NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
103 reportsClear category filter105,692 miles · Jun 5, 2010
Exterior Lighting
I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA LS. ON MY WAY HOME I TURN ON MY BRIGHTS AND WHEN I WENT TO SHUT THEM OFF IT TURNED ALL MY LIGHTS OFF AND THEY WONT COME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS WILL ONLY COME ON WHEN IN THE BRIGHTS POSITION AND WILL STILL SHUT OFF OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMMENT BY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN T…
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I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA LS. ON MY WAY HOME I TURN ON MY BRIGHTS AND WHEN I WENT TO SHUT THEM OFF IT TURNED ALL MY LIGHTS OFF AND THEY WONT COME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS WILL ONLY COME ON WHEN IN THE BRIGHTS POSITION AND WILL STILL SHUT OFF OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMMENT BY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN THE 15 MIN I'VE BEEN ONLINE SEARCHING THIS BEFORE I STUMBLED ONTO THIS WEBSITE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SEEING AS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND YOUR LIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY IF NOT ALREADY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334694
89,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START HOWEVER AFTER 10 MINUTES WOULD START. HIGH BEAM OUT INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE BUT AT THE SAME TIME BOTH HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE STUCK ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS NO PROBLEM FOUND. REPLACED, BCM OK FOR A WEEK PROBLEM RETURNED. DEALERSHIP STUMPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332659
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. PASSLOCK STYSTEM THINKS THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN, DISABLING THE IGNITION FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES AT A TIME. SOMETIMES LEAVING YOU STRANDED. ALSO ABS AND TRAC CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AT 100,00 MILES. NO MORE ABS OR TRAC CONTROL AS PARTS ARE OVER $3,000. OIL SPILL OUT OF FILLER NECK ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND RE…
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2003 CHEVY IMPALA. PASSLOCK STYSTEM THINKS THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN, DISABLING THE IGNITION FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES AT A TIME. SOMETIMES LEAVING YOU STRANDED. ALSO ABS AND TRAC CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AT 100,00 MILES. NO MORE ABS OR TRAC CONTROL AS PARTS ARE OVER $3,000. OIL SPILL OUT OF FILLER NECK ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND RECALL ONLY MOVED SPARK PLUG WIRES, OIL PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS DIM TO COMPLETE DARKENESS, OR SUPER BIRGHT AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES. ISSUE IS THE DIMMER SWITCH. PISS POOR DESIGN BY GM. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING VEHICLES UNTIL THEY PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326959
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I OWN A 2003 CHEV. IMPALA, LS AND CANNOT DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AS THEY ONLY REMAIN ON 3-TO-5 MINUTES AND GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS IS VERY NERVE WRACKING AND DANGEROUS. THUS, I NO LONGER USE HIGH BEAM AND WAS TOLD A NEW SWITCH FOR $500.00 PLUS INSTALLATION WAS NEEDED. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I PURCHASED WITH WARRANTY LEF…
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I OWN A 2003 CHEV. IMPALA, LS AND CANNOT DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AS THEY ONLY REMAIN ON 3-TO-5 MINUTES AND GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS IS VERY NERVE WRACKING AND DANGEROUS. THUS, I NO LONGER USE HIGH BEAM AND WAS TOLD A NEW SWITCH FOR $500.00 PLUS INSTALLATION WAS NEEDED. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I PURCHASED WITH WARRANTY LEFT, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A ONCE OR TWICE OCCURRENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10320305
55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Exterior Lighting
RECURRING PROBLEM: WHEN CLICKING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM OR HIGH/LOW USING THE TURN SIGNAL ARM THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. I'VE BEEN FORCED TO TRAVEL WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON TO INSURE THAT I HAVE SOME VISION WHEN SWITCHING HIGH/LOW. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO BE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND LOSING YOUR HEADLIGHTS! I …
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RECURRING PROBLEM: WHEN CLICKING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM OR HIGH/LOW USING THE TURN SIGNAL ARM THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. I'VE BEEN FORCED TO TRAVEL WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON TO INSURE THAT I HAVE SOME VISION WHEN SWITCHING HIGH/LOW. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO BE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND LOSING YOUR HEADLIGHTS! I HAVE FOUND OVER 30 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON-LINE WITHOUT TO MUCH SEARCHING EFFORT. MANY OF THE RESPONDENTS HAVE SAID THAT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL ARM RUNS ABOUT $700. IN VISITING WITH MY DEALER HE HAS INDICATED HE HAS NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM--BUT MY RESEARCH INDICATES IT OCCURS OFTEN? THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED IN LATE DEC. 2009. WE ARE HESITANT TO USE THIS VEHICLE AFTER DARK DUE TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304156
71,000 miles · Dec 14, 2009
Exterior Lighting
LIGHTS JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295673
95,200 miles · Nov 23, 2009
Exterior Lighting
I AM FILING A SAFETY COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SWITCHING LIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN OF CAR, AND RESTART TO GET DIM LIGHTS ON. WHAT CAN THIS PROBLEM BE AND WHAT MIGHT THE CURE BE. I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON LIGHTING AND FOUND NONE. P…
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I AM FILING A SAFETY COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SWITCHING LIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN OF CAR, AND RESTART TO GET DIM LIGHTS ON. WHAT CAN THIS PROBLEM BE AND WHAT MIGHT THE CURE BE. I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON LIGHTING AND FOUND NONE. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293306
62,000 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Exterior Lighting
LOSS OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHEN I SWITCHED FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS. I WAS ABLE TO RESTORE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION BY JIGGLING THE HI BEAM LOW BEAM SWITCH . I WENT TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD I PROBABLY NEED A NEW MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH,APPEARS TO ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289175
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
AFTER CHANGING MY BATTERY ON MY CAR I NOTICE NOW THAT MY LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND SOMETIME MY CAR WILL NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285790
156,000 miles · Sep 13, 2009
Exterior LightingVisibility
DRIVING MY 2003 IMPALA AT NIGHT. REAR SEAT PASSENGER ROLLED DOWN WINDOW CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE BRIGHT LIGHTS BEFORE SLOWING CAR. ABLE TO RE-CREATED THE PROBLEMS BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND HAVING THE HEAD LIGHTS TURN OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283815
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 ↗