NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
104 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 30, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper
THE HEATER COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING BUT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE TO WORK (IT HAS DUAL TEMP. CONTROLS). THE TURN SIGNALS WORK JUST WHEN THEY WANT TO AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO THE SAME. THEY JUST STOP WORKING WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BUT NOB…
Read full complaint
THE HEATER COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING BUT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE TO WORK (IT HAS DUAL TEMP. CONTROLS). THE TURN SIGNALS WORK JUST WHEN THEY WANT TO AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO THE SAME. THEY JUST STOP WORKING WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BUT NOBODY CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, UPON THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE SINCE THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN I'VE FOUND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME ISSUES YET THERE HAS BEEN NO KIND OF RECALLS TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546241
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2013
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMPS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10533410
205,000 miles · Aug 2, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL AND CURVY ROAD, MY LIGHTS WHEN OUT WHEN I SWITCHED FROM MY HIGH BEAMS TO MY LOW BEAMS. I COULD NOT SEE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND LUCKILY THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON WHEN I USED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH TO ENGAGE THEM. I AM LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS COMING BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. THE MULTIFUNCTI…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL AND CURVY ROAD, MY LIGHTS WHEN OUT WHEN I SWITCHED FROM MY HIGH BEAMS TO MY LOW BEAMS. I COULD NOT SEE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND LUCKILY THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON WHEN I USED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH TO ENGAGE THEM. I AM LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS COMING BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH DID NOT ?CLICK? LIKE IT TYPICALLY DOES WHEN I SWITCH FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN I WAS DRIVING BUT IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE TO SOMEONE ELSE THERE COULD BE TRAGIC RESULTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533282
130,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA THIS EVENING AND HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR THE PAST MONTH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, ONLY THE BRIGHTS WORKED. THIS EVENING, WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SUDDENLY THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE. WE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAVED THE FIRE…
Read full complaint
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA THIS EVENING AND HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR THE PAST MONTH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, ONLY THE BRIGHTS WORKED. THIS EVENING, WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SUDDENLY THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE. WE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAVED THE FIRE OUT, LUCKILY WE GOT OUT SAFE. WE NOW HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY IMPALAS AND CHEVROLET NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION. SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THEIR LIGHTS FAILING OR GET INJURED BECAUSE THEIR CAR STARTS ON FIRE. IT'S A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523598
127,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER DARK MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF . THIS CAUSED A PANIC AS I WAS IN CITY TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT SEE. MY LIGHTS WERE ON THE DIM MODE . I DISCOVERED I COULD MAKE THEM COME BACK ON IF I USED THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER TO CHANGE TO BRIGHT LIGHTS. I'D THEN SWITCH BACK TO DIM AND THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK FOR 60-120 SEC…
Read full complaint
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER DARK MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF . THIS CAUSED A PANIC AS I WAS IN CITY TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT SEE. MY LIGHTS WERE ON THE DIM MODE . I DISCOVERED I COULD MAKE THEM COME BACK ON IF I USED THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER TO CHANGE TO BRIGHT LIGHTS. I'D THEN SWITCH BACK TO DIM AND THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK FOR 60-120 SECONDS AND THEN GO OUT. ONCE AGAIN I WOULD GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS WITH THE SAME RESULT. AFTER MY SECOND NIGHT OF THIS HAPPENING I DECIDED TO CHECK THEIR INNER NET . I HAD NOTICED THERE WERE 26 COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE 2004 MULTIFUNCTION LEVER. I HAD A CAR LOAD OF PEOPLE THE FIRST NIGHT AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR . THE MULTIFUNCTION SELECTOR LEVER NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON 2004 IMPALAS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. IF NOTHING ELSE I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD REPLACE THE PART WHEN REPORTED MALFUNCTIONING AT THEIR COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521590
218,000 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
LAST JULY THE DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THEY COULD BE MADE TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY BY WIGGLING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH AND / OR BANGING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LAST NIGHT MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 PM ON A 4 LANE SECONDARY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AND ALL OF TH…
Read full complaint
LAST JULY THE DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THEY COULD BE MADE TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY BY WIGGLING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH AND / OR BANGING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LAST NIGHT MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 PM ON A 4 LANE SECONDARY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AND ALL OF THE HEADLAMPS WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING, LEAVING HIM UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. HE RAN OVER A CURB, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. HE AND HIS PASSENGERS (2) WERE VERY SHAKEN EMOTIONALLY. THE CAR WAS LEFT THERE OVERNIGHT. WHEN IT WAS PICKED UP DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS TODAY, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING IT HOME AND TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF MANUALLY, THEY QUIT AGAIN. THEY COULD BE MADE TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY BY WIGGLING THE DIMMER SWITCH / TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE PART WAS OVER $500. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM IF THIS IS COMMON TO THESE VEHICLES, AS MY SON AND HIS PASSENGERS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY IF NOT FATALLY INJURED HAD THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502004
150,000 miles · Jan 28, 2013
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SUDDENLY GO DARK. MANIPULATING THE HIGH/LOW BEAM SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO TURN ON AGAIN. THIS CONDITION HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494925
90,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHEN APPLYING THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS, ALL EXTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS GO OUT. VERY SCARY! WHEN OPERATING SWITCH AGAIN LIGHTS RETURN, BUT HAVE DIM HEADLAMPS ONLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. NOW ONLY DRIVE WITH DIMS ON UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR. NOT SAFE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482690
125,000 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Exterior Lighting
IN MAY 2012 MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR STARTED TO NOT COME ON WHEN NEEDED. THEN THEY WOULD COME ON 10-30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED "FLASHING" WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH. I HAVE HAD THE DIMMER SWITCH REPLACED, AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL…
Read full complaint
IN MAY 2012 MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR STARTED TO NOT COME ON WHEN NEEDED. THEN THEY WOULD COME ON 10-30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED "FLASHING" WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH. I HAVE HAD THE DIMMER SWITCH REPLACED, AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL NOW. THE BRIGHT BARELY COME ON AND I HAVE TO HOLD THE STICK DOWN THE WHOLE TIME I WANT TO USE THEM. SOMETIMES IF I NEED TO DRIVE A NIGHT I USE THE FOG LIGHTS WHICH HAVE RECENTLY DECIDED NOT TO WORK AT ALL. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWED. I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR ON OTHER ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468820
73,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MODULE IN THE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MODULE IN THE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #10454733
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 ↗