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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

795 reports
89,000 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

AT 89,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN ONE NIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE COOLANT. I FILLED IT AND WAITED UNTIL THE CAR COOLED. …

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AT 89,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN ONE NIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE COOLANT. I FILLED IT AND WAITED UNTIL THE CAR COOLED. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. WHEN I TOWED IT TO A GARAGE I LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING WATER INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I PAID THE GARAGE TO PUT IN A USED MOTOR. IT COST ME OVER $1300. I NEVER THOUGHT TO CONTACT CHEVY SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW, BECAUSE OF MY INTERNET RESEARCH, I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME I ALSO BOUGHT A SECOND CHEVY IN 2002. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT - MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT 62,000 MILES. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET BY WITH REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET. THE SAME GARAGE GAVE ME A PRICE BREAK AND FIXED IT FOR $252.00. BOO TO CHEVY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174825

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLING SYSTEM LEAK LOW COOLANT WARNING--INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AT 25,461 MILES (AUGUST 2002) LOW COOLANT WARNING--WATER PUMP AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AT 60,045 MILES AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174785

29,207 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FLICKING THE HIGH-BEAM SWITCH RESTORED THE LIGHTS. I JUST LOOKED IN THE ODI DATABASE & DISCOVERED A CLOSED INVESTIGATION (PE06017). IT WAS PITCH DARK & RAINING OUTSIDE, LUCKILY I WAS IN A RURAL AREA & NO OTHER CARS AROUND. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I'M GLAD TO KNOW YOU CAN RESTORE LIGH…

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HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FLICKING THE HIGH-BEAM SWITCH RESTORED THE LIGHTS. I JUST LOOKED IN THE ODI DATABASE & DISCOVERED A CLOSED INVESTIGATION (PE06017). IT WAS PITCH DARK & RAINING OUTSIDE, LUCKILY I WAS IN A RURAL AREA & NO OTHER CARS AROUND. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I'M GLAD TO KNOW YOU CAN RESTORE LIGHTS BY MANIPULATING THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BUT WHAT IF THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW TO DO THIS! A RECALL IS REALLY IN ORDER, IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO ALERT PEOPLE TO THE POTENTIAL RISK SO THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174025

83,750 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Exterior Lighting

2002 CHEVY IMPALA HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. TAIL LIGHTS ARE OK. MANUAL SWITCH DOES NOTHING. BOTH TIMES THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK, A COUPLE DAYS LATER EVERYTHING WAS OK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173981

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2006
Steering

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE ARE CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SHARPER THE TURN, THE WORSE THE PROBLEM IS. I ALSO HEAR AN INTERMITTENT WHIRRING NOISE WHEN I MAKE TURNS (THE SOUND IS LIKE WHEN YOU WEAR A NYLON COAT, AND YOUR SLEEVES …

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE ARE CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SHARPER THE TURN, THE WORSE THE PROBLEM IS. I ALSO HEAR AN INTERMITTENT WHIRRING NOISE WHEN I MAKE TURNS (THE SOUND IS LIKE WHEN YOU WEAR A NYLON COAT, AND YOUR SLEEVES RUB AGAINST THE BODY OF THE COAT). IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM, AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL LOOSING STEERING CONTROL. I MADE THE MISTAKE OF LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, AND I HAVE FOUND 17 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH 2002 CHEVY IMPALA VEHICLES. NOW I AM REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I AM PLANNING ON GETTING THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT, OF COURSE, SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. BUT I FEEL THAT MY LIFE IS WORTH THE MONEY. HOWEVER, DON'T YOU THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE BY NOW? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED BEFORE YOU REALIZE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED? I HOPE THAT SOMEONE DOESN'T NEED TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN. I HOPE THAT MY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT WILL HELP OTHER IMPALA OWNERS GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED THROUGH A RECALL NOTICE. I'M SURE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE NUMEROUS MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE (AND OTHERS) IF MORE PEOPLE REALIZED THAT THIS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE WAS AVAILABLE. MAYBE THE ROADS WOULD BE SAFER. PLEASE TRY TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED THROUGH A RECALL NOTICE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173778

98,000 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A CLANKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED A LACK OF LUBRICATION, HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LOW STEERING SHAFT, BU…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A CLANKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED A LACK OF LUBRICATION, HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LOW STEERING SHAFT, BUSHES AND LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE NOISE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY CREATED BY THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10173691

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2006
Exterior Lighting

IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT, AND IT TAKES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO SWITCH FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM. THERE IS NO PROBLEM GOING FROM HIGH TO LOW. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173123

10,000 miles · Nov 9, 2006
Steering

STEERING COLUMN SHAFT RATTLES. PROBLEMS WITH THIS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING. NOW AFTER 100,000+ MILES, THEY HAVE SAID THIS IS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173068

40,080 miles · Nov 1, 2006
Electrical System

DRIVING WHEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT DID NOT EFFECT THE CAR PERFORMANCE BUT IT DID RESET THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO AS IF THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. ANOTHER TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE RADIO PULSED. THE SECURITY LIGHT REMAINED ON A…

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DRIVING WHEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT DID NOT EFFECT THE CAR PERFORMANCE BUT IT DID RESET THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO AS IF THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. ANOTHER TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE RADIO PULSED. THE SECURITY LIGHT REMAINED ON AS I WAS MOVING FORWARD OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AND ALL THE LIGHTS CLEARED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172369

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA USED AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THE COOLANT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH, BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS, THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND THE COST IS ($1000). HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THAT THE GASKET IS NOW PLASTIC, WHEREAS PREVIOUSLY WAS MADE OF M…

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PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA USED AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THE COOLANT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH, BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS, THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND THE COST IS ($1000). HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THAT THE GASKET IS NOW PLASTIC, WHEREAS PREVIOUSLY WAS MADE OF METAL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ALSO PLASTIC AND INDICATED THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED IN THE FUTURE. THERE IS NO BETTER PROOF OF PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE. AS I AM DOING MY RESEARCH, I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. THE SERVICE MANAGER EVEN SAID THEY HE IS SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. THX, GEK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171619

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.