Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC such as the Impala, Sonic, Spark, Trax, Equinox, Cavalier, Lumina, Venture, Cobalt, Cruze, LaCrosse, Regal, Verano, LeSabre, Lucerne, Cascada, DeVille, CTS, STS, Savana, Acadia and Terrain may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 3057, Rear Turn Signal # 3057 and Reverse # 921.

If you would like to have brighter lights that will also last much longer before burning out, install some 3057 LED and 921 LED bulbs.

The first two steps are to open the trunk and then move to the side of the vehicle with the burnt out bulb.

The only tool needed to remove the tail light housing and access the bulb sockets is a standard Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove the cargo net anchor that secures the carpet liner in place by turning it in the counterclockwise direction.

Set the cargo net anchor aside in a safe place.

If your Malibu is not equipped with cargo net anchors, you may instead need to pry out the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners that secure the cargo area liner in place.

Gently pull back the liner to access the two thumb nuts that secure the tail light assembly to the rear corner of the car.

Spin the thumb nuts of the threaded rods and set them aside in a safe place.

Remove the screw by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Gently pull the tail light housing straight off the rear corner of the car.

If you have trouble removing the housing, you may need to carefully and gently wiggle it back and forth while pulling it straight back.

Try to avoid using excessive force.

The light housing should slide off the rear corner of the vehicle relatively easily.

Place a towel in between the tail light housing and the rear bumper cover to prevent the plastic lens or the paint from being scratched.

The brake light bulb is located at the bottom of the housing.

The reverse light is in the center of the housing and the rear turn signal bulb is situated at the top of the housing.

Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the socket.

Carefully pull the old wedge base light bulb straight out of the socket.

If you have trouble removing the old bulb due to corrosion (rust) or debris, put on some gloves to protect your hands and try gently wiggling the bulb back and forth in the socket while pulling it straight out.

Try to avoid using excessive pressure on the bulb to prevent from having it break between your fingers and cut your skin.

Both the brake and rear turn signal light bulbs are white/clear number 3057 bulbs.

If you would like to have brighter lights that will last much longer than the incandescent bulbs, install some compatible replacement 3057 LED bulbs.

Re-insert the socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place.

If you would like to have brighter reverse (back-up) lights for extra safety, install some compatible miniature wedge base number 921 LED light bulbs.

Once you are done replacing the bulbs, slide the tail light housing back into place on the rear corner of the vehicle.

Replace the Phillips head screw by turning it in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the screw to prevent from cracking the plastic inner edge of the housing.

Spin on the two thumb nuts in the clockwise direction and tighten them until they are snug.

Push the carpet trunk liner panel back into place.

Replace the cargo net anchor or the pop rivet fasteners.

To test the new light bulbs, have an assistant step on the brake pedal, turn on the hazard signals and shift the transmission into reverse by moving the gear selector from "P" to "R".

Be sure to write down the bulb change in your vehicle's service records.

Please take a look at all of the Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.