Page 4 of 14 · complaints 151–200 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 →

Electrical System
Filed Sep 14, 2015NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2015100,600 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,600. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ *CN

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 2015200,000 milesIA

GOT THE RECALL DONE ON THE CAR BACK IN MAY ON KEYS AND MY CAR STILL WON'T START HAVE LIGHTS AND EVERY THING BUT I HAVE TO GET OUT AND LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR THEN SOMETIMES IT STARTS. PLUS MY HIGH BRIGHTS LIGHTS ON DASH FLASH AND MESSAGE CENTER SAYS HIGH BEAM OUT BUT ONLY WORK HAVE THE TIME, MY CAR OUT OF NO WHERE SHAKEYS IN ANY CONDITION AND ITS REAR END DOES IT AT 50-60+ MILES AN HOUR AND WON'T STOP TIL I BRAKE PAST 40PMH AND WORN OUT FOUR TIRES BELTS ON BACK SIDE OF THEM IN FOUR WEEKS TIME AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT WON'T GO OFF EVEN I CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE HELP...

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 13, 201544,000 milesPA

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT B&B AUTOMOTIVE ON JULY 6TH, 2015. THIS VEHICLE HAD 43,850 MILES ON IT. I TEST DRIVED THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT. ON JULY 17TH I REALIZED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN "THE MESSAGE CENTER" SECURITY CAME UP. I IGNORED IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING PERFECTLY. THAN A WEEK LATER IT CAME UP AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED B&B AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR IS UNDER A AVP WARRANTY. 2 DAYS LATER I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL! NOT EVEN CRANK. I TRIED 3 TIMES AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. BECAUSE I WAS JUST GETTING OFF AT 11:45PM NO ONE WAS ABLE TO COME OUT AND HELP ME FROM B&B. I TOOK THE KEY OUT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED. 2 WEEKS LATER ON MY WAY TO WORK I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T. I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND THIS TIME BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I CALLED B&B THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN OR GET IT TOWED, I EXPLIANED TO THEM I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND GAVE IT GAS AND IT WORKED. NOW I HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK. I CALLED B&B AND NOTIFIED THEM BECAUSE I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I TOLD THEM I CALLED IN AND REPORTED THIS ISSUE 3 TIMES THEY SAID IT'S BEEN OVER 30 DAYS SO IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THAT IS NOT FAIR! I TRUSTED THEM IN TRADING MY CAR IN FOR THIS VEHICLE. I WORK FULL-TIME WITH

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2015140,322 milesMI

ENGINE RUNS HOT FOR SOME REASON, NOW ITS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT CAME WEEKS LATER AFTER THE ENGINE PROBLEM WHICH IS IT WON'T CRANK NOMORE AT ALL IT HAVE TO BE A FUEL PROBLEM BECAUSE I SMELL GAS WHEN I TRY TO CRANK IT IN I RECENTLY JUST REPLACE A THE FUEL PUMP ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO ..SO IF YOU GUYS CAN GIVE ME BIG HELP I WILL APPRECIATED IT NOT NO HELP THAT I COULD OF FOUND OUT FROM A BABY MOST LIKELY CHEVY NEED TO CONTACT ME TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THEY SOLD/RELEASED THE CARS OUT KNOWING OR NOT THAT THE CARS HAD A LIL WHILE OF LIFE I KNOW CARS FROM THE 90'S THAT'S NOT HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THESE NEW CARS ''HELP ME PLEASE'' BEFORE I JUNK MY [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Aug 1, 201597,673 milesPA

DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2015NC

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION KEY RECALL NOTICE, BUT NO PARTS. *SMD

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 201574,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE PARKED VEHICLE. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 10, 2015140,000 milesLA

"SECURITY" WARNING ON MESSAGE DISPLAY. ENGINE DOES NOT START, HAVE TO WAIT MINUTES THEN CAR WILL START.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 17, 2015IN

