← New search

2003 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

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

Engine complaints

88 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Jun 12, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

UNDER THE HOOD FIRE AND UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION. MAYBE 5 DAYS AFTER I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO TC CHEVY (IN ASHLAND OREGON) TO HAVE THE 2 RECALLS REPAIRED ON IT. I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DOWN BY THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FLAMES MADE IT TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND IGNITED THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A MINI EXPLOS…

Read full complaint

UNDER THE HOOD FIRE AND UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION. MAYBE 5 DAYS AFTER I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO TC CHEVY (IN ASHLAND OREGON) TO HAVE THE 2 RECALLS REPAIRED ON IT. I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DOWN BY THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FLAMES MADE IT TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND IGNITED THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A MINI EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, MEAN WHILE I'M SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR NEARLY HAVING THE LIFE SCARED OUT OF ME, I POPPED THE HOOD AND GRABBED MY HOUSE GARDEN HOUSE AND STARTED TO TRY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO REACH MY HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE PUT OUT ALMOST TORCHING ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS HEAD WHEN THE FUEL PUMP KICKED ON WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED SHOOTING GASOLINE REIGNITING THE FIRE. I'M LUCKY THE FIRE DIDN'T BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE THAT DAY SEEING HOW THE FIRE CAUGHT THE BUSH NEXT DOOR ON FIRE AND THERE WAS FLAMES 14 FT IN THE AIR. SEE CHEVY AND GM HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ACT LIKE THE FIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS MY OWN FAULT AND NONE OF THEIR OWN EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIAN SAYS NONE OF THE REPAIRS WERE ACTUALLY DONE. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN INVESTIGATION DONE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO PUSH MY CLAIM ASIDE AND SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME RIGHT NEXT TO A BUSH NOT MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE IS RIGHT UP AGAINST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SO THAT IT DOESN'T GET SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. PLEASE HELP ME. I ALSO HAVE THE FIREFIGHTERS REPORT.

NHTSA ODI #11101504

89,724 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Engine

SECOND CAR AFFECTED. FIRST CAR BURNED AND TOTALED . SECOND CAR FOUND LOSS OF POWER STILL DRIVING PULED OVER FOUND EGR MOTOR STUCK IN FULL OPEN SENDING HOT EXHAUST INTO INTAKE. MELTING PLASTIC INTAKE WIRING AND FUEL LINE. FUEL LINE MELTED BUT DID NOT BURST. TOWED HOME. THIS SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE A FIRE LINE AT TOP OF INTAKE. THI…

Read full complaint

SECOND CAR AFFECTED. FIRST CAR BURNED AND TOTALED . SECOND CAR FOUND LOSS OF POWER STILL DRIVING PULED OVER FOUND EGR MOTOR STUCK IN FULL OPEN SENDING HOT EXHAUST INTO INTAKE. MELTING PLASTIC INTAKE WIRING AND FUEL LINE. FUEL LINE MELTED BUT DID NOT BURST. TOWED HOME. THIS SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE A FIRE LINE AT TOP OF INTAKE. THIS IS A PLASTIC LINE .

NHTSA ODI #11088476

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2017
EngineSteering

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED 2/24/17 SINCE THEN I HAVE OUT 3 ENGINES AND 2 RADIATORS AND MY CAR IS BACK DOWN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11051666

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING CAUSING AT TIMES VIOLENT JOLTS FOR ALL 3 GEARS. I ALSO HAVE A SEAL THAT WAS NOT PUT IN CORRECTLY CAUSING WATER TO FILL UP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM'S AS WELL AS TAKING OUT THE SOUND OF MY RADIO.

NHTSA ODI #11003781

291,000 miles · Jul 5, 2017
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO US…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER PROVIDED A LETTER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 291,000.

NHTSA ODI #11003120

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2017
Engine

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN150757 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER15V701 ENGINE OIL LEAKS ONTO MY MANIFOLD AND SMOKES I HAVE CONTACTED CAR DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTACT ME AND NEVER DO

NHTSA ODI #10956800

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2016
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10929648

200,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. …

Read full complaint

IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916532

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AN…

Read full complaint

WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AND ALLOW TO SHIFT. IT HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT. THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARNING LIGHT DINGS AND STAYS LIT. I MANUALLY TURN OFF ABS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE WIRING THRU OUT THE CAR HAS FAILED TO MY REARVIEW MIRROR, DOMELIGHTS AND RADIO PANEL. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT I AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10907385

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10893185

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.