NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
264 reportsClear category filter94,000 miles · Feb 11, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED. THE FAILURE OCCURS APPROXIMATELY DURING EVERY TENTH START ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED. THE FAILURE OCCURS APPROXIMATELY DURING EVERY TENTH START ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #10217666
75,551 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Electrical System
WENT TO WORK EARLY ONE MORNING, WHEN I GOT OFF WORK GOT IN CAR, PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. HAD NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION AT ALL. I TRIED OTHER SPARE KEYS AND THEY ALSO WOULD NOT TURN IGNITION. A MECHANIC SAY THAT IT IS THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS FROZE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217428
69,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Electrical System
THEFT SYSTEM HAD TO BE DISABLED BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START 3 TIMES AND HAD TO BE TOWED. REMOTE CAR ACCESS HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR ABOVE REASON. COST OVER $500 TO REPAIR. FAULTY THEFT MODULE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10198737
65,600 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BATTERY LIGHTS WOULD SCROLL ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER, AND A CHIME WOULD RING. THE FAILURES OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE MORE THE VEHIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BATTERY LIGHTS WOULD SCROLL ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER, AND A CHIME WOULD RING. THE FAILURES OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE MORE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE MORE THE FAILURES OCCUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,746 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
NHTSA ODI #10195672
20,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE F…
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THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT $281.60 FOR NEW ONE. 12/09/05, TO DEALERSHIP FOR STARTING CONCERNS AND MAINTENANCE. 04/13/06-CAR WOULD NOT START TO LEAVE WORK. WARD'S CHEVROLET CAME TO MY WORK SITE. LEFT ME A RENTAL AND KEPT MY CAR UNTIL 04/20/06. I PAID $674.56 FOR A 2ND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE. 06/21/06- TO LOCAL GARAGE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. $100 PAID FOR "SHORT" IN ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED NO START AND TOWING. 08/04/06-COOPER BUICK IN MONROE,LA- $281.00 FOR ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND RECALL ON 2003 IMPALA HEADGASKETS THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. 11/22/06-NO START, TURN OVER-WENT OUTSIDE 3 HOURS LATER-STARTS WITH HARD START. 12/06/06-BRAKES WENT FROM QUIET TO GRINDING-SLOW HARD STARTS CONTINUE. WARD'S KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH-NEVER TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR EXCEPT BRAKES. DID NOT CHARGE. AT THIS TIME I HAD REQUESTED A GM INVESTI.-NO RESULTS-STATES"THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE CONCERN". THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE SLOW, HARD STARTS WITH VERY NOTICEABLE GAS SMELLS. THE SMELL OF GAS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 04/20/06 REPAIRS. NOW SERVICE, ABS, SECURITY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND SLOW, HARD STARTS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING WARD'S SINCE THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2007 REQUESTING FACTORY REP. TO MEET AND DRIVE CAR AFTER THEIR HAVING A MONTH WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CARS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THIS A.M. TO BE INFORMED THAT NEW SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SINCE MARCH I HAVE REQUESTED THE FACTORY REP. WITH NO RESPONSE FROM WARD'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189372
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2007
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (AROUND 2-3 HOURS), THE RADIO CONSOLE WHERE THE TIME IS DISPLAYED GETS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184436
73,000 miles · Jul 19, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON RIGHT AFTER, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER FIVE MINUTES WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TOGGLE SWITCH OF THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 8/…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON RIGHT AFTER, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER FIVE MINUTES WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TOGGLE SWITCH OF THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 8/1/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10162886
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2006
Electrical System
IGNITION - KEY WOULD NOT TURN. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR. WARM, SUNNY DAY AT A LOCAL STORE PARKING LOT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CAUSE: FROZEN LOCK CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR TWO (2) DAYS TO ORDER PART, REPROGRAM AND REPLACED. SAFETY WAS A ISSUE. COST TO REPLACE WAS $600. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162504
44,800 miles · Jul 2, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
2003 IMPALA LS - HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. JUST SHUT OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS ENGAGED OR NOT. INTERMITTENT FAILURE, SOMETIMES NOT FOR TWO HOURS, SOMETIME EVERY FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES WHEN SWITCHING LOW TO HIGH BEAMS, NO SPECIFIC SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND PARKING LIG…
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2003 IMPALA LS - HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. JUST SHUT OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS ENGAGED OR NOT. INTERMITTENT FAILURE, SOMETIMES NOT FOR TWO HOURS, SOMETIME EVERY FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES WHEN SWITCHING LOW TO HIGH BEAMS, NO SPECIFIC SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS APPEAR TO REMAIN ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL. SOMETIMES CAN GET HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BY SWITCHING OFF AND ON AGAIN, SOMETIMES BY FLASHING LOW TO HIGH, BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS COME BACK ON REGARDLESS OF ACTION. SOMETIMES JUST HAVE TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL DAYLIGHT. CAR HAD JUST OVER 44,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. DROVE FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT NEVER AT NIGHT, SO NOT EXACTLY SURE OF MILEAGE OF FIRST INCIDENT. HAPPENED SECOND TIME I DROVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. UNABLE TO REPEAT INCIDENT AT DEALER, BUT CAR WAS IN "PARK" WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT, AND IT WAS DAYTIME. IT COULD BE HAPPENING WHILE DAYTIME, TOO, BUT I CAN'T TELL FROM INSIDE THE CAR. I COULD GET A TICKET IN MARYLAND FOR DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161244
37,944 miles · Mar 28, 2006
Electrical System
IGNITION - KEY WOULD NOT TURN. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR. WARM , SUNNY DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CAUSE: FROZEN LOCK CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR THREE (3) DAYS TO ORDER PART, REPROGRAM AND REPLACE. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD THREE (3) OTHER CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM DURING THAT ONE WEEK! SAFETY: THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED A…
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IGNITION - KEY WOULD NOT TURN. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR. WARM , SUNNY DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CAUSE: FROZEN LOCK CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR THREE (3) DAYS TO ORDER PART, REPROGRAM AND REPLACE. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD THREE (3) OTHER CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM DURING THAT ONE WEEK! SAFETY: THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE SUCH AS WHILE PUMPING GAS OR STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSEQUENCE: CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I LOST THREE (3) DAYS USE OF MY CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153951
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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