I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. STARTED OFF SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING THEN NOT STARTING I COULD UNHOOK BATTERY AND RESET AND IT WOULD START. LIGHTS WOULD FLASH INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON THEN DIDN'T WORK VOLTAGE METER WOULD BURY TO 0 BUT BATTERY WAS FINE AIR CONSIGN WILL NOT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS DOOR LOCKS DO THEN DON'T WORK BLOWS FUSES TRUNK WILL POC OPEN RADIO WILL LOCK HEADLIGHTS FLASH T I LL I PUT MANUAL LIGHTS ON THEN AUTOMATIC WOULD WORK LATER. SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES A LOT OF THE TIME ALL THESE THINGS START ACTING UP AND IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. SOMETIME CAR WILL JERK AND I HAVE TO RESET BY TAKING CABLE OFF THEN IT WORKS FINE. I HAVE KIDS AND I DO NOT FEEL VERY SAFE B IN THIS CAR. SOME OF HARD WORKING SINGLE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND 700 HERE AND THERE FROM TRIAL AND ERROR WHEN IT SEEMS A LOT OF MODELS FROM THIS YEAR HAVE THE ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 4, 2015MI

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WHEN INSERTING OUR KEY IN THE IGNITION THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND OUR CAR WONT START FOR 20 PLUS MINS, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS KNOW WITH GM BUT NOT RECALLED IS THERE ANYTHING THAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OR ARE WE JUST STUCK PAYING OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THIS FIXED

Electrical System
Filed May 26, 2015109,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2015OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 15, 2015VT

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM PROGRESSIVE AUTO AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A INSPECT ABLE CAR AND THAT IT SHOULD RUN JUST FINE, I BOUGHT THE CAR FEBRUARY 20TH OF 2015 AND THE INSPECTION WAS DUE ON THE END OF FEBRUARY THAT'S WHEN THEY TOLD ME IT SHOULD INSPECT FINE, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T INSPECT IT SO I GOT THE FENDER RUST FIXED. THEN I TOOK IT TO INTEGRITY AUTO TO SEE IF THEY COULD INSPECT IT BUT THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE THE BOTTOM WAS RUSTED OUT THEN I TOOK IT TO TWO MORE MECHANICS WHO ALSO TOOK ME IT WAS WORTH IT BECAUSE ITS ALL ROTTED THE INTAKE GASKET WENT THE CO2 SENSOR WENT AND THE WATER PUMP WENT AND THE PANELS ARE ALL ROTTED... IT WAS A CAR THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SOLD AND I ENDED UP PAYING OVER $1,000 DOLLARS FOR IT... NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR I RELY ON FOR WORK... *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 8, 2015150,000 milesMO

SOMETIMES WHEN IM DRIVING AND IM TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE AND I GO TO USE MY SIGNAL LIGHT THEY DO NOT WORK THEN I CAN GO DOWN THE ROAD THEY WILL WORK PLUS MY LIGHTS WONT GO ON BRIGHT WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 1, 201530,000 milesFL

WHILE LOADING ITEMS IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL. MY MECHANIC DID A "SMOKE TEST" AND COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. IT HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE SMELL AND A FRIEND HAD THE SAME MODEL CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FINALLY TRADED IT IN. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE FOR RECALLS. THE ONLY THING I FOUND WAS THAT ON SOME CARS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE LINING OF THE GAS TANK AND THE TANK. IT SAID YOU WOULD NEED THE GAS TANK SERIAL NUMBER TO CHECK IF IT WAS ONE OF THE ONES WITH THE PROBLEM. I CHECKED AT THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT $300.00 JUST TO PULL THE GAS TANK TO CHECK FOR THE SERIAL NUMBER.I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE. I JUST KEEP HOPING IT WON'T BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM

Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 2015119,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. UPDATED 4/27/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REMOVED THE BLACK RING HOLDER AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER ON RETURNING THE KEY. THE KEY WAS QUITE FREE WHEN INSERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. LATER, WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST A $1,000. UPDATED 05/07/15*JB

Engine
Filed Feb 26, 201588,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG COOLANT ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR HEAD GASKETS WORE PREMATURELY. THE MOTOR AND THE HEAD GASKET WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 22, 2015197,000 milesOK

