TOTAL HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 287 NORTH OF FT COLLINS, CO. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CHANGING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME LAST FALL BUT WE NOW HAVE THE FOG LAMPS ON SO WHEN THEY FAIL WE AT LEAST HAVE SOME LIGHT THOUGH IT IS MINIMAL.…
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TOTAL HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 287 NORTH OF FT COLLINS, CO. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CHANGING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME LAST FALL BUT WE NOW HAVE THE FOG LAMPS ON SO WHEN THEY FAIL WE AT LEAST HAVE SOME LIGHT THOUGH IT IS MINIMAL. WE THEN HAVE TO FLIP THE HI-LO SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE LOW BEAMS BACK ON. THERE HAS BEEN OCCASION THAT AFTER WE GET THE HIGH BEAMS TO WORK AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY WILL JUST GO OUT COMPLETELY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THERE ARE PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE MULTISWITCH GM USED ON 2000-2005 VEHICLES. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS SWITCH IS OUTRAGEOUS $300.00- $600.00 SO I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT POSE A HAZARD DUE TO THIS FAULTY SWITCH. MY GIRLFRIEND WHO OWNS THIS CAR LIVES ON A NARROW WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD AND HAS HAD THESE HEADLIGHT FAILURES IN THE MIDDLE OF CURVES AND IT IS VERY SCARY FOR HER AND PASSENGERS. IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317278
143,122 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I JUST HAD MY SECOND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (HEADLIGHT DIMMER, TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE, WIPER/WASHER) FAIL ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME REASON RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AS SEEN BY NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS. I DISSECTED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH TO DETERMINE IF THIS COULD BE FIXED. IT BECAME…
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I JUST HAD MY SECOND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (HEADLIGHT DIMMER, TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE, WIPER/WASHER) FAIL ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME REASON RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AS SEEN BY NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS. I DISSECTED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH TO DETERMINE IF THIS COULD BE FIXED. IT BECAME QUITE OBVIOUS WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE CONTACTS ON THE HI/LO BEAM PORTION OF THE SWITCH FOUL AND OVERHEAT. THIS SWITCH HAD MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE SWITCH HOUSING THAT HAD FLOWED OVER THE CONTACTS AND PREVENTED PROPER SWITCH OPERATION. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. THIS OVERHEATING IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING THAT HAS RESULTED IN UNDERSIZED CONTACTS THAT FOUL DUE TO RELATIVELY HIGH LOAD CURRENTS IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308091
68,250 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HEADLLGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVIING. AS OF NOW THEY STILL COME BACK ON WHEN SWITCHING THE LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM SWITCH. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. CANNOT DRIVE CAR WHEN DARK. WILL COST ABOUT $600 TO REPAIR.*CW
NHTSA ODI #10303004
80,000 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT A USED 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND OCTOBER 19, 2007 AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. MY SPEED ODOMETER SAID I WAS DOING FORTY WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER FOR DOING 55MPH, AND AS I PULLED OFF AND LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER IT WAS STUCK AT 40MPH. ALSO THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME ON…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND OCTOBER 19, 2007 AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. MY SPEED ODOMETER SAID I WAS DOING FORTY WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER FOR DOING 55MPH, AND AS I PULLED OFF AND LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER IT WAS STUCK AT 40MPH. ALSO THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME ON THEIR OWN. I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT AND MY HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE AND I HIT THE BRAKES AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. AFTER I FOOLED AROUND WITH THE HIGHBEAM SWITCH FOR A WHILE THE LIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. *TW
NHTSA ODI #10302966
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH EXTREME CAUTION. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH EXTREME CAUTION. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10300234
812,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting
2004 IMPALA HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT BUT WILL COME BACK ON IF THE DIMMER SWITCH IS USED..DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298771
51,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HE STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AS IF THERE WERE FROST ON THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT ALL HEADLIGHTS IN 2001 MODEL YEAR AND BEYOND WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC LENSES. HE STATED THAT THE NEW DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND THE ABI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HE STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AS IF THERE WERE FROST ON THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT ALL HEADLIGHTS IN 2001 MODEL YEAR AND BEYOND WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC LENSES. HE STATED THAT THE NEW DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED. UPDATED 09/16/09 *BF UPDATED 09/17/09
NHTSA ODI #10281841
51,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HE STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AS IF THERE WERE FROST ON THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT ALL HEADLIGHTS IN 2001 MODEL YEAR AND BEYOND WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC LENSES. HE STATED THAT THE NEW DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND THE ABI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HE STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AS IF THERE WERE FROST ON THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT ALL HEADLIGHTS IN 2001 MODEL YEAR AND BEYOND WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC LENSES. HE STATED THAT THE NEW DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED. UPDATED 09/16/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SAND WOULD BLOW ON THE HEADLIGHT COVER WHICH LIMITED VISIBILITY. UPDATED 09/17/09
NHTSA ODI #10281840
60,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY POOR AND SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH WHILE DRIVING TO ENSURE THE ACTIVA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY POOR AND SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH WHILE DRIVING TO ENSURE THE ACTIVATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10268419
58,000 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT OCCASIONALLY WHEN SWITCHING ON THE HIGH BEAMS. IT HAS DONE THIS INTERMITTENTLY FOR SOME TIME. THEY WILL COME ON WHEN YOU SWITCH THEM AGAIN. THE CAR IS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. IT FIRST STARTED IT ABOUT 2 YRS AGO. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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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