(The procedure should be the same or very similar for models with the 2.0L and 1.8L engines.)

The 9th generation Malibu was supposed to undergo a "facelift" in 2022 or 2023 and the refreshed vehicle may have continued being produced into the 2024 and 2025 model years but it will now apparently be discontinued after the 2023 model year.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Holden such as the Impala, Corvette, Bolt, Sonic, Spark, Express, Trax, TrailBlazer, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, LaCrosse, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CT6 and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Low Beam # H11, High Beam # 9005 and Front Side Marker # 194.

If you'd like to have brighter headlights that will also last much longer before burning out, install some H11 LED, 9005 LED and 194 LED bulbs.

The tools needed to access and replace the light bulbs in the passenger side headlight housing include a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat head screwdriver.

The light bulbs in the driver side headlight housing are relatively easy to access with out any extra steps. If you need more working area to reach the high beam, you can pull out the windshield washer filler tube. You may also choose to remove the 12V battery. Check out the 2016-2023 Chevrolet Malibu 12V Battery Replacement Guide for instructions on how to take the battery out of the engine bay.

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

For this guide, I'll be replacing the bulbs in the passenger side headlight housing which requires removing the entire engine air filter housing for easier access.

Loosen the screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

The screws are "captured" and should remain attached to the top of the air box cover.

Turn the hose clamp fastener in the counterclockwise direction with the flat head screwdriver or you can instead use a socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Pull the cover off the top of the air box.

Set the air box cover aside in a safe place.

Tuck the rubber air intake hose behind the A/C system's refrigerant pipe.

Firmly grasp the bottom half of the air box and pull it out of the engine bay.

The bottom half of the air box is held in place by a few rubber friction fasteners.

Set the bottom half of the air box aside in a safe place.

The low beam bulb is located near the middle of the housing.

Locate the round black plastic dust cover on the back side of the housing.

Set the dust cap aside in a safe place.

Rotate the base of the old low beam light bulb 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing.

Push the electrical connector on to the base of a new number H11 light bulb.

You should feel the power plug "click" securely into place.

Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.

If you'd like to have brighter low beam lights that will also last much longer before burning out compared to the traditional halogen bulbs, install some compatible replacement H11 LED bulbs.

Line up the round dust cap with the low beam bulb housing.

The high beam light bulb is located near the inner edge of the housing.

Locate the round black plastic dust cover on the back side of the headlight assembly.

Set the dust cover aside in a safe place.

Rotate the base of the old high beam light bulb 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing.

Slide the power plug straight off the base of the old high beam light bulb.

Push the electrical connector straight on to the base of a new number 9005 halogen light bulb.

Avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.

If you'd like to have brighter high beam lights, install some compatible replacement 9005 LED bulbs.

Twist on the dust cover 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place.

Look behind the headlight housing and locate the flat black plastic tab or "handle" for the side marker light bulb socket situated next to the low beam bulb dust cover.

Rotate the tab on the side marker socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing.

If you have trouble removing the old light bulb from the socket due to rust, sand or other debris, try gently wiggling it back and forth while pulling it straight out.

Push a new number 194 miniature wedge base light bulb straight into the socket.

If you'd like to have brighter front side marker lights, install some compatible replacement 194 LED bulbs.

If you installed any LED bulbs, I highly recommend testing the lights before you replace the engine air filter housing.

If your LED bulbs don't work, try disconnecting the power plug and rotate it 180 degrees before pushing it back on to the bulb. Some LED bulbs are "polarized" and will only work when the "+" positive and "-" negative electrical contacts are in the correct orientation.

Lower the bottom half of the air box down into the engine bay.

Replace the engine air filter element. The pleats should be facing down and the metal wire mesh screen should be facing up towards you.

Slide the tabs into their slots and lower the air box cover down into place.

Push the rubber air intake hose over the plastic tube on the front edge of the air box.

Make sure the rubber air intake hose is securely attached and can not be pulled off the air box.

Tighten the six screws on the air box cover by turning them in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

The front turn signal light bulb is located down below in a separate housing attached to the front bumper cover.

If you need to replace it, check out the 2016-2023 Chevrolet Malibu Front Turn Signal Light Bulb Replacement Guide.

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

Please check out all of the 2016-2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.