Chevrolet
Malibu Front Turn Signal Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out front turn
signal light bulb in a 9th generation 2016 to 2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu sedan.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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2020 Malibu Turn Signal |
Turn Front Wheels |
Black Wheel Well Liner |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth
generation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 GM Chevrolet
Malibu in changing a burnt out front turn signal light bulb located in the
housing attached to the lower part of the front bumper cover. 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 wedge base light bulb part number is 7444NA which is available from various manufacturers such as Sylvania, Philips, GE and Bosch. If you'd like to have brighter front turn signal lights that will also last much longer before burning out compared to the traditional incandescent bulbs, install some 7444NA LED units. The tools needed to access and replace the light bulbs include a Torx T15 star bit screwdriver and a plastic pry bar tool or a large flat head screwdriver. The first step is to turn the steering wheel all the way in the opposite direction of the burnt out front turn signal light bulb. Turning the front wheels will help create more room to work in the wheel well area situated in front of the tire. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Remove Middle Screw |
Remove 3rd Top Screw |
Locate the three
black metal screws along the front outer edge of the wheel well liner panel. Remove the screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the Torx T-15 star bit screwdriver. |
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Three Screws Removed |
Gently Pry Back Liner |
Wheel Well Liner Open |
Set the three
screws aside in a safe place. Use the plastic pry bar tool to gently pull out the wheel well liner. Either hold back the wheel well liner panel with one hand or wedge it back against the tire. |
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Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Bulb Socket Removed |
Once the wheel well
liner is out of the way, you'll be able to see the round black plastic turn
signal light bulb socket. (If your Malibu is equipped with traditional incandescent fog lights, you'll also see the fog light bulb socket.) Rotate the base of the turn signal bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing. |
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OEM Light Bulb |
Empty Bulb Socket |
Empty Bulb Housing |
Pull the old light
bulb straight out of the socket. If you have trouble removing the old light bulb due to corrosion (rust), sand or other debris, try gently wiggling the bulb back and forth while pulling it straight out. |
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Push In New Light Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Close Liner |
Push a new number
7444NA wedge base light bulb
straight into the socket. If you'd like to have brighter front turn signal lights, install some compatible replacement 7444NA LED bulbs. If you installed LED bulbs, I recommend testing them before installing them into the housing. If the LED bulb doesn't work, try pulling it straight out of the socket, rotate it 180 degrees and push it back into the socket. Some LED bulbs are "polarized" and will only turn on when the "+" positive and "-" negative electrical contacts are in the correct orientation. Insert the bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. Push the wheel well liner back into place. |
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Line Up Screw Holes |
Replace Three Screws |
Test New Turn Signal |
Make sure the three
screw holes in the wheel well liner are lined up with their corresponding
metal clips. Replace the three screws by turning them in the clockwise direction with the Torx T15 screwdriver until they are snug. To test the new front turn signal light bulbs, activate the hazard signals. Don't forget 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. |
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