I WAS TRAVELING ON A 2 LANE ROAD. A TRUCK PULLING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WAS IN FRONT OF ME TURNED ON HIS RIGHT BLINKER AND BEGAN TO BRAKE TO MAKE THE TURN. I WAS TRAVELING 77 MPH, SO I MOVED TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE (THE LEFT LANE) IN ORDER TO PASS THE TRUCK. AT THE LAST SECOND THE TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE LEFT LANE IN ORDER TO MAKE A WIDE TURN. I ABRUPTLY JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE TRUCK, BUT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AFTER JERKING IT TO THE RIGHT TO GO BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE; MY VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF THE ENCLOSED TRAILER AND THEN HIT STEEP DITCH WHERE MY BACK PASSENGER TIRE POPPED AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF. THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT , TOP AND SIDES OF IT. I REGAINED CONSCIENTIOUSNESS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. BUT I REALIZED THAT THE KEYS WERE NOT I N THE IGNITION.I CRAWLED OUT OF THE PASSENGER WINDOW TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE KEYS WERE LATER FOUND BY MY HUSBAND LOOSE IN THE VEHICLE. I HIT MY HEAD HARD WHEN THE VEHICLE FLIPPED, GOOD DEAL OF BLOOD ON ME FROM WHAT ENDED UP BEING MULTIPLE SUPERFICIAL LACERATIONS AS WELL AS A DEEP WOUND IN MY LEFT KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED 12 STITCHES TO CLOSE UP. I WILL HAVE A SCAR FROM IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I WAS RUSHED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND WAS RELEASED AROUND 9 PM. 2 DAYS LATER

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 10, 2015150,000 milesNC

THERE ARE 3 RECALLS I HAVE FOUND THAT POSSIBLY ARE EFFECTING MY 2003 IMPALA BUT BECAUSE MY SPECIFIC VIN # DOESN'T FALL UNDER ANY OF THESE GM IS REFUSING TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. 1)THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE RESET. APPARENTLY WHEN IT GOES OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES.....AND MY CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT IS ON BUT WON'T ENGAGE. PLUS MY MECHANIC SAYS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE ALSO IS WHAT IS COULD BE CAUSING MY HEATER FAN TO NOT WORK NOR MY INFORMATION DISPLAY TO WORK. BUT LOW AND BEHOLD WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT GOES OFF THEY BOTH WORK 2) THERE IS A RECALL STATING DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD WITH HARD BRAKING AND I SOMETIMES SMELL OIL BURNING AFTER I DRIVE. IF IT WAS MY ACTUAL ENGINE LEAKING OIL I WOULD SMELL IT ALL THE TIME BUT I DON'T IT'S JUST AFTER I DRIVE CERTAIN PLACES THAT ARE VERY CONGESTED AND I BRAKE A LOT 3) THERE IS A FUEL VAPOR LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE CAUSING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. IT THROWS THE CODE STATING I NEED TO POSSIBLE REPLACE THE GAS CAP (WHICH I HAVE DONE) AND ONLY COMES ON AFTER I HAVE PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I'M ALITTLE CONCERNED AND APPLAUD THAT JUST BECAUSE MY VIN # DOESN'T SHOW THESE RECALLS BUT IMPALAS ARE HAVING THESE RECALLS THAT GM WON'T FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2015CT

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED OF AN IGNITION RECALL FIX. *TA THE DEALER MADE THE HOLE IN THE KEY FOB SMALLER, SO NO KEYS COULD BE PLACED ON THE RING. *JB

Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2015115,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR OF OIL EMITTING FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 201557,316 milesMI

THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE GM IGNITION RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE "FIX" AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS SIMPLY ADDING TWO SMALL KEY RINGS TO MY IGNITION KEY AND PUTTING AN INSERT BLANK INTO KEY TO MAKE THE HOLE SMALLER. I WAS TOLD NOT TO ADD ANY OTHER KEYS TO THIS RING. IS THIS THE FIX THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SAVE MY LIFE? WHY AREN'T THE FAULTY IGNITIONS BEING REPLACED? IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO ALLOW THIS TO BE THE SOLUTION TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM? IT SEEMS LIKE WE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE THE LOSERS IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 23, 2015108,000 milesIL

