IllustrationENGINE FIRE WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, A POP OR BACK FIRE SOUND WAS HEARD THEN FLAMES WERE SEEN, FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED FIRE. CAR IS SITTING WAITING GM TO RESPOND ON INVESTIGATED EVENT. THIS IS A POLICE CAR AND WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 59 IMPALAS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT. *TR
2002 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
590–25K
9725–50K
10950–75K
10775–100K
130100–150K
69150K+
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
What owners actually said
795 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION IN THE AXLE AND ALSO HEARD A CRACKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 104,000 MILES. BEFORE THE OI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION IN THE AXLE AND ALSO HEARD A CRACKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 104,000 MILES. BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED AND THAT A NEW RACK AND PINION AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE HER A CARFAX REPORT AFTER ONE WAS REQUESTED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,979 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,840.
OUR SON WAS GOING APPX 35 MILES AN HOUR AND MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. A DRUNK DRIVER PULLED OUT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, LITERALLY ON TOP OF MY HUSBANDS CAR - HITTING THEM ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBANDS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. HE WAS IN PERFECT HEALTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AN…
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OUR SON WAS GOING APPX 35 MILES AN HOUR AND MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. A DRUNK DRIVER PULLED OUT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, LITERALLY ON TOP OF MY HUSBANDS CAR - HITTING THEM ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBANDS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. HE WAS IN PERFECT HEALTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND IS NOW A PARTIAL FUNCTIONING QUADRIPLEGIC. ALL BECAUSE OF DEFECTED AIR BAGS!!! I REALIZED ALSO, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE'S SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS WOULD THEN SPONTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS WOULD THEN SPONTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000. UPDATED 04/21/08 *CN UPDATED 04/21/08 *TR
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A STEERING PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER 20,000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *KB
THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING WITH THE RADIO LOCKING OUT ON OUR 2002 IMPALA AT 15,630 MILES. LOVE CHEVY HUMMER RESET THE COMPUTER. LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. AT 16,009 MILES LOVE CHEVY HUMMER REPLACED THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE. LATER, THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED MANY TIMES BUT, WE FOUND T…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING WITH THE RADIO LOCKING OUT ON OUR 2002 IMPALA AT 15,630 MILES. LOVE CHEVY HUMMER RESET THE COMPUTER. LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. AT 16,009 MILES LOVE CHEVY HUMMER REPLACED THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE. LATER, THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED MANY TIMES BUT, WE FOUND THAT WE COULD RESET THE COMPUTER BY SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR AND RESTARTING THE CAR. AT 23720 MILE THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO TUSCALOOSA CHEVROLET. THE COMPUTER INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IT WAS REPROGRAMMED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED OVER AND OVER. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BARKLEY PONTIAC, CADILLAC, GMC. THE COMPUTER CODE INDICATED A BODY CONTROL MODULE WAD NEEDED BUT THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON BY FLASHING THE LOW BEAM / HIGH BEAM LEAVER. NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP SPECIALIST SPOKE WITH CARLEY LEBLANC. (SERVICE REQUEST: 71-437167435). AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS AND PHONE CONSERVATIONS WE WERE TOLD US TO FIX IT OURSELVES IF WE WERE SO CONCERNED. WE SENT ADDITION INFORMATION TO CARLEY LEBLANC AND LATER ANGELINA MONCIVAIS CONTACTED ABOUT OUR COMPLAINTS. AFTER SEVERAL MORE EMAILS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS ANGELINA SAID SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP US. IN JANUARY OF 2008 ALL WARNING INDICATORS STARTED CYCLING AND THE WARNING BELLS STARTED RINGING. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2008 THE IMPALA WOULD NOT START. I CHARGED THE BATTERY AND ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008 TOOK IT BACK IN TO TUSCALOOSA CHEVROLET. AFTER ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS TOLD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF NEARLY $600.00. CALLED GM ASKING FOR HELP SINCE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HAVE OCCURRED SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JUNE 6, 2002. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF PHONE CONVERSATIONS WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING GM WOULD DO. *TR
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND THE RADIO SAYS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET IT STARTED IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND LET THE COMPUTER REBOOT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED AS IF THE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED AS IF THE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE CONTACT WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK A THIRD TIME TO BE REPAIRED. HE PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,800. UPDATED 05/05/08. *BF THE IGNTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED A SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS WERE REPLACED.UPDATED 05/05/08.*B
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR LESS, IT FAILS TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION MEMORY WAS BLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND FAIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR LESS, IT FAILS TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION MEMORY WAS BLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
2002 IMPALA. HAVE A BUILD UP OF WATER IN BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS..VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. HIGH BEAMS WILL NOT TURN ON WITH MULTI SHIFTER AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF USE. DEALER STATES THIS IS ALL NORMAL. THIS LAST PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL IS A NEW PRO…
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2002 IMPALA. HAVE A BUILD UP OF WATER IN BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS..VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. HIGH BEAMS WILL NOT TURN ON WITH MULTI SHIFTER AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF USE. DEALER STATES THIS IS ALL NORMAL. THIS LAST PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL IS A NEW PROBLEM. *TR
Official recalls
415V701000 · 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 engines 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 engines 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 engines 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 ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES 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
2PE06017 · 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.