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2003 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

694 reports
52,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN A TURN. ALSO COULD FEEL A "THUMP" THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT SAME TIME. WE ARE STATIONED IN GERMANY IN THE AIR FORCE. TOOK IT TO THE OPEL DEALER (CHEVY EQUIV. IN GERMANY) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER $300 AND A LONG TIM…

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CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN A TURN. ALSO COULD FEEL A "THUMP" THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT SAME TIME. WE ARE STATIONED IN GERMANY IN THE AIR FORCE. TOOK IT TO THE OPEL DEALER (CHEVY EQUIV. IN GERMANY) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER $300 AND A LONG TIME WAITING FOR THE PART, IT WAS REPLACED AND HASN'T GIVEN US A PROBLEM SINCE. ALSO HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR "EATING" BRAKES AND ROTORS. REMINDS ME EXACTLY OF MY BUICK REGAL I HAD WITH THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. AFTER I SOLD THE REGAL, I WAS SENT INFO ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GMC FOR THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. BOTH ARE GREAT CARS BUT BRAKES STINK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200463

69,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Electrical System

THEFT SYSTEM HAD TO BE DISABLED BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START 3 TIMES AND HAD TO BE TOWED. REMOTE CAR ACCESS HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR ABOVE REASON. COST OVER $500 TO REPAIR. FAULTY THEFT MODULE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198737

45,000 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BREAKER OR A FUSE FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THIS COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE MUST PAY TO HAVE THE FEATURE ADDED. THE VIN AND ENGINE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BREAKER OR A FUSE FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THIS COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE MUST PAY TO HAVE THE FEATURE ADDED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DIDN'T REQUEST TO HAVE THE FEATURE ADDED JUST REQUESTED TO SHOW HIM THE BREAKER. UPDATED 11/07/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198630

45,242 miles · Jul 22, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

20003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 45,242 MILES NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED DUE TO WARPING. $190 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197165

45,242 miles · Jul 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 45,242 MILES HAD TO HAVE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO IT LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL. $550. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197164

75,000 miles · Jul 22, 2007
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN. ONLY HAD HI BEAMS IF I HELD THE DIMMER SWITCH TOWARDS ME. ONCE I RELEASED THE SWITCH, I HAD NO LIGHTS. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH WITH ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR LIKE MINE BECAUSE A NEW ONE FROM GM WAS $500. *TR ALSO HAD HEAT/AC FAN STOP WORKING. …

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MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN. ONLY HAD HI BEAMS IF I HELD THE DIMMER SWITCH TOWARDS ME. ONCE I RELEASED THE SWITCH, I HAD NO LIGHTS. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH WITH ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR LIKE MINE BECAUSE A NEW ONE FROM GM WAS $500. *TR ALSO HAD HEAT/AC FAN STOP WORKING. NOW CAR IS MAKING A STRANGE HUMMING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END THAT IS NOT COMING FROM THE MOTOR. MY HUSBAND BELIEVES THE WHEEL BEARINGS MIGHT BE BAD BECAUSE OUR MECHANIC ASKED US IF WE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM. HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CARS LIKE MINE WITH WHEEL BEARING ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10197139

65,600 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BATTERY LIGHTS WOULD SCROLL ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER, AND A CHIME WOULD RING. THE FAILURES OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE MORE THE VEHIC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BATTERY LIGHTS WOULD SCROLL ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER, AND A CHIME WOULD RING. THE FAILURES OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE MORE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE MORE THE FAILURES OCCUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,746 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,600.

NHTSA ODI #10195672

101,000 miles · Jun 20, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED HER $669 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAD A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED HER $669 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAD A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193844

20,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE F…

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THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT $281.60 FOR NEW ONE. 12/09/05, TO DEALERSHIP FOR STARTING CONCERNS AND MAINTENANCE. 04/13/06-CAR WOULD NOT START TO LEAVE WORK. WARD'S CHEVROLET CAME TO MY WORK SITE. LEFT ME A RENTAL AND KEPT MY CAR UNTIL 04/20/06. I PAID $674.56 FOR A 2ND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE. 06/21/06- TO LOCAL GARAGE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. $100 PAID FOR "SHORT" IN ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED NO START AND TOWING. 08/04/06-COOPER BUICK IN MONROE,LA- $281.00 FOR ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND RECALL ON 2003 IMPALA HEADGASKETS THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. 11/22/06-NO START, TURN OVER-WENT OUTSIDE 3 HOURS LATER-STARTS WITH HARD START. 12/06/06-BRAKES WENT FROM QUIET TO GRINDING-SLOW HARD STARTS CONTINUE. WARD'S KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH-NEVER TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR EXCEPT BRAKES. DID NOT CHARGE. AT THIS TIME I HAD REQUESTED A GM INVESTI.-NO RESULTS-STATES"THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE CONCERN". THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE SLOW, HARD STARTS WITH VERY NOTICEABLE GAS SMELLS. THE SMELL OF GAS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 04/20/06 REPAIRS. NOW SERVICE, ABS, SECURITY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND SLOW, HARD STARTS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING WARD'S SINCE THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2007 REQUESTING FACTORY REP. TO MEET AND DRIVE CAR AFTER THEIR HAVING A MONTH WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CARS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THIS A.M. TO BE INFORMED THAT NEW SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SINCE MARCH I HAVE REQUESTED THE FACTORY REP. WITH NO RESPONSE FROM WARD'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189372

86,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Power Train

AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE REPAIR SHOP AT TWO DEARLERSHIPS FOR MY SLIPPING TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 IMPALA, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188950

Official recalls

5

15V701000 · 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S 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

1

PE06017 · 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.