MY 2003 IMPALA HAS A SECURITY PASSLOCK FEATURE WHICH EITHER DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO START OR SHUT VEHICLE OFF WHEN IT THINKS IT'S BEING STOLEN. MY VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN THIS SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, AT THIS POINT I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. THIS IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OS GM VEHICLES THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT BUT GIVE NO SOLUTION OR RECALL TO. INSTEAD, CONSUMERS ARE BEING STUCK FOOTING THE BILL TO TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE. PLEASE HELP HOLD GM RESPONSIBLE AND REPAIR OUR VEHICLES BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR. THERE ARE PAGES OF POSTS IN SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO HELP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 2015200,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 17, 201590,100 milesIL

HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING. NO WARNING. COULD ONLY USE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WHEN LEVER CONSTANTLY PRESSED WHEN DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. NOT FUSES, NOT BULBS, ULTIMATELY $800 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN HAZARD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 2015187,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 23, 2014CT

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD TAKE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED, THEN AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING SUDDENLY. THE ONLY EXPLANATION SEEMED TO BE THE KEY WAS HIT INADVERTENTLY GOING OVER A BUMP, KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION. IN JANUARY 2009, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS BAD. A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED. FEBRUARY 2009, THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY, WHICH REQUIRED CONSTANT BRAKING AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP. IN OCTOBER 2011, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AGAIN. MARCH 2012, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILURE. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. JULY 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND THEN STALL. SEPTEMBER 2014, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 2014141,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 2014IL

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CUSTOMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *MW

Electrical System
Filed Dec 11, 2014MI

KEY IN IGNITION CYLINDER IS ABLE TO BE PULLED OUT WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STAYS RUNNING WITHOUT A KEY IN THE CYLINDER. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR PLASTIC INSERTS ON KEYS BUT NOT FOR KEY CYLINDER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 8, 2014189,000 milesWI

I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA TO HAVE THE REPAIR PREFORMED FOR THE IGNITION RECALL. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF THE NIGHT BEFORE (TUESDAY) AND GOT A PHONE CALL WEDNESDAY TO PICK IT UP. WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AROUND THE LOT TO ME AND LEFT RUNNING. I WENT STRAIGHT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE CAR UNTIL MORNING. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR IN THE MORNING I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. AT 8 AM I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HE STATED THAT I SHOULD BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG. I BROUGHT IT IN WEDNESDAY EVENING AFTER WORK, THURSDAY MORNING I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLING ME THAT THE RECALL HAD NO EFFECT ON MY CAR THAT I NEEDED A NEW TUMBLER NOW. I PICKED THE CAR UP THURSDAY NIGHT AND THE SALES LADY THAT DROVE IT AROUND SAID THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO START THAT SHE HAD TO GET A MECHNIC TO START IT. I FOUND THE GENERAL MANAGER AND ASKED HIM TO REVERSE THE RECALL BY POPPING THE COVER OFF THE KEY. HE DID AND THE CAR STARTED WITH ONLY A SMALL GRIB TROUBLE FROM THE TUMBLER WHICH IS THOUGHT TO BE CAUSED BY THE NUMBER OF FORCED STARTS AFTER THE KEY COVER WAS PLACED ON THE KEY. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COVER FROM THE RECALL WAS PREVENTING MY KEY FROM GOING IN ALL THAT WAY TO THE TUMBLER TO START THE CAR. I AM ASKING THAT THE TUMBLER BE REPLACED AND A NEW SET OF KEYS BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY KEY AND THE RECALL NOT BEING EFFECTIVE WITHOUT DAMAGE TO MY TUMBLER. I AM AWARE THAT MY TUMBLER IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO MY SEC

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 1, 201480,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 78 AT 60 MPH I ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM. ASI DID THAT, I LOST ALL LIGHTS. I JIGGLED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. *JS

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Nov 25, 2014180,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 21, 2014AZ

