2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA, TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN UNIT UNIT 1 ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0911-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
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 →
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE, PERIODICALLY NOT RUNNING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED ON THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY TYPE OF NOISE, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND SECURITY LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE, IT WOULD THEN START. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL INJECTOR PRESSURE REGULATOR ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM TIME TO TIME WITH NO REGULAR SCHEDULE. I AM AFRAID THAT AT SOME TIME A FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THIS LEAKAGE. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AT START UP AND THEN AT OTHER TIMES FOR REASON AT ALL. IT IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE. WHEN I DETECT THE SMELL,I STOP AND PUSH DOWN ON THE HOSE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND IT SEEMS TO STOP THE SMELL AND THE LEAK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DOOR LOCKS, TURN SIGNALS AND ANYTHING ELECTRICAL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL. THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE HEAT WOULD ALSO STOP WORKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91000.
THE TRACTION CONTROL IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGING EVEN UNDER IDEAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. IT ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. ONCE ENGAGED DURING PULLING ONTO A ROAD AND DUE TO HOLDING CAR BACK (NO TRACTION) ALMOST HAD A COLLISION. ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A NOISE IS HEARD AND A SLIGHT PUSH BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL OCCURS. NOISE IS POSSIBLY FROM THE ABS. SINCE THE TWO (TC AND ABS) ARE LINKED IT COULD BE DISRUPTING ONE OR THE OTHER. I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. WROTE A LETTER TO GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. ALSO NO KNOWN ROOT CAUSE OR EASY FIX AND CUST HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS TO FIX ISSUE AT DEALER YET ISSUE REMAINS. THIS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED AND RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,262. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 05/31/11
PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE TRANS - WASN'T SHIFTING RIGHT, HARD SHIFT. TOOK IT TO ROTOLO CHEVY IN FONTANA, CA. DX: CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEARLY $800 TO GET NEW ONE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANNY DISINTEGRATED. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD SHIFTING DIFFICULTIES - TOOK IT BACK A WEEK LATER TO BE TOLD IT HAS A "SMART ADAPT" IN TRANS AND NEEDED APPROX 1000 MILES TO SYNC ITSELF, NOW THE CAR SPUTTERS, HAS A MISFIRE CODE IN CYLINDER 2, TRANS CODE. HARD STARTS, RANDOMLY STALLS WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS SURGE WHEN AT AN IDLE, CAR CONSTANTLY FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL - IT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOU NAUSEAS WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SURGING OF THE CAR. THIS MORNING THE CAR JUST STALLED WHEN I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. ALL PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND COIL PACK FOR CYLINDER 2 HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO CORRECTION TO HOW THE CAR RUNS. SOUNDS AND FEELS WORSE WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, BUT SMOOTHES OUT SOME WHEN IN DRIVE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH BAR REGARDING CAT REPLACEMENT, RECOMMENDED REFUND TO DEALER FOR UNNECESSARY ITEM - DEALER REFUSES TO GIVE MONEY BACK. TOLD ME CAR WOULD NEVER RUN RIGHT AFTER THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE I REFUSED TO HAVE THEM CHANGE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE CAR HAS NOT RUN RIGHT SINCE, BUT A SECOND OPINION FOUND THAT THE MOUNTS WERE OK - RECOMMENDED THAT ONE OF THE BACK MOUNTS BE REPLACED AS IT WAS MORE WORN THAN THE OTHERS. *TR
I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT GM PUTS IN THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR YEAR AND HALF, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM UP TO AUG 28 2010. NOW ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS IT WONT START. THE CAR FOR NO REASON WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT STALL OUT THEN AFTER OTHER TRY IT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 4 TO 7DAYS. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET READING LOT ABOUT THE CHEVY DEALERS HAVEN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 IMPALA. NOTHING I DO SEEMS TO HELP THEM COME BACK ON. I HAVE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO MANUALLY TURN THEM ON, I HAVE TURNED OFF MY CAR AND RESTARTED, I HAVE HIT THE SWITCH TO GO FROM BRIGHT TO DIM. NOTHING HAS HELPED. THEY EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MAYBE THREE TIMES SO FAR. I HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHEN THIS STARTED BUT SINCE YOU ARE MAKING ME PICK A DATE I DID. IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN MORE BUT I QUIT DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT FOR THE FEAR OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN! HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE FIXED SINCE I AM MARRIED TO A MECHANIC. HOWEVER HE HAS YET TO BOTHER TRYING TO FIX IT OR SEE WHAT COULD BE WRONG EITHER. *TR
REAR DEFOGGER FAILURE- DOESN'T WORK. *TR
FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER BLOWS ONLY COLD OR HOT AIR- IE GETS STUCK IN ONE OR THE OTHER POSITION. *TR
2003 CHEVY IMPALA BRAKES FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOUR TIMES SINCE 11/17. I AM EXPERIENCING THIS EVERYTIME WHEN I DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE 11/17. HERE ARE THE STEPS TO CREATE THE PROBLEM. 1. SHIFT TO PARK (P) AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. (LET IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES) 2. START THE ENGINE 3. SHIFT TO REVERSE (R) AND BACK MY CAR FOR AROUND 10 - 15 FEET (A COUPLE OF CLICK SOUNDS COME OUT UNDER THE HOOD WHEN CAR STARTS MOVING) 4. SHIFT TO DRIVE (D) START SLOWLY AND APPLY BRAKE. 5. AT THIS POINT THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW A BIT BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALREADY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. 6. RE-APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN ASAP. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE EVER REPORTED THIS BEFORE. SINCE THIS IS A SEVER SAFETY ISSUE, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME BACK ON AFTER HIGH BEAMS WERE USED ON A BACK ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND SPARK PLUGS AND THEY WERE NOT THE ISSUE. BELIEVE IT IS A FAULTY SWITCH AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH. *TR
MY 03 IMPALA SOME TIMES WON'T START. I HAVE ALREADY GOT IT FIXED FROM DEALER AND AS SOON AS IT RAN OUT OF WARRANTY, IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FIXED 6 MONTHS EARLIER BY THE DEALER. GM WON'T HELP AND I AM STUCK SOME TIMES, WITH THE CAR BEING LEFT ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES IN SHOPPING MALLS. NEED SOME HELP FROM GM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE SPEED RATE WAS REDUCED AND THE HI-BEAMS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 01/28/11*LJ THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/23/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE HEADLIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE UP A HILL BUT THEN TURNED OFF AGAIN WHEN A TURN WAS MADE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,148.
CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 AFTER RUNNING OVER A POTHOLE FEB. 2009, A CLICKING SOUND WAS IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED WITH EACH REVOLUTION OF THE WHEEL. TOOK IT TO A PEP BOYS FOR INSPECTION. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG AFTER VISUAL AND DRIVE INSPECTION. STILL CONTINUED TO HEAR CLICKING SOUND. ON OCT. 6, WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND TURNING WHEEL TO LEFT, A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND WAS MADE. STOPPED CAR, GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHETHER OR NOT ANYTHING WAS ON GROUND, ETC. NOTHING WAS THERE. SOUND CONTINUED UNTIL CHANGING GEAR TO DRIVE. OCT. 12, 2010 TURNED WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT WHILE IN DRIVE AND A VERY LOUD CLICKING- THEN BUMPING NOISE WAS MADE. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO BREAK OR SOMETHING IF I CONTINUED TURNING. I WAS SIX BLOCKS FROM HOME, SO DROVE SLOWLY AND VERY SLOWLY FOR THE NEXT 2 LEFT TURNS IN WHICH ON THE 2ND LEFT TURN THE BUMPING SOUND HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAS FRIGHTENED ME SO THAT I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR. PLAN TO TAKE TO A MECHANIC BUT WITH ASSISTANCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD ALSO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT COULD ONLY MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR HIMSELF BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT FILLING OUT THIS FORM BECAUSE IT IS A WASTE OF TIME. I FILLED A COMPLAINT ON MARCH 2010 AND STILL NO RESPONSE, I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ENGINEER HAS FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA PASS-LOCK SYSTEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 90,000 MILES. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS NOT GENERATING ANY ERROR CODES. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT TWICE DUE TO SHUTTING OFF DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE STALLING OR SHUTTING OFF STARTS AFTER THE TEMPERATURE REACHES APPROXIMATELY 125 DEGREES F AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY. WHEN I AM OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE STALLING IS MORE NOTICEABLE DUE TO THE ENGINE LOAD. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION MODULE WHICH HAS NOT CORRECTED THE STALLING AND SHUTTING DOWN. *TR
2003 CHEVY IMPALA 3.8 ENGINE. I HAVE HAD RECURRING, INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKING IN WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP IN DRY WEATHER AND DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. NOT AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR IT TO KICK IN. THEN IT RELEASES. I HAVE HAD THE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T FLASH A CODE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL BE UNSAFE IF THE TRACTION CONTROL OPERATES AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. *TR
MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. *TR
WE ARE DEALING WITH A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH/ SECURITY SYSTEM ON OUR CAR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. THIS ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT SIX MONTHS BACK AND IS DEFINITELY WORSENING. WE ARE EXPERIENCING WAIT TIMES OF ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO CLEAR THE SECURITY SYSTEM BEFORE WE CAN START THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WILL EVENTUALLY END UP COMPLETELY FAILING SOON. NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TO FAIL AND WE CANNOT JUDGE SPEED AT NIGHT WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT. I JUDGE THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE OFTEN HAS TO DEPEND ON THE CAR AT NIGHTS AND ALONE. *TR
