NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
681 reportsClear category filter113,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA
NHTSA ODI #10576770
189,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System
WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T START OR TURNOVER. THIS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THAN SLAM IT INTO PARK AND THEN TURN THE KEY OVER. I DID THIS A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THESE CARS DO…
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WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T START OR TURNOVER. THIS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THAN SLAM IT INTO PARK AND THEN TURN THE KEY OVER. I DID THIS A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THESE CARS DON'T HAVE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCHES. VERY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR ON VACATION AND FAR FROM COMFORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576288
30,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10576220
213,459 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical System
I WENT OUT TO START MY IMPALA TO GET READY FOR WORK. UNLOCK MY DOORS AS I NORMALLY DO, AND PROCEED TO START THE CAR. IT IS THE CHEVY KEY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR. ANYWAY, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING, ALL I GET ON MY DASH IS THE FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT. SO I WENT BACK INSIDE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY SUPERVI…
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I WENT OUT TO START MY IMPALA TO GET READY FOR WORK. UNLOCK MY DOORS AS I NORMALLY DO, AND PROCEED TO START THE CAR. IT IS THE CHEVY KEY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR. ANYWAY, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING, ALL I GET ON MY DASH IS THE FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT. SO I WENT BACK INSIDE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY SUPERVISOR LETTING HIM KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO BE LATE. TURNS OUT, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA OF MY BODY STYLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH OR THE PASS LOCK MODULE. VERY INCONVENIENT, THIS IS THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, REALLY HURTS WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS WITH YOU AND ITS HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575810
15,914 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AT THE TIME OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM ORCHARD LAKE RD ONTO NORTHWESTERN HWY (I BELIEVE THIS IS FARMINGTON MICH) AT THIS POINT I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE (ENGINE, BRAKES & POWER STEERING DEAD) AND COASTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON NORTHWESTERN HWY. …
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I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AT THE TIME OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM ORCHARD LAKE RD ONTO NORTHWESTERN HWY (I BELIEVE THIS IS FARMINGTON MICH) AT THIS POINT I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE (ENGINE, BRAKES & POWER STEERING DEAD) AND COASTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON NORTHWESTERN HWY. I PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND CONTINUED ON MY MERRY WAY. NO PROBLEMS GOING THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A PROBLEM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED MY FATHER $481.39 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE THE WORK INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SHOWING THE WORK PERFORMED. I ALSO HAVE PROOF OF PAYMENT TO MASTERCARD SHOWING THE WORK WAS PAID FOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575490
120,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER PANICKING AND TURNING ON HAZARD LIGHTS, THEN AGAIN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS, DID THEY DECIDE TO BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING, AND MUST USE THE HAZARD TRICK AGAIN TO GET THEM WORKING. ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS, AND CAUSED A TRAFFIC TICKET. …
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THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER PANICKING AND TURNING ON HAZARD LIGHTS, THEN AGAIN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS, DID THEY DECIDE TO BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING, AND MUST USE THE HAZARD TRICK AGAIN TO GET THEM WORKING. ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS, AND CAUSED A TRAFFIC TICKET. CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY THEY DO THIS, BUT READ UP ON MANY DIFFERENT SITES THAT MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES. VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574857
110,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN ALABAMA, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAME ILLUMINATED. I DETERMINED THAT MY ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN. AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. AFTER I ARRIVED AT HOME, I DECIDED TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHY THE ENGINE SHUT …
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WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN ALABAMA, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAME ILLUMINATED. I DETERMINED THAT MY ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN. AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. AFTER I ARRIVED AT HOME, I DECIDED TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHY THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT WHILE DRIVING, MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS POSITIONED SO THAT MY KNEES WERE CLOSE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY KNEE BUMPED THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WHEN I START THE ENGINE, IF I SUDDENLY RELEASE THE IGNITION KEY (SWITCH) , THE IGNITION SWITCH STOPS JUST SHORT OF THE OFF POSITION. A SLIGHT BUMP OR JAR CAUSES THE IGNITION SWITCH TO MOVE TO THE OFF POSITION. I NOW DRIVE WITH MY DRIVER'S SEAT FARTHER AWAY FROM DASH TO ENSURE I DO NOT ACCIDENTALLY SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572921
70,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10569264
4,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Electrical System
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED ON VARIOUS LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. IT OCCURED ABOUT SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,400 OVER 9.5 YRS. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH. ONCE IN KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, ETC. THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. IMMEDIATELY I FELT THE LOSS OF POWER. I LOO…
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THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED ON VARIOUS LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. IT OCCURED ABOUT SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,400 OVER 9.5 YRS. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH. ONCE IN KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, ETC. THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. IMMEDIATELY I FELT THE LOSS OF POWER. I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND SAW IT DROP. I SAW AN ENGINE RED LIGHT COME ON. THE TOTAL DURATION OF OUTAGE WAS ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS. UPON RESUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER, NOTHING FURTHER HAPPENED. WE NEVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. OVER THE YEARS I CHECKED FOR RECALL NOTICES AND CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING UNTIL IN JUNE 2012. FROM 2010-12 I HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION ON. NOTHING HAPPENED. I WOULD WAIT FIVE MINUTES OR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN IT WOULD START. THAT HAPPEN MONTHLY FOR TWO YEARS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED/REPLACED THE IGNITION PART AT THE COST OF ABOUT $600. NO PROBLEM SINCE. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL KEY FROM GM WITH THE WIDE HOLE. MY POINT HERE IS THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT VICTIM FROM THESE INCIDENTS. I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569221
30,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
SPEEDOMETER CHANGED TWICE BY ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL WENT OFF BY ITSELF. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL, ANSWER WAS TO HAVE IT CHECKED, ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED BY THREE DEALERS, ONLY ONE SAID YES IT WAS S…
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SPEEDOMETER CHANGED TWICE BY ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL WENT OFF BY ITSELF. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL, ANSWER WAS TO HAVE IT CHECKED, ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED BY THREE DEALERS, ONLY ONE SAID YES IT WAS SLIPPING (TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING SINCE I GOT THE CAR). NO PAPERWORK DUE TO COST TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY TWO DEALERS. ONE DEALER (WHERE I GOT THE CAR) NO LONGER IN BUSINESS BUT HAD THE PAPERWORK FOR THE TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT. BUT THEY TOO SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS AND BECAUSE OF THIS THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569006
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
Apr 6, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
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.
Jun 23, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.
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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