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2002 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

571 reports with mileage · 224 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 305 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports32 fire reports27 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

123 reports
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115,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNS THE IGNITION, IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. SHE HAS TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES TO TURN THE IGNITION AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMEN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNS THE IGNITION, IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. SHE HAS TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES TO TURN THE IGNITION AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLICKER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE SECURITY LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RELAY SWITCHES RUN THROUGH THE FUEL PUMP. TWO NEW RELAY SWITCHES WERE INSTALLED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,651.

NHTSA ODI #10273151

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP. THE DEALER CHARGED $300 TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR A YEAR; HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED DIM. THE CURRENT MIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP. THE DEALER CHARGED $300 TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR A YEAR; HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED DIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10273120

150,253 miles · May 13, 2009
Exterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHEN USING THE DIMMER LEAVER. I HAVE REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH TWO TIMES ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. COST $450.00 EACH TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268660

83,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTORE THE HEADLIGHTS BY TURNING OFF THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS POSSIBLY FAILING. THE COST FOR REPA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTORE THE HEADLIGHTS BY TURNING OFF THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS POSSIBLY FAILING. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $600. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10267925

85,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Exterior LightingCrash

ON MARCH 19, 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 5AM AND TURNING ON MY HIGHBEAMS. A CAR WAS COMING OVER THE HILL SO I TURNED OFF MY HIGHBEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. IN A PANIC I HIT THE BRAKES AND ENDED UP PUTTING MY CAR IN THE DITCH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE DITCH BUT I WAS PRETTY SHOOK UP. AFTER JIGGLING MY DIMME…

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ON MARCH 19, 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 5AM AND TURNING ON MY HIGHBEAMS. A CAR WAS COMING OVER THE HILL SO I TURNED OFF MY HIGHBEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. IN A PANIC I HIT THE BRAKES AND ENDED UP PUTTING MY CAR IN THE DITCH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE DITCH BUT I WAS PRETTY SHOOK UP. AFTER JIGGLING MY DIMMER SWITCH I WAS ABLE TO GET MY HEADLIGHTS AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE DIMMER SWITCH THAT NEEDED REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $450. I FOUND AN AFTER MARKET ONE ONLINE AND PUT IT IN MYSELF FOR $350. I NOTICED MY LIGHTS FLICKERING BEFORE THIS EVENT BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. USUALLY IT WAS 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK FOR TWO WEEKS WHEN THE SWITCH FINALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL DIMMER SWITCHES DUE TO THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ON A VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING IN THE DARK. IN MY CASE I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN DURING BAD ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263236

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 IMPALA AND THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE. MY BLINKERS WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. WHEN I PUSH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND OFF 3 OR 4 TIMES THE BLINKERS START TO WORK AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261897

60,000 miles · Mar 2, 2009
Exterior LightingVisibility

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A RELATIVE. HAS HAD THE PROBLEM THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED IT. I WAS TOLD TO JUST NEVER USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THEY DON'T STAY ON ANYWAY. I RECENTLY SPOKE TO A CHEVROLET MECHANIC THAT STATED THAT ALMOST ALL IMPALAS THAT COME IN ON TRADE HAVE A DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH. $300-400 REPAIR. I HAVE NO HIGH…

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BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A RELATIVE. HAS HAD THE PROBLEM THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED IT. I WAS TOLD TO JUST NEVER USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THEY DON'T STAY ON ANYWAY. I RECENTLY SPOKE TO A CHEVROLET MECHANIC THAT STATED THAT ALMOST ALL IMPALAS THAT COME IN ON TRADE HAVE A DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH. $300-400 REPAIR. I HAVE NO HIGH BEAMS. SWITCH HAS BEEN BAD ENTIRE TIME. BUT IF EVERY IMPALA THAT COMES INTO THE DEALERSHIP HAS THIS ISSUE WHY IS THERE NO RECALL. I ASK EVERY IMPALA OWNER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. ESPECIALLY SINCE SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS JUST GO OUT, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. LETS GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. ESPECIALLY SINCE GM KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING TO ADDRESS IT. ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS GOING TO THE FULL UP POSITION WHEN TURNING THEM OFF. HEARD THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260462

57,200 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER HEAD LAMPS DIMMED PERIODICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT MODULAR FAILED AND COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER HEAD LAMPS DIMMED PERIODICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT MODULAR FAILED AND COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,500.

NHTSA ODI #10259203

67,900 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Exterior Lighting

2001-2002 CHEVY IMPALA HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING WHEN CHANGING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM AT ANY TIME ALSO BURNING WIRE SMELL ON GOING PROBLEM WITH GM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED GM WANTS $700 TO FIX . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255253

89,900 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. BOUGHT USED IN 2005 HAD 72,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 89,800 MILES. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM MODULE, REBUILT TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE PCM MODULE, REPLACE ALL FOUR ROTORS ALONG WITH BRAKE PADS ALL AROUND, AND NOW MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL HAS STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTL…

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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. BOUGHT USED IN 2005 HAD 72,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 89,800 MILES. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM MODULE, REBUILT TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE PCM MODULE, REPLACE ALL FOUR ROTORS ALONG WITH BRAKE PADS ALL AROUND, AND NOW MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL HAS STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WORKS FINE. WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS WORKING THE HAZARDS WORK FINE AS WELL, BUT WHEN THE LEFT ISN'T NEITHER DOES THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM IT DISENGAGES THE TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH THEREFORE DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL. I READ ON A FORUM THAT REPLACING THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER NOT MY CASE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL MODULE, BUT THE PART IS 299.99 PLUS LABOR OR THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY COULD TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM, BUT AT ASTRONOMICAL LABOR CHARGES. FROM ALL THE FORUMS I'VE READ AND MY OWN PROBLEMS THE 2000-2002 IMPALAS ARE NOTHING, BUT GARBAGE! THIS WILL BE MY LAST AMERICAN MADE CAR! VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251644

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 26, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Apr 8, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE06017 · Alleged Headlight Failure

Opened May 15, 2006 · Closed Oct 25, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Exterior Lighting

A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.