NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
103 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Mar 19, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND DO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT MUST ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS, SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND DO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT MUST ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS, SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10262411
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2009
Exterior Lighting
2003 IMPALA HIGHBEAMS WHEN IN USE DO TOTALLY GO OUT BLINKERS JUST STOP BLINKING AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH COMMON PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS WHICH GM WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THEY RECALLED THE MALIBU HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. NO BAILOUT FOR THEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. I'…
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2003 IMPALA HIGHBEAMS WHEN IN USE DO TOTALLY GO OUT BLINKERS JUST STOP BLINKING AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH COMMON PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS WHICH GM WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THEY RECALLED THE MALIBU HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. NO BAILOUT FOR THEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257777
65,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Exterior Lighting
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA, HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254381
83,300 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ENGAGED. HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252089
50,200 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY 03 CHEVY IMPALA LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG WHETHER THE CAR IS ON, OFF, OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO CHARGE ME $800 TO TRY TO FIX IT. ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT START AFTER IT HAS RAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251813
92,500 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND CHANGING TO HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. CONTINUAL MOVING OF THE LEVER GOT THEM TO COME BACK ON. LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THIS TIME I WAS NOT TRYING TO CHANGE TO BRIGHT LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251068
72,000 miles · Dec 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGH BEAM, ALMOST WENT OFF ROAD, IN JULY OF 2008. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT MUCH. THE LIGHTS STILL GO OUT AT NIGHT ON HIGHBEAM, DO NOT COME BACK ON FOR UP TO 40 SECONDS. HAVE STARTED TO LEAVE THE LOWBEAMS ON ALL THE TIME, HAS NOT YET GONE OUT ON LOWBEAM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250715
93,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND WHEN I SWITCH FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS MY LIGHTS GO OUT....JUST RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY LIGHT JUST WENT DARK...AFTER WORKING THE DIMMER SWITCH THEY CAME BY ON, THIS IS SCARY AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL .*TR
NHTSA ODI #10246158
150,000 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. IN AUGUST OF 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE ENGINE. S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. IN AUGUST OF 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN MONTHS LATER. IN AUGUST OF 2008, BODY WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AFTERWARDS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE COMBINATION SWITCH. THE COMBINATION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL; THEREFORE, THE ORIGINAL PART WAS REINSTALLED. AFTER THE FAILED ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE COMBINATION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,920 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10242698
102,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 4:00 AM MY HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I COULD NOT GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON, AND COULD NOT SEE WHERE I WAS AT ON THE ROAD. I DID MANAGE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND AFTER TRYING SEVERAL THINGS TO RESTORE LIGHTS, I WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH BACK AND GET HIGH BEA…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 4:00 AM MY HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I COULD NOT GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON, AND COULD NOT SEE WHERE I WAS AT ON THE ROAD. I DID MANAGE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND AFTER TRYING SEVERAL THINGS TO RESTORE LIGHTS, I WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH BACK AND GET HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TRIM TO WORK, USING ONLY HIGH BEAMS. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS WOULD COMPLETELY GO OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229870
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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