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2003 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

513 reports with mileage · 181 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 264 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports32 fire reports23 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

264 reports
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36,900 miles · Mar 20, 2006
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. THIS FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE. DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK, THE DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED. ALSO THE KEYLESS EN…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. THIS FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE. DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK, THE DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED. ALSO THE KEYLESS ENTRY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR REPROGRAMMING. THIS ONLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153241

44,000 miles · Feb 27, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE SYSTEMS WOULD FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE WIRING HARNES…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE SYSTEMS WOULD FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI #10151317

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2005
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LOCKS WERE MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. WHEN HE TRIED TO LOCK THE DOORS, THEY WOULD SLOWLY UNLOCK. THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE BCM, AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATE IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LOCKS WERE MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. WHEN HE TRIED TO LOCK THE DOORS, THEY WOULD SLOWLY UNLOCK. THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE BCM, AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATE IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10142390

34,000 miles · Sep 10, 2005
Electrical System

MY BATTERY HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE HAVING TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR TO GET ASSISTANCE. EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BATTERY WOULD FAIL SO SOON AND THEN THEY PUT IN A NEW ONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10136092

25,500 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Electrical System

A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 25,500 MILES, THE BATTERY CORRODED THROUGH AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. ACID LEAKED FROM THE BATTERY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. IN TALKING TO THE MANAGER AT SEARS, WHERE I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, 8 OUT OF 10 AC DELCO BATTERIES THAT THEY REPLACE, FAIL THIS WAY. IN TALKING TO CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAG…

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A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 25,500 MILES, THE BATTERY CORRODED THROUGH AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. ACID LEAKED FROM THE BATTERY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. IN TALKING TO THE MANAGER AT SEARS, WHERE I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, 8 OUT OF 10 AC DELCO BATTERIES THAT THEY REPLACE, FAIL THIS WAY. IN TALKING TO CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGERS, THEY SEE THIS QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT AC DELCO NOW HAS BATTERIES MADE OFF SHORE. HOW LONG BEFORE CRITICAL SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED?

NHTSA ODI #10129517

43,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Electrical System

IN JANUARY 2004 WE PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET'S PROGRAM CAR FLEET, [XXX]. THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS UP TO 36,000 MILES. UNTIL THE PAST 2 WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 17, 2005 MY WIFE, HER MOTHER AND OUR TWO CHILDREN, (4 YRS.…

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IN JANUARY 2004 WE PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET'S PROGRAM CAR FLEET, [XXX]. THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS UP TO 36,000 MILES. UNTIL THE PAST 2 WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 17, 2005 MY WIFE, HER MOTHER AND OUR TWO CHILDREN, (4 YRS. AND 10 MONTHS OLD), WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 85 SOUTH COMING TO MONTGOMERY FROM ATLANTA WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND LOSES ALL POWER. MY WIFE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, AT 70 MPH SHE HAD TO WRESTLE THE WHEEL AND STAND ON THE BRAKES TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT, THE VEHICLE CRANKS UP FINE AND SHE COMPLETES THE TRIP. FOLLOWING THE TOTAL POWER SHUTDOWN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET FOR REPAIR. MR. DONALD BARBER WAS THE ASSOCIATE WHO WAS OUR SERVICE CONSULTANT. HE EXPLAINED TO MY WIFE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS SITUATION BEFORE. THAT, WAS OF GREAT CONCERN WITH ME. HAS THIS PROBLEM CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH TO ANOTHER CONSUMER? I AM WRITING A LETTER TO ROBERT LANGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SAFETY FOR GENERAL MOTORS, AND I WILL BE COPYING THE NHTSA WITH THE LETTER. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISSTANCE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10126687

17,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Electrical System

THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS/INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10087774

5,979 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical System

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RADIO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE NOISE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE USED, THE HEATER FAN SPEED WAS ADJUSTED AND WHEN THE RAD…

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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RADIO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE NOISE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE USED, THE HEATER FAN SPEED WAS ADJUSTED AND WHEN THE RADIO WAS ON. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10071406

10,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Electrical System

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL WITH USE OF KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY. WHEN TESTING CIRCUIT AMPERAGE DRAW FINDS A 19 AMP ELECTRICAL SPIKE ON A 20 AMP CIRCUIT. SUSPECT THIS TO BE TO HIGH FOR CIRCUIT PROTECTION. FUSE BLOWS FREQUENTLY. WHEN DOORS ARE LOCKED HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL FLASH MOMENTARILY WHICH IS NORMAL. THE CIRCUIT LOAD IS TO …

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POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL WITH USE OF KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY. WHEN TESTING CIRCUIT AMPERAGE DRAW FINDS A 19 AMP ELECTRICAL SPIKE ON A 20 AMP CIRCUIT. SUSPECT THIS TO BE TO HIGH FOR CIRCUIT PROTECTION. FUSE BLOWS FREQUENTLY. WHEN DOORS ARE LOCKED HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL FLASH MOMENTARILY WHICH IS NORMAL. THE CIRCUIT LOAD IS TO HIGH FOR A TWENTY AMP FUSE. SUGGEST GM TO INCREASE CIRCUIT PROTECTION AMPERAGE OR DECREASE AMPERAGE DRAW. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072607

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2004
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. *AK THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HORN ASSEMBLY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10055386

Official recalls

5

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.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

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

1

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.