IllustrationFREQUENTLY AT NIGHT, WHEN SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM ALL THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT.....FOUND BY FLICKERING BACK TO LOW BEAM THEY WILL COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES THEY GO OUT W/O SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM. SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK! *NM
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
What owners actually said
694 reportsOUR 2003 IMPALA LS @ 50K MILES HAD A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THAT GREATLY INCREASED WITH HARDER BRAKING AND ALSO A STEADY VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END THAT INCREASED AS SPEED INCREASED. MY RETIRED FATHER IN LAW BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, BRIAN HARRIS CHEVROLET IN BATON ROUGE, LA AND …
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OUR 2003 IMPALA LS @ 50K MILES HAD A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THAT GREATLY INCREASED WITH HARDER BRAKING AND ALSO A STEADY VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END THAT INCREASED AS SPEED INCREASED. MY RETIRED FATHER IN LAW BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, BRIAN HARRIS CHEVROLET IN BATON ROUGE, LA AND HE FELT THAT HE WAS TREATED POORLY BY THE SERVICE DEPT. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO ALL STAR CHEVROLET WHERE WE WERE TREATED PROFESSIONALLY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND WARPED ROTORS, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT WAS APPROVED BY THE WARRANTY CARRIER, WHICH COULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS. THEY SAID THAT RENTAL CAR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE MADE IF WARRANTY REPAIR WAS APPROVED. WE PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND PICKED UP OUR CAR AND THEN TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH FOR YEARS AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. THEY RESURFACED THE BRAKE ROTOR AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW @ 80K MILES WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME WARPED ROTOR PROBLEMS AGAIN. *NM
TL* - ON DECEMBER 25, 2006, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN HER CHILD GOT OUT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SECURED HER CHILD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE CALLED THOROBRED CHEVROLET…
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TL* - ON DECEMBER 25, 2006, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN HER CHILD GOT OUT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SECURED HER CHILD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE CALLED THOROBRED CHEVROLET FROM WHOM SHE PURCHASED THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHY THE CAR DID NOT HAVE CHILD PROOF SAFETY LOCKS. THE DEALER TRIED TO SELL HER A NEW CAR INSTEAD OF PROVIDING HER WITH INFORMATION ON HOW SHE COULD GET SOME CHILD PROOF SAFETY LOCKS FOR THIS CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY DEALERSHIP THAT SHE HAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THE CHILD PROOF LOCKS . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHE WOULD LIKE THE CHILD PROOF SAFETY LOCKS ADDED TO THE CAR AT NO COST, OR TO BE PROVIDED WITH A CAR THAT DID HAVE CHILD PROOF LOCKS. *AK UPDATED 02/09/07. *JB
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH HAS 46,904 MILES ON IT AND IT REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING AT A COST OF $1,150.00 TO FIX. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR A NO HEAT PROBLEM, UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, NEW WATER PUMP, FLUSHING AND NEW DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATI…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH HAS 46,904 MILES ON IT AND IT REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING AT A COST OF $1,150.00 TO FIX. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR A NO HEAT PROBLEM, UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, NEW WATER PUMP, FLUSHING AND NEW DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STRAPS THAT TIGHTENED THE HARNESS ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WERE WEARING ON THE EDGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS A DJG ALPHA OMEGA 3IN1 22-151 BLA.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STRAPS THAT TIGHTENED THE HARNESS ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WERE WEARING ON THE EDGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS A DJG ALPHA OMEGA 3IN1 22-151 BLA.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF TURNING ON. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.
WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY GO OUT ENTIRELY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED US TO QUIT USING THE HIGH BEAMS DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK. *NM
ABOUT 9:00 PM I WAS DRIVING ABOUT TWO KM. FROM HOME WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD HAZARD LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS. I TRIED HIGH AND LOW BEAMS TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF BUT THEY WOULD NOT TURN ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE NEXT MORNING AND STILL NO LIGHTS. WHEN THEY FLIPP THE HI-LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS CAME BA…
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ABOUT 9:00 PM I WAS DRIVING ABOUT TWO KM. FROM HOME WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD HAZARD LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS. I TRIED HIGH AND LOW BEAMS TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF BUT THEY WOULD NOT TURN ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE NEXT MORNING AND STILL NO LIGHTS. WHEN THEY FLIPP THE HI-LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON-THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED. *NM
COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE ALWAYS ENDED WITH NO FOUND PROBLEMS ON VEHICLE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2003. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE COOLANT FLUSH AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER WERE COMPLETED AND STILL NO PROBLEMS FOUND. AT 75,671 MILES DEALER FOUND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING AND SAID ENG…
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COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE ALWAYS ENDED WITH NO FOUND PROBLEMS ON VEHICLE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2003. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE COOLANT FLUSH AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER WERE COMPLETED AND STILL NO PROBLEMS FOUND. AT 75,671 MILES DEALER FOUND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING AND SAID ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR IF NOT REPLACED. REPAIR COST $658. FOUND THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INDICATE THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM IN A HOST OF GM VEHICLES FROM 2000. PUBLIC IS BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS FOR POOR ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT FOR THE LESS THAN KNOWLEDGEABLE DRIVER. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WITH POOR LESS THAN OPTIMAL ENGINE PERFORMANCE, LOSS OF COOLANT, OIL, ETC. SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED. HOW MANY OF THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE OVER THE SPAN OF YEARS BY THE MANUFACTURER? HOW MANY UNINFORMED CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN DUPED BY THIS LACK OF MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY?*JB
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.