NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
264 reportsClear category filter132,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND AT 132,000 MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCK. I GOT THE SWITCH CHANGED THEN HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPROGRAMMED I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO I LOOKED ONLINE AND WHAT DID I SEE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE AS OWNERS OF THIS CAR NEED IT RECALLED. MY COST AS OF 3/7/09 TO 3/11/09 IS 400.00…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND AT 132,000 MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCK. I GOT THE SWITCH CHANGED THEN HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPROGRAMMED I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO I LOOKED ONLINE AND WHAT DID I SEE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE AS OWNERS OF THIS CAR NEED IT RECALLED. MY COST AS OF 3/7/09 TO 3/11/09 IS 400.00 AND COUNTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261531
77,000 miles · Mar 7, 2009
Electrical System
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD PERIODICALLY COME ON AND CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART NUMEROUS TIMES AND PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. DURING THE LA…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD PERIODICALLY COME ON AND CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART NUMEROUS TIMES AND PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. DURING THE LAST INSPECTION, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED HIM TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON FOR 3 OR 4 WEEKS AT THAT TIME, HE SAID THAT IT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD NOT SHOW ANYTHING ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. HE SAID IT COULD ALSO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER. THEY CHARGED ME $80 TO CHECK THE CONNECTIONS TO THE STARTER AND I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT MORE THAN LIKELY IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE OWNED BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CARS IN THE PAST, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FOREIGN ONES AS I DO WITH THE DOMESTIC. I DON'T PLAN ON BUYING ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR ANYTIME SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261019
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2009
Electrical System
PASSKEY THEFT DETTERENT SYSTEM FAILS NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. THERE IS NO WORK AROUND EXCEPT TO RETURN CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260376
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2009
Electrical System
THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2003 CHEVY IMPALA DUE TO IT WILL NOT START AT TIMES DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS I AM A FEMALE WHO AT MANY TIMES IS ALONE AT NIGHT GOING TO AND FRO FROM WORK AND SCHOOL AND MUST SIT IN MY CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS O…
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THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2003 CHEVY IMPALA DUE TO IT WILL NOT START AT TIMES DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS I AM A FEMALE WHO AT MANY TIMES IS ALONE AT NIGHT GOING TO AND FRO FROM WORK AND SCHOOL AND MUST SIT IN MY CAR UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER GM WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258263
58,999 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Electrical System
NOTICED FAILURE OF AIR BAGS, DOOR LOCKS, RADIO, A/C, SECURITY LOCKOUT/ NO START BATTERY DRAINED. I AM ASE CERTIFIED AND LOCATED THE BATTERY DRAIN TO THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). AFTER REPLACING IT, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPROGRAMMED. AT THIS TIME ALL FUNCTIONS (BUT THE DOOR LOCKS) WORK. OF COUR…
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NOTICED FAILURE OF AIR BAGS, DOOR LOCKS, RADIO, A/C, SECURITY LOCKOUT/ NO START BATTERY DRAINED. I AM ASE CERTIFIED AND LOCATED THE BATTERY DRAIN TO THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). AFTER REPLACING IT, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPROGRAMMED. AT THIS TIME ALL FUNCTIONS (BUT THE DOOR LOCKS) WORK. OF COURSE THE DEALER REP SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PRE EXISTING AS ALL THE OTHER FUNCTIONS WORK. I WILL NOW START LOOKING INTO THE CAUSE OF THE DOOR LOCK FAILURE. HERE'S WHY I'M WRITING. THESE PROBLEMS ARE HUGE SAFETY ISSUES NOT TO MENTION THE EXPENSE AND EXTREME INCONVENIENCE AND "DOWN" TIME. AS YOU DRIVE, THE CAR HAS NO AIR BAGS, THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK AND WITH MY 4 DOOR CAR I CAN'T EVEN LOCK MY CAR TO PARK IT OUTSIDE OF AN UNLOCKED GARAGE. I WANT THIS TO KNOWN AS THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256435
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND WITHIN A FEW MONTH OF GETTING IT MY DOOR LOCK FUSE STARTED BLOWING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF REPLACING THE FUSE EVERY OTHER DAY MY SECURITY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. DURING THE PAST YEAR WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR SOMETIMES IT DOES GOOD OT…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND WITHIN A FEW MONTH OF GETTING IT MY DOOR LOCK FUSE STARTED BLOWING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF REPLACING THE FUSE EVERY OTHER DAY MY SECURITY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. DURING THE PAST YEAR WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR SOMETIMES IT DOES GOOD OTHER TIMES MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF AND GO COMPLETELY OUT WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, MY RADIO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FUSES THAT BLOW THAT CAUSES MY CAR NOT TO START AT ALL, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. MY CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253182
50,200 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY 03 CHEVY IMPALA LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG WHETHER THE CAR IS ON, OFF, OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO CHARGE ME $800 TO TRY TO FIX IT. ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT START AFTER IT HAS RAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251813
100,900 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. ABOUT ONCE A WEEK FOR THE LAST MONTH, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES ON THE INFORMATION PANEL INDICATING THAT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS LOCKED OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. SPOKE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE …
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I OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. ABOUT ONCE A WEEK FOR THE LAST MONTH, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES ON THE INFORMATION PANEL INDICATING THAT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS LOCKED OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. SPOKE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251305
36,000 miles · Nov 19, 2008
Electrical System
VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START FOUR(4) TIMES. SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATES ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPAIR AT A DEALER. PART WAS REPLACED. NO CODE CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WAS CHARGED FOR IT ANYWAY. PART REPLACED WAS THE BCM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249338
79,000 miles · Oct 23, 2008
Electrical System
DRIVE CAR AND PARK AND TURN OFF. RETURN 1 HOUR TO 1 DAY LATER CAR WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON BUT CAR WILL NOT CRANK. KEEP TRYING AND WITHIN A HALF HOUR CAR WILL START. HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 1 MONTH LATER. MECHANIC WANTED ME TO DR…
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DRIVE CAR AND PARK AND TURN OFF. RETURN 1 HOUR TO 1 DAY LATER CAR WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON BUT CAR WILL NOT CRANK. KEEP TRYING AND WITHIN A HALF HOUR CAR WILL START. HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 1 MONTH LATER. MECHANIC WANTED ME TO DROP OFF CAR AND LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY CAR SITTING AT A MECHANIC FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG AND EVEN THEN THEY STILL MAY NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. HAVE BEEN TO MANY ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARDS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO KNOWN FIXES. AS OF THIS WRITING THE NO START PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246529
Official recalls
5Oct 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.
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.
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.
Feb 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. 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, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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 ↗
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