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS NEED REPLACED. I ONLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR THAT IS A 2003 IMPALA LS WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINE. ALSO, COOLANT HOSE SEAL IS LEAKING COOLANT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. I STOP BY MY HOUSE, BUT WHEN I GET BACK INTO THE CAR THE CAR WON'T START. TEN MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM. *TR
2000-2004 CHEVY IMPALA ABS/TRAC CONTROL ISSUES AFFECTING BRAKING UNDER WET CONDITIONS AND LOW SPEED. COMPLAINTS AT TOPIX .NET. *TR
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY. IMPALA AND LAST YEAR THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING IN MA DASH,SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. THIS INCIDENT TURNED TO A MAJOR PROBLEM, IT HAS MADE ME LATE TO APPOINTMENTS,LEFT MY KIDS AND I STRANDED AND IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF, I DON NOT WANT TO INVEST MORE MONEY THEN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY WORTH. *TR
WHILE DRIVING WE HIT ANOTHER CAR ON ITS SIDE I WONT GET IN TO BIG DETAILS BUT THE OTHER CARS AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND NOT OURS, WHY DIDN'T THEY GO OFF AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF BUYING A CAR THAT WOULD "SAVE OR LIVES" IF THE MAIN THING WE PAID FOR DID NOT WORK? THE ACCIDENT WAS AT ABOUT 10-20 MPH. THE CAR HYDROPLANED IN TO THE OTHER WE HAD A FULL CAR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WEIGH MORE THAN 160LBS EACH. I HAVE SOME PHYSICAL PAIN, INCLUDING BECK AND BACK SPRAIN. *TR
MY HIGH BEAM SWITCH DOESN'T WORK IN MY IMPALA. MY CAR IS EITHER AN 02 OR 03 AND, AFTER LOOKING THIS UP ONLINE, IM SEEING THAT THERE ARE A TON OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS IS VERY OBVIOUSLY AN ENGINEERING OR NEGLIGENCE ISSUE WITH THE COMPANY. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, ON OCCASION, IF I SWITCH MY LOW/HIGH BEAMS, THE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT GO COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE TO SWITCH THEM ON AND OFF AGAIN, MAYBE A FEW TIMES, TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT COULD TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON. *TR
THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. FROM A STOP POSITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD, THEN TEMPORARILY LOSE MOMENTUM RENDERING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED TO THE BRAKES AND THE HUB ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED; THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. AFTER ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE SOURCE OF THIS PROBLEM, THE ISSUE REMAINS UNSOLVED AND POSES A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. DUE TO THIS UNSAFE MALFUNCTION, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL NEAR FRONT, REAR AND SIDE COLLISIONS WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 74000 MILES ---------------------------------------------------------------- THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES THEN GOES OFF. BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. HOW CAN I RESET THIS OR WHAT TO NOT HAVE A TRIP TO THE EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, NO DELAYS OR BRAKE HESITATION WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN USE. HELP ME OUT WITH A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
03 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT COME ON. WAS JUST IN FOR OIL CHANGE, LIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS ON. DRIVE INTO WORK, CAR IS FLAWLESS. DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND THERE IS A NOISE IN THE GLOVE BOX OF A TICK TICK TICK. STOP AT GARAGE AND THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS NO CODES APPEAR. HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE INTERIOR FUSE WHEN I PARK SO THAT BATTERY IS NOT DRAINED, SHOP SAYS I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BCM. CAR HANDLES WELL, BUT WHY AM I READING ABOUT ALL OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER GM CUSTOMERS OF IMPALA'S BETWEEN 2000-2005? RECALL? *TR
2003 CHEVY IMPALA WILL NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS A BCM PROBLEM. THE REMOTE INSTALLED ON THE CAR FOB DOES NOT WORK AND HAS NEVER WORKED. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AND THE TRUNK WILL SPRING OPEN WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE THE DOORS AND TRUNK DO NOT LOCK, THERE IS NO SECURITY ON THIS VEHICLE. AND AGAIN THE CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START. AT FIRST IT DID NOT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY, IF I WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. I AM TOLD IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
2003 CHEVORLET IMPALA WILL NOT START DUE TO PROBLEM WITH PASSLOCK SENSOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER. THE MANUFACTURER SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THIS AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE SEEMS TO A LIABILITY ISSUE IF SOMEONE IS STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS ITEM AND GETS KILLED OR RAPED. *TR
BOUGHT A 2003 IMPALA IN 2004 AND IT RAN OK FOR A WHILE. THE CAR NOW FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY AND I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES OR MORE FOR THE CAR TO START. THE DEALER STATES THAT IS A SECURITY ALARM PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GM CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
