NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
694 reports69,764 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND TRIED TO SIGNAL A LANE CHANGE AND THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK FOR EITHER DIRECTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY ACCIDENT, BUT THE SITUATION WAS VERY AGGRAVATING. THE CAR ALSO HAS A HISTORY OF OIL SEEPAGE AND IT HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO AT A USED CAR DEALER, AND I CH…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND TRIED TO SIGNAL A LANE CHANGE AND THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK FOR EITHER DIRECTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY ACCIDENT, BUT THE SITUATION WAS VERY AGGRAVATING. THE CAR ALSO HAS A HISTORY OF OIL SEEPAGE AND IT HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO AT A USED CAR DEALER, AND I CHANGE THE OIL MYSELF EVERY 3000 MILES. THE CAR IS HARD STARING AT TIMES, AND I HAD PUT A NEW BATTERY IN IT 2 YEARS AGO DUE TO THE TROUBLE STARTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280952
56,000 miles · Aug 16, 2009
Structure
WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FLOORBOARDS, IN MY 2003 IMPALA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR FLOOD. FOUND A SOLUTION FOR GM'S POOR DESIGN. THE COWLING GASKET ABOVE THE CABIN FILTER SHOULD BE REPLACED AND GLUED IN POSITION WITH RTV. THIS SHOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. ALSO MAKE SURE DRAINHOLES AROUND CABIN FILTER ARE CLEAR OF ALL DEBRIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280551
120,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER IN COLLIERVILLE,TN. FOR ANOTHER WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL COSTING 1,000.00, & WAS TOLD OF ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE GASKET,THAT WILL BE ANOTHER $1,000.00, I SEE MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT OF COURSE GM NOT CALLING IT A RECALL. I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WI…
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TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER IN COLLIERVILLE,TN. FOR ANOTHER WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL COSTING 1,000.00, & WAS TOLD OF ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE GASKET,THAT WILL BE ANOTHER $1,000.00, I SEE MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT OF COURSE GM NOT CALLING IT A RECALL. I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH APPROXIMATELY 149,000 MILES ON IT. SUNRISE CHEVROLET IN COLLIERVILLE,TN. HAS BEEN THE PROPLE DEALING WITH ME , AND STATES, THEIR COMPUTER PROGRAMMED BCM IS NOT A RECALL, NOR THE IGNITION CHIP THAT ENGAGES THE KEY , IS ALSO NOT A GM PROBLEM BUT MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I SUFFERED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING NUMEROUS TIMES , AND FINALLY BIT THE BULLET AND PAID HIGH DOLLAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR GM'S SHOULD BE RECALL. I WANT SOMEONE TO LISTEN ABOUT EVERYONE'S COMPLAINT OF THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING, AND MAKE GM DO THE RIGHT THING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277125
60,000 miles · Jul 16, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND HAS BEEN FAILING TO START FOR OVER A YEAR. AT FIRST WAIT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND TRY IF IT DIDN'T START WAIT AGAIN AND CONTINUE THIS UNTIL IT DID START. THEN I FOUND IF YOU REMOVED THE BCM FUSE AND REPLACED IT, THE CAR WOULD START. SO I INSTALLED A SWITCH TO REMOVE POWER FROM THE BCM TO RESET IT. NOW DE…
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I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND HAS BEEN FAILING TO START FOR OVER A YEAR. AT FIRST WAIT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND TRY IF IT DIDN'T START WAIT AGAIN AND CONTINUE THIS UNTIL IT DID START. THEN I FOUND IF YOU REMOVED THE BCM FUSE AND REPLACED IT, THE CAR WOULD START. SO I INSTALLED A SWITCH TO REMOVE POWER FROM THE BCM TO RESET IT. NOW DEPENDING ON THE OUTSIDE TEMP. IT TAKES 1 TO 20 TRIES TO START THE CAR. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I FEEL DANGEROUS BECAUSE MY WIFE PRIMARILY DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO COME UP THIS A FIX FOR THIS. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277049
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2009
Structure
WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FLOORBOARDS, IN MY 2003 IMPALA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR FLOOD. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW LITTLE OR HOW MUCH IT RAINS, THE FLOORBOARDS ALWAYS FLOOD. THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE WATER WAS PAST MY ANKLES. THE WATER IS DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BOX AREA AND IT RUNS ALONG THE DOOR SEA…
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WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FLOORBOARDS, IN MY 2003 IMPALA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR FLOOD. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW LITTLE OR HOW MUCH IT RAINS, THE FLOORBOARDS ALWAYS FLOOD. THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE WATER WAS PAST MY ANKLES. THE WATER IS DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BOX AREA AND IT RUNS ALONG THE DOOR SEAL TO THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS POSSIBLE A BAD CABIN SEAL. AFTER FINALLY GETTING FED UP WITH THE SITUATION I LOOKED FOR A POSSIBLE SOLUTION ONLINE AND WHILE I DIDN'T FIND A SOLUTION I FOUND MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS LASTED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276732
125,000 miles · Jul 8, 2009
Electrical System
THE SECURITY LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF, CAUSING MY HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS IN MY DASHBOARD TO FLASH ALSO. IT ENDED UP STRANDING ME IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE SO-CALLED SECURITY FEATURE ON THIS CAR SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276139
124,864 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PERSISTENT BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE POURING OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER. A FEW UNKNOWN COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PERSISTENT BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE POURING OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER. A FEW UNKNOWN COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. SHE LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, WHICH STATED THAT THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO DROPS OF ENGINE OIL DEPOSITED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 124,864. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD AN INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING. UPDATED 07/15/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10273805
99,000 miles · May 13, 2009
Structure
PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE ON BOTH BACK DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF LIKE IMPALAS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM!*TR
NHTSA ODI #10268651
99,800 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Electrical System
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. "SECURITY" WARNING LIGHT ON DASH, THEN RANDOM WONT-START EPISODE. WAIT 15 MINUTES AND IT STARTS. NO CONFIDENCE THAT GM DEALERSHIPS KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, OR WILL PERMANENTLY FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267296
156,000 miles · Apr 22, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON DURING DRIVING CAR WILL STALL OR DIE CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO CROSS TRAFFIC A T COAST TO GET THE EMERGENCY LANE OF ROAD WHICH IS DANGEROUS. MANY TIMES WHEN I GO TO START VEHICLE IT DOES NOTHING. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS I…
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MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON DURING DRIVING CAR WILL STALL OR DIE CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO CROSS TRAFFIC A T COAST TO GET THE EMERGENCY LANE OF ROAD WHICH IS DANGEROUS. MANY TIMES WHEN I GO TO START VEHICLE IT DOES NOTHING. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266399
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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