Page 2 of 14 · complaints 51–100 of 695

2003 Chevrolet Impala complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2017138,000 milesMA

ALUMINUM SUB-FRAME FRACTURED ON LEFT SIDE DRIVER. (CONTROL ARM). REALIZED WHEN REPAIRING TIE RODS. HAVE BEEN RECALLS (312V377000) INVOLVING POLICE VEHICLES, BUT I GUESS CIVILIAN SAFETY ISN'T A PRIORITY. I DO UNDERSTAND WEAR, BUT THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN, WHICH CAUSED THE ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2017IN

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN150757 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER15V701 ENGINE OIL LEAKS ONTO MY MANIFOLD AND SMOKES I HAVE CONTACTED CAR DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTACT ME AND NEVER DO

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Feb 23, 2017190,000 milesCA

YESTERDAY FED 22 WE WHERE AT HOME AND WE HERED A LOUD SOUND I WHEN OUT SIDE AND THE CAR WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF AND PARKED IN ARE PARKING LOT.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2017170,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FREE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 10, 2017MN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE LIPS, CHEST BRUISES, AND PAIN TO THE JAW. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 8, 2017MD

WHEN I TURN IGNITION SWITCH ON 10 TIMES AND FINALLY STAR RUNNING ENGINE THEN LATER I SAW THAT AIRBAGS LIGHT ON 5 MINS SELF OFF ALL CLUSTERS BUT STILL RUNNING ENGINE. THEN, I TURN OFF IGNITION THEN TURN BACK ON SAME THINGS 15 TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH CAR. THE BATTERY IS GOOD.

Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2017OH

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. IT SEEMS TO BE PRIMARILY WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. SOMETIMES IT'S COMPLETELY LOCKED AND SOMETIMES IT IS JUST VERY HARD TO TURN. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE I BELIEVE IT MAY BE THE STEERING SHAFT CAUSING THE ISSUE. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 7, 201795,000 milesNJ

CAR HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN APPLYING GAS AND STARTING TO MOVE FROM A DEAD STOP. EXAMPLE: FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 25, 2016224,000 milesIL

THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY 106. LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS NEAR ME AT THE TIME, AS I LOST ALL POWER CONTROLS ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATING BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AND I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL I HAD LEFT, HOPING TO REACH WHITE HALL, IL TO FILL-UP THE GAS TANK.

EngineFire
Filed Dec 2, 2016IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 22, 2016122,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. TH REPAIR COST WOULD HAVE EXCEEDED THE WORTH OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 18, 2016AL

APPROXIMATELY 75,0000 MILES, ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT APPEARING. I HAVE HAD 3 REPAIRS AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. AT 89,000MILES, THE LIGHTS APPEAR AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF OR TURN SHARPELY. THE WEATHER HAS NO AFFECT ON THIS, DRY OR WET. I PUSH THE TRACTION OFF BUTTON AND IT STOPS. THEN REAPPEARS. THE SOUND SCARES ME MAKING ME THINK THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. HAPPENS WHEN I TURN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET, TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT. NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 IMPALA, HUNDREDS INFACT. I HAVE SPEND OVER A $1,000. ON REPAIRS. HELP PLEASE, SOMETHING IS WRONG THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED. HAPPENING OVER A YEAR, 2015 TO 2016.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 2016102,000 milesWI

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT NO TRAFFIC. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY DESTROYING THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. NO CRASH TOOK PLACE. MADE A CLAIM WITH GM MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I AM AFRAID TO FIX THIS CAR AND DRIVE IT ANY LONGER. I DID HAVE THE ENGINE FIRE RECALL FIXED 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2016150,000 milesAL

ABS, TRACTION, AND BREAK LIGHTS COME ON........ THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PADDLE ITS OFTEN LIKE THE BRAKES WANT TO LOCK UP , WITH A SCRUBBING SOUND.... ALSO WHEN I PUSH THE BREAK PADDLE DOWN IT OFTEN MAKES A SOUND AND THE BREAK PADDLE FEELS LIKE IT COMES BACK UP WITH THE BREAK STILL DOWN,.........BUT THEN WHEN I DRIVE LIKE 20-25 MILES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND HARDLY COME ON UNTIL I STOP AGAIN