DURING AN INSPECTION OF MY 2003 IMPALA, MECHANIC ADVISED OF A COOLANT LEAK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (A VERY COMMON DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL / YEAR) AND IT WOULD COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR IT AND ALL CARS OF THIS MODEL / YEAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR. *TR
MY 2003 IMPALA WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT START. HAD BATTER, ALT AND GENERATOR CHECKED ALL OK. AFTER SITTING ABOUT 10 MINUTES CAR STARTS FINE. SEEMS IT'S THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO GM. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE. *TR
2003 IMPALA NOT STARTING. LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR HOURS TILL IT DECIDES TO START. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE FOR ENDLESS HOURS. TO SEE ITS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP PAY 180.00 TO BE TOLD ITS WAS IN THE THEFT DETERRENT SETTING. TO GET HOME AND A HOUR LATER IT WONT START.. CHEVY NEEDS TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THIS ISSUE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I CAN READ ON LINE DAILY. *TR
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO START WHEN THE KEY IS ENGAGED, HAPPENS AT RANDOM BUT OFTEN INCONVENIENT TIMES. AFTER TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES WILL USUALLY START. *TR
I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA LS. ON MY WAY HOME I TURN ON MY BRIGHTS AND WHEN I WENT TO SHUT THEM OFF IT TURNED ALL MY LIGHTS OFF AND THEY WONT COME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS WILL ONLY COME ON WHEN IN THE BRIGHTS POSITION AND WILL STILL SHUT OFF OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMMENT BY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN THE 15 MIN I'VE BEEN ONLINE SEARCHING THIS BEFORE I STUMBLED ONTO THIS WEBSITE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SEEING AS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND YOUR LIGHTS JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY IF NOT ALREADY! *TR
SECURITY LIGHT BLINKING CAR WILL NOT START. HAD FIXED AT GM DEALERSHIP FOR $559.00 PICKED IT UP 3 DAYS AGO IT JUST DID THE SAME THING TONIGHT. *TR
VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START HOWEVER AFTER 10 MINUTES WOULD START. HIGH BEAM OUT INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE BUT AT THE SAME TIME BOTH HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE STUCK ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS NO PROBLEM FOUND. REPLACED, BCM OK FOR A WEEK PROBLEM RETURNED. DEALERSHIP STUMPED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OVERHEAT AND LEAK ANTIFREEZE. WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, THE CONTACT WOULD MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE INTAKE AND MANIFOLD GASKETS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 157,000.
I NOTICED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THAT MY TEMPERATURE INDICATOR STARTED TO INCH ITS WAY OVER TO HOT, NEVER REACHING THE MARK. I TOLD MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID I PROBABLY NEED A FLUSH AND NEW COOLANT. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND I HAD A LEAKING INTAKE GASKET AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. VERY EXPENSIVE! HAD OIL IN THE RADIATOR WITH HARDLY ANY LIQUID LEFT. I STARTED TO READ ABOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THERE WERE SEVERAL SO DECIDED TO REPORT THIS SO OTHERS WILL KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE. *TR
I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA, V6 2.4 L, TO A JIFFYLUBE FOR A STANDARD OIL CHANGE. THERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A COOLANT LEAK, AND THEY TOPPED-OFF MY ANTIFREEZE FOR ONLY $4.00. SINCE REPAIRS AREN'T AFFORDABLE AT THE MOMENT, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY IMPALA TO SCHOOL AND WORK ONLY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO CLASS EARLY ONE AFTERNOON, ABOUT A WEEK AFTER MY OIL CHANGE AND MY ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING AND ENGINE COOLANT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM MY HOME AND HAD A FRIEND RUN SOME ANTIFREEZE AND WATER TO MY BREAK-DOWN LOCATION. I PUT ENOUGH ANTIFREEZE AND WATER INTO THE RADIATOR TO GET ME HOME, WHERE MY CAR WILL SIT UNTIL REPAIRED. IT IS TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL 2003 V6 2.4 L IMPALAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IF THAT IS THE CASE, WHY HASN'T GM RECALLED THIS VEHICLE FOR PROPER REPAIRS? AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FROM A STRUGGLING AMERICAN THAT LIVES IN A REGION OF THE COUNTRY WHERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS OBSOLETE AND A MOTORIZED VEHICLE IS A NECESSITY. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START THEN WILL START 10 MINUTES LATER, OR WHILE YOUR RIDING DOWN THE ROAD ALL THE LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. *TR
THE TRACTION CONTROL IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGING EVEN UNDER IDEAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. IT ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A NOISE IS HEARD AND A SLIGHT PUSH BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL OCCURS. NOISE IS POSSIBLY FROM THE ABS. SINCE THE TWO (TC AND ABS) ARE LINKED IT COULD BE DISRUPTING ONE OR THE OTHER. I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I PERSONALLY HAVE DISCONNECTED AND CLEANED THE CONNECTIONS BEHIND THE WHEELS AS MENTIONED BY OTHERS. THAT WORKED FOR A MONTH OR SO WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS TO NO AVAIL. *TR
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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 →