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 tools needed to complete this procedure include a small flat head screwdriver, a plastic pry bar tool, a 7mm socket with an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and then fully open the door.

Use a small flat head screwdriver or a plastic automotive trim panel removal tool to gently pry out the small plastic cover located behind the chrome silver door opener handle.

Move down to the door pull handle well in the armrest behind the switch panel.

Pry out the rubber cover at the bottom of the well with the flat head screwdriver.

Loosen the screw located behind the door opener handle by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 7mm socket, an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the screw aside with its corresponding plastic trim cover.

Set the door pull handle screw aside with the rubber cover.

Move to the bottom edge of the door panel and locate the black metal screw just below the speaker grille closer to the front of the door.

You will need to remove and re-insert the plastic pry bar tool in several locations along the front, side and rear edge of the switch panel to fully release all of the metal friction fasteners and plastic retaining clips.

Avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking or scratching the plastic switch panel.

Once all of the clips have been released, turn over the switch panel to access the electrical connector.

You might also be able to use your fingernail to slide out the white plastic lock tab.

If you are removing the driver side door panel, there should be an extra electrical connector or two that you will have to disconnect due to the additional buttons on that switch panel.

Set the switch panel aside in a safe place.

Loosen the two black metal screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with a 7mm socket, an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Insert the plastic pry bar tool (or a large flat head screwdriver) in between the bottom edge of the plastic door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to release the plastic pop rivets.

Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

The door panel is still held in place by five metal retaining clips situated along the top edge of the door panel by the rubber weatherstripping.

Lifting the top edge of the door panel will remove the five metal retaining clips from their slots on the top of the door frame.

Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself to access the back side.

Locate the white plastic clip that secures the door opener handle cable to the back side of the door panel.

Swing the metal cable out of the slot and away from the door panel.

Lift the ball at the end of the cable out of its socket.

Gently slide out the red locking tab.

Push down the release button on the connector before sliding the power plug straight out of its socket.

In order to re-install the plastic door panel later on, you must slide the rubber weather strip out of the metal retaining clips on the door panel, detach the five metal clips and re-attach them to the metal door frame.

Use a flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool to pop out the five clips.

Be careful when you pry out the clips since they might come flying out into your face or become lost.

The clips also act as the guide slot for the rubber weather strip.

Lower the metal clips into the metal slots on the top edge of the door frame close to the glass window's slot.

Please take a look at the picture above to make sure you have re-installed the metal retaining clips in the correct orientation.

Make sure the weatherstrip is fully seated and properly installed by checking the picture above.

Note - If you do not remove the weather strip and metal retaining clips from the plastic door panel and re-attach them to the metal door frame, you will NOT be able to properly re-install the plastic door panel later on.

The speaker is held in place by one 7mm screw located at the top of the bracket.

Remove the screw by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 7mm socket, a short extension bar and the 1/4" drive ratchet.

Slide the red locking tab out away from the speaker. Then push in the release button on the electrical connector before sliding it straight out of the socket.

The OEM front door speaker can be replaced with aftermarket car speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" and 6 3/4".

I highly recommend applying some Dynamat sound deadener to the metal door frame and the back side of the plastic door panel to help reduce vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

There is nothing more frustrating than installing awesome new car speakers and having the experience ruined by a rattling plastic panel or a vibrating metal door frame.

Pry them out with a pop rivet removal tool and re-attach them to the back side of the plastic door panel.

Make sure you have already transferred the rubber weather strip and the five metal clips back on to the door frame.

Push the small electrical connector for the power door lock switch into its socket.

Slide the red lock tab in to secure the connector in place.

Swing the cable towards the door panel and into its slot.

Push the white plastic retaining clip on to the black plastic bracket until it "clicks" securely into place.

Push the top of the plastic door panel towards the door frame to secure the clips into the slots.

Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the top edge and both sides of the door panel.

Replace the two armrest screws by turning them in the clockwise direction with the 7mm socket and the 1/4" drive ratchet.

Push the electrical connector straight into the socket on the underside of the switch panel.

Slide the white lock tab in towards the switch panel to secure the connector in place.

Line up the retaining clips on the underside of the switch panel with their slots on the armrest.

Push down the switch panel to secure it into place.

Make sure every edge of the switch panel is flush with the armrest.

Replace the screw behind the door opener handle by turning it in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic door panel.

Gently pop the plastic trim cover back into place behind the door opener handle.

Replace the screw into the bottom edge of the door panel by turning it in the clockwise direction with the 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Sit inside the car, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, power door lock switch, power window switch and speaker are all working properly.

Be sure to record the speaker upgrade or any repair procedure in your vehicle's service records.

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