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 miniature wedge base light bulb part number is 2825 (also known as "W5W") which are available from various manufacturers such as Sylvania, Philips and Bosch.

If you would like to have brighter dome lights (also known as the rear passenger courtesy reading lights or the "room" lamps), install some 2825 LED bulbs.

The only tool needed to access and replace the bulbs is a plastic pry bar tool or a small flat head screwdriver such as from a jeweler's screwdriver set.

Carefully insert the blade of the screwdriver or your plastic automotive trim panel removal tool in between the translucent plastic lens cover and the light housing.

Try to avoid tearing the fabric headliner or scratching the plastic pieces if you use a metal screwdriver.

Try to avoid using excessive force. The lens cover should pop off relatively easily.

Set the lens cover aside in a safe place.

Grasp the old light bulb with your thumb and forefinger before pulling it straight out of the socket.

The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) light bulb in this 2020 Malibu LT was marked as part number "W5W" which is the same as the 2825 bulb.

Push a new number 2825 light bulb straight into the socket.

If you would like to have brighter dome lights, install some compatible replacement 2825 LED bulbs.

Press the "On / Off" buttons to test the new bulb.

If the LED bulb doesn't turn on, try pulling it out of the socket, rotate it 180 degrees and push it back into the socket. Some LED bulbs are polarized and will only work when the "+" positive and "-" negative electrical contacts are in the correct orientation.

Line up the small plastic retaining clips on the lens cover with their corresponding slots in the light housing.

You should hear or feel the retaining clips "click" securely into place.

Double check that the lens cover is flush with the light housing at every edge.

To test the new light bulbs again, press the "On / Off" buttons.

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

I also recommend leaving the interior light switch on the "Door" setting so that the map lights and dome lights will turn on when the driver door or any passenger door is opened.

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