1997-2002 Malibu's have issues with the brake lights continuously going out. The seal around the tail lights are prone to failure. If you are constantly replacing bulbs that means your bulb holder is fried. It's a very common issue and easy to solve. You can buy the bulb holder separate.

To replace the Bulb holder for the rear tail lights you simply remove the carpeting in the trunk by the tail lights. To do this there are 2 little plastic twist nuts. Remove those, and then there are 3 more that go into the body. Remove those and the tail light falls out. Do Not pull on the wires for the connector. Use a pocket screw driver and gently pop the connector off. Same with removing the bulb holder from the tail lights. There are 4 little plastic clips. If you are not careful you will break them.

To reinstall the tail lights simply put the bulb holder back on the tail light assembly. Plug back in the connector. Line the holes up and push the tail light in flush. Put the lower plastic twist nut on first and then put the other 2 on. The place the carpet back over the holes and put the remaining two nuts on.

This is only a temporary fix. It may take a couple years but eventually moisture will corrode the holder again. To avoid this you will need to replace the whole assembly. If you use rubber care on the new seals every once in a while it will increase longevity.

Hope this helps people. I see a ton of our cars out there with no brake lights. You can easily tell if the bulb holder has been sabotaged. You will see either green corrosion or burn marks on the metal causing it to turn brown. In the contact where you stick the bulb in.

 

Good write up

 

Thanks Lee.