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE LATE SEPT. WITH INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO CALL FOR APPT BEFORE OCT. 1. CALLED ON OCT.15, WAS TOLD PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. CALLED AGAIN TODAY FOR STATUS UPDATE, WAS TOLD THE WAITING LIST IS ABOUT 1000 VEHICLES AND THEY ARE GETTING ONLY ABOUT 1-2 KITS PER WEEK. NOT EVEN A GUESS AS TO WHEN THEY WILL BE READY FOR MY CAR. ACCORDING TO MEDIA REPORTS GM IS BEGGING OWNERS TO BRING IN THEIR CAR TO GET THEM FIXED AND OFFERING GIFT CARDS, NOT THE CASE HERE IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA. AT THIS RATE WE'RE LOOKING FOR NEXT YEAR MAYBE SUMMER, BY THEN MAYBE THEY HAVE DECIDED TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROBLEM TOO. ITS NOT HUMID EXCEPT DURING THE MONSOON SEASON. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP TO EXPEDITE THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 18, 2014VA

THE CAR RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF AT TIMES WHEN U PUSH THE GAS TO HARD WHILE THE CAR TRYING PICK UP SPEED .THEN I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP PUT THE CAR IN PARK (ALL THIS WHILE IM IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC) AN THEN START IT BACK UP . IM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM MY COUSIN HAVING THE SAME EXACTLY PROBLEM BUT HERS START RIGHT BACK UP LIKE MINE OR SOME TIMES TAKE A LITTLE WHILE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN . SHE ALSO SAID SHE SEEN SOMETHING COME ON TV SAYING SOME ABOUT IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM CONTACT SOMEBODY BUT SHE DIDN'T GET THE NUMBER AN NEVER SAW THE AD ON TV AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 201473,000 milesWA

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED IN SEPT. 2014 REGARDING THE IGNITION IN MY CAR. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED ON 9/29/14. THEY CALLED ME BACK ON 11/10/14 AND SAID THEY'D RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN ON 11/17/14 AND LEFT IT ALL DAY. BACK ON 9/29 I WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO PUT A LOCKING GUARD ON THE IGNITION AND A LOCK ON EACH KEY SO THAT THE KEY WOULDN'T SLIP OUT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID? THEY PUT A SMALL ROUND METAL KEY CHAIN ON EACH OF MY KEYS AND GLUED IT SO THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE HUNG ON IT. THAT'S HOW THEY FIXED THE IGNITION PROBLEM. WHAT A JOKE! I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, LUCKILY. HOWEVER, I DOUBT THAT THIS SO CALLED FIX WOULD DO ANY GOOD IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I HAVE ANY DEALINGS WITH SUNFAIR CHEVROLET IN YAKIMA. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Nov 12, 2014186,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 12/19/14*CN UPDATED 05/26/2015 *JS

Power Train
Filed Nov 12, 2014140,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 7, 2014211,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2014GA

I CALLED GM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD NOT ONE DEATH HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED IF I DID NOT COME IN WOULD I HAVE TO WORRY? THE AGENT SAID "I WOULD BE ACCEPTING THAT RISK". YET, I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RISK IS IF HE SAID NOT ONE DEATH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED TO SCHEDULE A MAINTENANCE FOR THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO CALL BACK TOMORROW AND SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART IN. I ASKED HIM TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND HE REFUSED. HE SAID TO CALL BACK AND SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART...I DON'T UNDERSTAND, IF THERE IS A RECALL WHY CAN'T I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? I ASSUME IF I CALL BACK TOMORROW I WILL CONTINUE GETTING THE "RUN AROUND". THIS APPEARS TO BE DISCOURAGING THE RECALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 30, 2014VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 28, 2014CT

SECURITY LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WITHIN A FEW DAYS CAR WILL NOT START. WHEN TURNING THE KEY IT WILL NOT TURN OVER, BUT THE SECURITY LIGHT IS BLINKING. IN 10 MINUTES, ONCE THE LIGHT STOPS BLINKING, THE CAR WILL START. THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Oct 27, 2014KY

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRAC UNIT REPAIR AND REIMBURSEMENT. * LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY DISCOVERED THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING, AND REPLACED IT. THE CONSUMER DROVE FIVE MILES, AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, AND THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2014IN

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

Electrical System
Filed Oct 23, 2014MO

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL # 14350. * LD THE CONSUMER WAS UNHAPPY WITH GM'S COVER-UP, REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 20, 2014MD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE RECALL SINCE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE IGNITION KEY WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND STATED THAT HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH THE ORIGINAL IGNITION KEY AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 9, 2014133,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2014IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2014143,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE START POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

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 →