NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
264 reportsClear category filter45,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Electrical System
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT BOTH CAN COME ON AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. BOTH HAPPEN WHEN TURNING INTO OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN ANY SORT OF WEATHER INCLUDING PERFECTLY DRY CEMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE YOU DON'T GET THE FULL BREAKING POWER WHEN MAKING …
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TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT BOTH CAN COME ON AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. BOTH HAPPEN WHEN TURNING INTO OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN ANY SORT OF WEATHER INCLUDING PERFECTLY DRY CEMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE YOU DON'T GET THE FULL BREAKING POWER WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS HAPPENS ALSO WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS AROUND ANY CORNER. THE PROBLEM IS NOW HAPPENING ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME WHEN MAKING TURNS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE MY FRONT HUBS AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESSES BUT I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON IT AND HAVE SEEN THAT NONE OF THOSE THINGS HAVE WORKED FOR ANYONE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO COME BACK AFTER SPENDING OVER $1000 DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235271
100,003 miles · Jul 18, 2008
Electrical System
MY SECURITY LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THEN EVERYTHING WENT CRAZY FROM THERE LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEN THE RADIO WILL SHOW LOCKED ON IT TRUNK WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON COOL DAYS NOW THAT IT HAS TURNED HOT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I HAVE READ ALL KINDS OF COMP…
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MY SECURITY LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THEN EVERYTHING WENT CRAZY FROM THERE LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEN THE RADIO WILL SHOW LOCKED ON IT TRUNK WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON COOL DAYS NOW THAT IT HAS TURNED HOT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I HAVE READ ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND ISSUE A RECALL I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS DEALERS TELL ME IT IS A BCM AND IT WILL COST APPROX 500.00 IF SO MANY OF THESE IMPALAS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING OR TELL SOMEONE HOW TO FIX THIS WITHOUT PAYING 500.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234820
62,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Electrical System
SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK, SOMETIMES CAR WOULDN'T START. SECURITY SYSTEM IS BAD. HAD TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. CAR STILL WON'T START. NOW NEEDS A BODY CONTROL MODULE. CAR STILL AT MECHANICS. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 60 DAYS. UNSURE WHAT BILL IS UP TO. CAR WOULD START OVERHEATI…
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SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK, SOMETIMES CAR WOULDN'T START. SECURITY SYSTEM IS BAD. HAD TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. CAR STILL WON'T START. NOW NEEDS A BODY CONTROL MODULE. CAR STILL AT MECHANICS. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 60 DAYS. UNSURE WHAT BILL IS UP TO. CAR WOULD START OVERHEATING. OCCURRED 3-5 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. IT WAS THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. REPLACED IT FOR AROUND $600.00. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC AND DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CAR WOULD START KNOCKING AND RIDE ROUGH TO THE POINT THAT IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. IT OCCURRED 2 TIMES ON DIFFERENT BOLTS. ROCKER ARM BOLTS WERE BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. FIXED FOR $300.00 EACH TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234036
60,000 miles · Jul 6, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS NOT STARTING. MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN I WOULD ARRIVE THE CAR WOULD START. I STARTED HAPPENING EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE USE THE CAR. IF YOU IT SET FOR 10 TO 30 MINUTES IT WILL START. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU REMOVE THE F…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS NOT STARTING. MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN I WOULD ARRIVE THE CAR WOULD START. I STARTED HAPPENING EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE USE THE CAR. IF YOU IT SET FOR 10 TO 30 MINUTES IT WILL START. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU REMOVE THE FUSE TO THE BCM FOR ABOUT 30 SEC THE CAR WILL START . I HAVE READ SEVERAL WEB SITE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THAT COST $500 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED BY A DEALER. I BELIEVE THAT WITH AS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A INVESTIGATION WHY GM ISN'T RECALLING CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233322
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2008
Electrical System
CAR WOULDN'T START AT RANDOM ON DAY, WOULDN'T CRANK, SECURITY LIGHT WOULD FLASH WHEN KEY WAS TURNED TO ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR AND IGNITION SWITCH. ABOUT A WEEK LATER DID THE SAME THING, NO CRANK AND SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING, THEY REPROGRAMMED IT AGAIN AND SAID THAT THE BCM MIGHT BE GOING O…
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CAR WOULDN'T START AT RANDOM ON DAY, WOULDN'T CRANK, SECURITY LIGHT WOULD FLASH WHEN KEY WAS TURNED TO ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR AND IGNITION SWITCH. ABOUT A WEEK LATER DID THE SAME THING, NO CRANK AND SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING, THEY REPROGRAMMED IT AGAIN AND SAID THAT THE BCM MIGHT BE GOING OUT. DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, THEN IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. CAR SAT FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY JUST HAD TO JUMP THE CAR AND IT STARTED. AFTER I GOT IT BACK THE THIRD TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE AUTO LOCKS AND HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK. NOW ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232207
65,739 miles · May 10, 2008
Electrical System
PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON 2003 IMPALA KEEPS LOCKING OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM KEEPING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR THIS REASON, NOW IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227211
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2008
Electrical System
MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA THE SPEEDOMETER READS 140 MILES AT ALL TIME OR SHOWS NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226965
53,500 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FAILURE, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT COULD ONLY USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FAILURE, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT COULD ONLY USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,500.
NHTSA ODI #10223779
135,000 miles · Mar 22, 2008
Electrical System
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME DURING EVENING HOURS ON A NARROW 2 LANE COUNTY ROAD WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TOTALLY TURNED OFF. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO MOVE ONTO. SHE TRIED TO OPERATE THE HEADLIGHTS MANUALLY WITH NO EFFECT. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED. SHE C…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME DURING EVENING HOURS ON A NARROW 2 LANE COUNTY ROAD WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TOTALLY TURNED OFF. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO MOVE ONTO. SHE TRIED TO OPERATE THE HEADLIGHTS MANUALLY WITH NO EFFECT. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED. SHE CALLED ME VIA CELL PHONE AND BEGAN TO EXPLAIN WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. SHE PROCEEDED TOWARD OUR HOME AND ABOUT 500 FEET FROM OUR DRIVEWAY THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER IDENTICAL INSTANCES WITH NO RESOLUTION AS THE PROBLEM APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY. AN INTERNET TECH SAID THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR A NON-RELATED PROBLEM ON 08/04/2006. I HAVE NOT YET CALLED THE DEALER THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THEIR DENIAL OF THE PREVIOUS BCM PROBLEM - THAT ONCE REPLACED AT MY INSISTENCE FIXED THAT PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION WITH HUGE POTENTIAL FOR HARM. MY WIFE WILL NOW NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT AND MUCH OF HER WORK (AND MINE) INVOLVES EVENING MEETINGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222013
70,407 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2007. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY FOR THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2007. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY FOR THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,868 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,407. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGANON ON MARCH 15,2008.
NHTSA ODI #10219083
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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