights goes out at night time driving on dark roads. Additionally a headlight out is sufficient reason for law enforcement to issue a summons. I contacted general motors may 20th 2019 via phone regarding this safety issue. Received a case number. I received a call back 6 days later. Response was that the car is out of warranty. I did inform gm that there are literally over 300 listings on google for persons with the same problem. Gm shows no interest in this expensive repair, in a repetitive problem, and an illegal situation that can result in law enforcement issuing a summons. Apparently there are issues with the connectors at the bulbs not making contact. The replaced connectors exhibit overheating which may indicate overload of power, or connectors not making contact. This problem took place with original gm connectors intermittently - never on both headlights at once. Here is a similar complaint to NHTSA id number 11204441 4/12/2017 complainant states 5 repairs and still a problem with headlight intermittently going out on driver side. Additionally there are several hundred similar complaints on the web regarding 2010 & 2011 Malibu's. Because the fenders and under the hood plastic panels must be pulled to get at the headlights. . . . This is quite an expensive repair and is repetitive and frequent as well.

Passenger side headlight keeps going out very often (three times in the last month) because the plastic connector melts.

My low beams keep going out on both sides. All other lights seem fine with no apparent issues. I have changed out the bulbs, then found out they were still good all along. I have also replaced the connector. I have noticed that the connector was burned mostly on the drivers side. I changed out both due to the fact you have to remove/partial remove the bumper in order to work on the headlights. The headlights will work for a while then stop again usually only one side at a time. I was told by a friend who also had the same issue on a 2012 that it may be the auto light staying on and the circuit may be overheating. Not sure if this is accurate but it sounds logical. This has been happening for 4 years now with this month being the most recent after about 6 months since replacing wires and I have not seen any know recall on this issue. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

3rd time passanger headlight has gone out in the last year. Along with the previous issues I reported.

My low beam headlights both go on when using remote to unlock door, but as soon as I put the key in ignition and turn it to start the car, the passenger headlight goes out. I have taken car to dealer twice in the past 6 months and they replaced the bulb, which is obviously not the problem. Yesterday it went out yet again. Many people have posted the same issue with this car. Initiate a recall. It's obviously a manufacturing issue.

Driver side headlight low beam keeps going out I have replaced the bulb 5 times and keeps going on and off. Some days it works some days it doesn't. I have been pulled over for this a few times and I have to show officer the receipts I have to prove I have tried to fix my light. Please do a recall on this as I have seen alot of complaints about this same issue. This needs to be fixed there is obviously an issue with the headlight and it is very dangerous to not be able to see correctly while im driving and is distracting to other vehicles as well.