NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
694 reports78,785 miles · May 13, 2011
Electrical System
MY CHEVY IMPALA 2003 INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START; IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKOUT SYSTEM THAT TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. (THE BATTERY, STARTER AND OTHER CONVENTIONAL PART OF THE STARTING SYSTEM ARE OK.) UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN…
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MY CHEVY IMPALA 2003 INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START; IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKOUT SYSTEM THAT TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. (THE BATTERY, STARTER AND OTHER CONVENTIONAL PART OF THE STARTING SYSTEM ARE OK.) UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS FOR A 30 SECOND STOP BUT THEN IT WON'T START FOR 10 MINUTES DUE TO AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S PASSLOCK SECURITY / ELECTRICAL / KEY TUMBLER / SYSTEMS. ASIDE FROM THE FRUSTRATION, I CANNOT RELY ON MY AUTOMOBILE WHEN TRANSPORTING MY 90+ YEAR OLD PARENTS TO LUNCH OR WHATEVER BECAUSE I MAY BECOME STRANDED AND THEIR HEALTH ISSUES CANNOT TOLERATE SITTING IN A HOT CAR FOR UNKNOWN PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400739
80,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
SECURITY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION KICKS TERRIBLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH WHEN BRAKING. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY CHECK FINE AT SERVICE. ALL SIGNS POINT TO BCM AND GAUGE C…
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SECURITY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION KICKS TERRIBLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH WHEN BRAKING. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY CHECK FINE AT SERVICE. ALL SIGNS POINT TO BCM AND GAUGE CLUSTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400605
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 IMPALA. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CAR CAME ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IN A L…
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I HAVE A 2003 IMPALA. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CAR CAME ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IN A LOT OF GM CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399587
149,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Electrical System
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING STARTING FAILURE. CAR HAS NEW BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR, AND HAS NO OTHER DEFECTS, OTHER THAN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM, CAUSING FAILURE TO START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397337
21,461 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED IN 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TIMES THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED WAS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED IN 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TIMES THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED WAS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V051000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,461 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,600.
NHTSA ODI #10397063
60,111 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10393251
20,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10386085
64,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
WHEN SWITCH IS PULLED TO PUT ON BRIGHT LIGHTS ALL LIGHTS GO OFF, LEAVING ME DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTS. WIGGLING, JIGGLING, OR MOVING THE SWITCH EVENTUALLY PUTS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS BACK ON. HAD THIS FIXED AT A COST TO ME OF MORE THAN $600. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE EVERY SERVICE RECORD ON IT, CAN PROVE…
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WHEN SWITCH IS PULLED TO PUT ON BRIGHT LIGHTS ALL LIGHTS GO OFF, LEAVING ME DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTS. WIGGLING, JIGGLING, OR MOVING THE SWITCH EVENTUALLY PUTS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS BACK ON. HAD THIS FIXED AT A COST TO ME OF MORE THAN $600. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE EVERY SERVICE RECORD ON IT, CAN PROVE IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT ABUSED. EVEN HAVE SAVED FAILED PART FROM THIS SERVICE. HAVE SEEN A VAST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM LISTED ON WEB. I WAS LUCKY, THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. AT THE VERY LEAST PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS MAKE/MODEL NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO MY GRANDMOTHER OR OTHER LOVED ONE.
NHTSA ODI #10383535
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringTraction Control System
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS FOR VEHICLE AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10380683
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA, TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN UNIT UNIT 1 ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0911-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10381828
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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