IllustrationTHE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE RUBS AGAINST SOME PART OF THE MOTOR AND RUB A HOLE IN POWER STEERING RETURN HOUSE
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
6625–50K
9150–75K
8175–100K
121100–150K
87150K+
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
Power Train complaints
30 reportsABS/TRACTION CONTROL.WHEN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON MAKES GRINDING NOISE /BRAKES GRAB HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. ONLY HAVE 125,950 MILES HAS BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR LAST 5,000 MILES. TOOK TO SHOP MECHANIC.COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. CAN NOT TURN TRACTION CONTROL OFF/ ON MANUALLY DOES IT ON ITS OWN.…
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ABS/TRACTION CONTROL.WHEN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON MAKES GRINDING NOISE /BRAKES GRAB HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. ONLY HAVE 125,950 MILES HAS BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR LAST 5,000 MILES. TOOK TO SHOP MECHANIC.COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. CAN NOT TURN TRACTION CONTROL OFF/ ON MANUALLY DOES IT ON ITS OWN. .HAS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. AS MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE.THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION TURNING AND WHILE APPLYING BRAKE. CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY.
TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY FOR 6 YEARS. TRANSMISSION MAKES SQUEAK UPON STARTING FROM DEAD STOP AFTER CHANGING FLUID AND FILTER FOR 2ND TIME. ABS WENT OUT 6 YEARS AGO.
WHEN STEPPING ON GAS CAR HESITATES BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY ESPECIALLY AFTER CAR WARMS UP. IT JERKS INTO GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SWITCH BUT WAS NOT COVERED. IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT'S BEEN GOIN…
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WHEN STEPPING ON GAS CAR HESITATES BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY ESPECIALLY AFTER CAR WARMS UP. IT JERKS INTO GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SWITCH BUT WAS NOT COVERED. IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND A HALF.
APPROXIMATELY 75,0000 MILES, ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT APPEARING. I HAVE HAD 3 REPAIRS AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. AT 89,000MILES, THE LIGHTS APPEAR AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF OR TURN SHARPELY. THE WEATHER HAS NO AFFECT ON THIS, DRY OR WET. I PUSH THE TRACTION OFF BUTTON A…
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APPROXIMATELY 75,0000 MILES, ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT APPEARING. I HAVE HAD 3 REPAIRS AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. AT 89,000MILES, THE LIGHTS APPEAR AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF OR TURN SHARPELY. THE WEATHER HAS NO AFFECT ON THIS, DRY OR WET. I PUSH THE TRACTION OFF BUTTON AND IT STOPS. THEN REAPPEARS. THE SOUND SCARES ME MAKING ME THINK THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. HAPPENS WHEN I TURN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET, TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT. NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 IMPALA, HUNDREDS INFACT. I HAVE SPEND OVER A $1,000. ON REPAIRS. HELP PLEASE, SOMETHING IS WRONG THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED. HAPPENING OVER A YEAR, 2015 TO 2016.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE WITH A KNOCKING NOISE THEN IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAK FLUID AND FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE E…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE WITH A KNOCKING NOISE THEN IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAK FLUID AND FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
I FIRST STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2015. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2015. I TRUSTED THIS COMPANY BECAUSE I SEEN THEY HAD GREAT REVIEWS. I ACTUALLY TRADER MY PREVIOUS CAR IN BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING AND ALSO SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW MY CURRENT CAR IS HAVING PROBELMS STARTING. I HAD MY BATTE…
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I FIRST STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2015. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2015. I TRUSTED THIS COMPANY BECAUSE I SEEN THEY HAD GREAT REVIEWS. I ACTUALLY TRADER MY PREVIOUS CAR IN BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING AND ALSO SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW MY CURRENT CAR IS HAVING PROBELMS STARTING. I HAD MY BATTERY, ALTERNATOR & STARTER CHECKED, AND IT WAS GOOD. THE COMPANY I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM PROVIDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED IN THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER FOR AN ENGINE MOUNT REPLACEMENT. THEY REPLACED MY ENGINE MOUNTS AND FUEL PUMP. 2 DAYS AFTER THAT SERVICE I STARTED HAVING ISSUES STARTING THE CAR. WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN YOU USUALLY HEAR BEEPING NOISE AND I DIDN'T. THAN MY BATTERY LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND IN THE MESSAGE CENTER TRACKING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME UP. THIS WAS VERY INCONVENIENT DUE TO THE WEATHER AND HAVING TO GET 2 TODDLERS READY FOR SCHOOL IN THE AM. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. I DIDN'T TAKE IT BACK TO THE SAME PLACE BECAUSE EVERYTIME YOU TAKE IT FOR SERVICE MY DEDUCTIBLE IS $100. AFTER 2 WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. SO I CALLED MY WARRANTY SERVICE CENTER THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK BUT IF IT NEEDS FIXING I HAVE TO PAY AGAIN. (ALSO I AM PAYING A CAR NOTE OF $115 A WEEK). I REFUSE TO KEEP PAYING MONEY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN SO MANY WAYS. IT'S VERY FUSTRATING BECAUSE I TRADER MY PREVIOUS CAR (2000 BUICK REGAL) IN FOR THE SAME REASON. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S A WIRING ISSUE, SENSOR ISSUE OR MAYBE WHEN THEY CHANGED MY ENGINE MOUNTS OR FUEL PUMP SOMETHING GOT DISCONNECTED. THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL THEY DID SERVICE ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE I NEED SOME HELP ON WHAT TO DO. LITTLE MINOR ISSUES I DON'T MIND KEEPING UP WITH BUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE TRACTION AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED DURING ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HUB SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE TRACTION AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED DURING ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HUB SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHENEVEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHENEVEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Official recalls
515V701000 · 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 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.
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 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.
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
1PE06017 · 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.