NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
694 reports95,200 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
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 IMPALA HAS TROUBLE STARTING WHEN THE CAR IS HOT: WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR FOR OVER A HOUR SOMETIMES LESS WE CAN NOT GET IT TO RE-START UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN FOR A LEAST A HOUR. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THEY REPLACED ALL KINDS OF PARTS AND HAVE NO IDEA , HAD IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEA…
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MY 2003 IMPALA HAS TROUBLE STARTING WHEN THE CAR IS HOT: WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR FOR OVER A HOUR SOMETIMES LESS WE CAN NOT GET IT TO RE-START UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN FOR A LEAST A HOUR. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THEY REPLACED ALL KINDS OF PARTS AND HAVE NO IDEA , HAD IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER WHEN IT HAPPENS (THERE REQUEST). MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL AS YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT RUNNING TO GET GAS ETC. UNLESS YOU WANT TO SIT FOR A HOUR EVERY TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292676
97,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS IS FRAYING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291241
58,000 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF A NEARBY BUILDING. HE INJURED HIS LOWER BODY AND TORSO. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF A NEARBY BUILDING. HE INJURED HIS LOWER BODY AND TORSO. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58000.
NHTSA ODI #10290927
50,651 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50651. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF THE CONSUEMR STATED THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50651. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF THE CONSUEMR STATED THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. UPDATED 12/10/09
NHTSA ODI #10290273
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
856,232 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING TROUBLE. SOMETIME IT WILL START FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT WONT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT MOST LIKELY THE BCM OR PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THERE IS ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH ALL CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR THIS ISSUE. STRANDED WITH KIDS ALL THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286407
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
129,057 miles · Aug 29, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A 3.8 LITER V-6. THE CAR RADIO QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO PULL OUT THE FUSE BECAUSE IT WAS SENDING STRANGE ERROR MESSAGES TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. NOW THE BCM IS HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF THEN BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A 3.8 LITER V-6. THE CAR RADIO QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO PULL OUT THE FUSE BECAUSE IT WAS SENDING STRANGE ERROR MESSAGES TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. NOW THE BCM IS HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF THEN BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THEN IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE BCM AN THE CAR STARTED AND I MADE IT HOME. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID GENERAL MOTORS DO TO THESE CARS. I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS HORROR STORIES ABOUT THEIR CARS. WAS THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER AND SPEND A FORTUNE TO FIX THIS GARBAGE PRETENDING TO BE A CAR. HOW CAN A CAR COMPANY GET AWAY WITH THIS POOR QUALITY CONTROL IN THIS DAY AND AGE? MY SECURITY DISPLAY NOW SHOWS RANDOM ERRORS LIKE LOW FUEL EVEN AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK. NOT SURE IF ANY MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN IT SHIFTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282226
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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