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 27, 2016139,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 17, 2016200,000 milesNC

IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EquipmentCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 2016178,000 milesOK

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WHEN SHE WENT TO PASS A TURNING VEHICLE PULLING A TRAILER AND WHEN SHE DID SO THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK CAUSING HER TO HIT THE REAR OF THE TRAILER WENT INTO THE DITCH WHERE THE CAR ROLLED ONTO THE ROOF. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM A WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WE STILL HAVE BEEN GETTING RECALL NOTICES FOR THE VEHICLE. GM REFUSES ANY LIABILITY IN THE CRASH.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 17, 2016FL

WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AND ALLOW TO SHIFT. IT HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT. THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARNING LIGHT DINGS AND STAYS LIT. I MANUALLY TURN OFF ABS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE WIRING THRU OUT THE CAR HAS FAILED TO MY REARVIEW MIRROR, DOMELIGHTS AND RADIO PANEL. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT I AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 14, 2016130,207 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START SOMETIMES WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. ALSO IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET ITSELF AND IT TAKES FOREVER

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 201686,000 milesTN

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION OCCURRED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, ROAD WAS DRY AND SMOOTH, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, ROAD WAS VERY FAMILIAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOOK VEHICLE TO WALTER JACKSON CHEVROLET IN RINGGOLD, GA FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE, THEY FOUND, WAS A PERSISTENT WATER LEAK BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED CORROSION AND CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS LEAK REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ATTEMPTS ONLY SUCCEEDED TEMPORARILY, IF AT ALL. FOUND FROM INTERNET SEARCHES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. AS I ALSO DRIVE A 2004 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SAME LEAK, I AM CONCERNED THAT ITS AIRBAGS COULD ALSO DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CAR'S HISTORY, AS IT WAS PURCHASED FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES IT AT $2,000 AND REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED AT $4,000. FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF REPAIRS ON THE CAR, EXCEPTING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE: 12-20-2007- RIGHT SIDE COWL PANEL SEAL- TO FIX LEAK UNDER GLOVE BOX 5-15-2010- BODY REPAIR- GRASS FIRE GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BLISTER PAINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR BEFORE FIRE DEPT. PUT IT OUT. (WE WEREN'T THERE TO MOVE IT.) 11-19-2013- WINDSHIELD AND GASKET- LEAKING AGAIN. 5-13-2016- REPAIR WATER LEAK- LEAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT AFTER-MARKET FIXES ON THE INTERNET THAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED PEOPLE HAVE DEVISED, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SAFE FROM THIS PROBLEM WHEN

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2016OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2016MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 3, 2016130,000 milesCA

HEAD LIGHT LENS DETERIORATING AND DIMINISHING ABILITY TO SEE ROAD

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 16, 2016PA

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.IT HAPPENED IN PHILADELPHIA ON HUNTING PARK AND FRONT

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 8, 2016275,000 milesMI

MY TURNING SIGNALS WORK ON AND OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER AND MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULDN'T WORK BUT THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER A DAY OR TWO THE RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD WORK BUT THEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WON'T WORK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WOULD BOTH WORK THEN BOTH STOP WORKING. NOW A MONTH HAS PASSED AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WORK MOST THE TIME, BUT WILL WORK FOR A HOT SECOND AND THEN STOP WORKING. THIS IS ONLY FOR THE REAR TURNING SIGNAL THOUGH THE FRONT TURNING SIGNAL HAVE ALWAYS WORKED PROPERLY AND STILL DO.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 4, 201675,000 milesNY

THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOAD HOME NOT NOWING WHAT THIS WAS AND HAS ALSO HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON THIS IS VERY INCONVIENT. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER IMPALA OWNERS AN DEALERS THIS IS COMMON IN THE CHEVY IMPALA'S. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL SEEING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE? I GAVE MY SON THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT WANT HIM STRAINDED AND I CANT KEEP REPLACING PARTS HOPING THAT WORKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME *TR

EngineFire
Filed Jul 1, 2016158,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOT A FAINT FUEL SMELL (NOT SEEN IN PAST). SHORTLY ANOTHER MOTORIST FLAGGED ME AND SAID HE SAW FLAMES UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND EVACUATED VEHICLE. SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED NO RECENT ENGINE WORK. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 27, 2016170,000 milesCA

THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE TEMPERATURES RISE UP TO 120 PLUS DEGREES SO BEING "STUCK" TRYING TO START MY CAR IS NOT PLEASANT ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY CHILD WITH ME. SOMETIMES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTING IT WORKS BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK IS KICKING IN MORE THAN USUAL. IS THERE A WAY TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS SO I HAVE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 2016110,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 9, 201630 milesAL

YES MY ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING AND IT MAKING MY CAR HOT AND I THINK MY OIL PAN IS FULL OF OIL EVERY TIME I PUT OIL IN IT IT RUN STRAIGHT OUT AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES STRAIGHT OR IT WILL JUST CUT COMPLETE OFF AND MY BRAKES IS GOING OUT THEY WANT STOP ON TIME

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 8, 2016204,684 milesFL

I WAS IN MY CAR MOVING FORWARD ON A STATE HIGHWAY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON WHEN SMOKE STATED TO COME OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. I TURNED OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY, WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON IT ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SOMETIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT, WHEN THEY FINISHED THE INSPECTION THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THEY SAID THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AC RESISTER AND CONTROL HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 3, 2016200,040 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WIPED THE ENGINE CLEAN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,040.

Electrical System
Filed May 12, 2016IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

EngineFire
Filed May 5, 2016193,000 milesTX

THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM OIL LEAK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 4, 2016WY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF UPDATED 07/21/16.*JB

Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2016GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED AND THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 22, 2016CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND TRQUE BOLTS WRER REPLACED. UPDATED 06/27/16.*JB

Engine
Filed Apr 21, 201684,693 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE RADIATIOR. THE LEAK DAMAGED THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,693.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 201632 milesAR

FIRST WAS HAZARDOUS SWITCH DRIVING NIGHT LOST LIGHTS ON DASH AND DRIVING LIGHT,TOOK TO DEALER SHORT OUT WIRING FROM HAZARD SWITCH COST 650.00 WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP ON GOING PROBLEM WITH IT, NEXT WAS SECURITY LIGHT COMING ON PULLED OVER ON HIGHWAY TURNED KEY OFF WOULD NOT START TOOK TO DEALER SAID HAVE ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCH GOING TO COST 500.00. SAID THEY KNOW THEY HAVE ISSUES. WE ARE RETIRED MILITARY, THIS IS WRONG WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE ISSUES THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED.

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2016OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2016AL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2016150,000 milesNY

YOUR RECALL 15757 IS INEFFECTIVE AND SOON TO BE A LAW SUIT IF SOMEONE DOES NOT TELL THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOT HIDE BEHIND THE FACT THAT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. I CALLED NEWBURGH AND POUGHKEEPSIE AND THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS. I DRIVE CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE AND IF ANYTHING LAW SUIT WILL BE INITIATED

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2016TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 31, 2016281,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 281,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 2016KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE ENGINE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAD TO WAIT ANYWHERE FROM 15 MINUTES TO 1/2 BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RE-START. UPDATED 05/05/16.*JB

EngineFire
Filed Mar 28, 2016MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL SPILL ON THE MANIFOLD AND EMITTED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 25, 201657,000 milesVA

AFTER PUTTING KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE KEY WOULD GO IN/OUT, BUT WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF TAPPING/SHAKING THE KEY THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START. FOR THE NEXT WEEK, THE KEY WAS IN/OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH TROUBLE, THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, STRANDING ME AT THE STORE. THIS TIME IT TOOK OVER 1 HOUR TO JAR THE KEY TO BE ABLE TO TURN/START CAR. AFTER REVIEW INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHEVY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS. THERE ARE ALSO MANY SAME COMPLAINTS LISTED ON FILE ON THIS. REPAIR SHOP QUOTES $500 IN PARTS/LABOR TO FIX. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 57000 MILES AND I BOUGHT IT USED 6 YEARS AGO WITH ONLY 9500 ORIGINAL MILES.

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2016NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2016MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2016AL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ UPDATED 10/20/2017*JS

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala → · Every Impala year → · How the figures are calculated →