2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE TURN SIGNALS OFTEN FAIL TO ACTIVATE, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD. APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM ON THAT TIME PERIOD IMPALAS. SUSPECTED A FAULTY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *TR
2002 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
571 reports with mileage · 224 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 305 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
305 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING IT INTO DRIVE SHE COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND FUSE BOX UNDER THE ENGINE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE SHUTS THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGH BEAMS WILL CONTINUE TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING IT INTO DRIVE SHE COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND FUSE BOX UNDER THE ENGINE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE SHUTS THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGH BEAMS WILL CONTINUE TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITH A FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,050 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,432. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ
BLINKERS WERE INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND NOW NOT WORKING AT ALL. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARDS WORKING. FUSES REPLACED. SEE ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DIAGNOSED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DIAGNOSED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP POTENTIALLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF IT WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,576. UPDATED 10/04/10. *LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. UPDATED 10/05/10
WENT TO WORK AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULDN'T START- THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND GOT A JUMP, WOULDN'T START. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AUTO PLACE, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEN AFTER THAT THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO GET TO WORK ITS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON, AFTER THE …
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WENT TO WORK AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULDN'T START- THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND GOT A JUMP, WOULDN'T START. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AUTO PLACE, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEN AFTER THAT THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO GET TO WORK ITS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON, AFTER THE MANY COMPLAINTS TO CHEVY- THEY WONT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR OF THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM FOR THE SIMPLE REASON ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. ITS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE ITS A MECHANICAL ISSUE. ITS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF AS IF SOMEONE IS STEALING IT. HOW DANGEROUS- ON ROUTE 80 HIGHWAY OR ANY ROAD FOR THAT MATTER, YOUR CAR SHUTS OFF AND YOUR SMASHED FROM BEHIND WITH CARS PILED UP- SOMEONE WILL BE DEAD ANDMANY WILL BE SERIOUS HURT. OR BEING STRANDED ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO CELL RECEPTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM- GM"S RESPONSE' SORRY WE CANT HELP YOU- TODAY TOYOTA RECALLED 412K CARS, BECAUSE OF STEERING ISSUE AND WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN, TOYOTA, AND HONDA DIDN'T NEED BAILOUTS WHY BECAUSE THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS UNLIKE GM- THIS IS A BIG ISSUE WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING AND GM AS USUAL DOES NOTHING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER AGAIN PURCHASE A GM PRODUCT AS ITS A COMPLETE PIECE OF GARBAGE AND THE ONES WORKING FOR GM AREN'T ANY BETTER. LET GM SINK AND GO UNDER, THAT WAY AMERICANS WILL HAVE MORE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND COMPANIES THAT ACTUALLY STAND BEHIND SAFETY ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS. IT AMAZES ME HOW GM CAN TAKE BAILOUTS- TO KEEPTHEM AFLOAT BUT WONT DO ANYTHING TO BACK THEIR VEHICLES, SOONER OR LATER THEY WILL SINK AND THEY WILL ALL BE SITTING THERE DUMBFOUNDED SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS WONDERING OH GEE WHAT HAPPENED, YOU DIDN'T STAND BEHIND YOUR CARS MORON THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED, AND PEOPLE WENT TO MORE RELIABLE COMPANIES. 13K FOR A 2002 IMPALA LS, GUESS ITS TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE JUNK YARD VERY UNSAFE AND NO PEACE OF MIND TO DRIVE THE GARBAGE. *TR
ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA, THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE DOESN'T WORK AND CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN ALL DAY AND SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. HAD TO REPLACE COMPUTER MODULE JUST SO THAT COMMUNICATION COULD BE STARTED. AND HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
THE STARTER WILL NOT GET A SIGNAL FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE CHANGED RELAYS, IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER, KEY CORE AND PASSLOCK, ALL TO NO GAIN. GAVE VEHICLE TO THEY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO CHANGED TO BCM AND REPROGRAMMED THE SECURITY FEATURE AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP, IT WOULDN'T START. THE STARTER…
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THE STARTER WILL NOT GET A SIGNAL FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE CHANGED RELAYS, IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER, KEY CORE AND PASSLOCK, ALL TO NO GAIN. GAVE VEHICLE TO THEY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO CHANGED TO BCM AND REPROGRAMMED THE SECURITY FEATURE AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP, IT WOULDN'T START. THE STARTER GETS NO SIGNAL ABOUT 90% OF THE TIMES I TURN THE KEY. FOR THE 10% IT DOES WORK, THERE SEEMS TO HAVE HAD NO ISSUE WHAT SO EVER. IT TURNS ON SMOOTH AND RUNS LIKE A DREAM. YET IT CAN BE THE FIRST ATTEMPT OR THE 50TH BEFORE THE STARTER CATCHES A JOLT AND STARTS THE CAR, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PATTERN. THE SECURITY SYSTEM WORKS FINE B/C WE INSTALLED A SIMPLE PUSH BUTTON SWITCH TO THE STARTER AND IT WORKED EVERY TIME WITH NO TROUBLE FOR A FEW MOMENTS TILL THE GAS WAS TAKEN AWAY AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. BYPASSING THE SECURITY FEATURE AND ALLOWING A SECONDARY IGNITION METHOS WOULD SEEM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL OF BEING STUCK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION IF THE CARS HAPPENS TO STALL. OR IF AN INFANT WAS LOADED INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START FOR 15 TO 30 MINUTES, LEAVING THE CHILD WITH THE RISK OF HEAT ISSUES. THE PROBLEM ITSELF CAME SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
MY 2002 IMPALA WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. THE MESSAGE CENTER FLASHES SECURITY, BATTERY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON. I HAVE TO UNHOOK AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO START. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT ALONE, AS I LIVE IN A BIG CITY AND DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING AND THE CAR MALFUNCTION. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HA…
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MY 2002 IMPALA WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. THE MESSAGE CENTER FLASHES SECURITY, BATTERY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON. I HAVE TO UNHOOK AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO START. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT ALONE, AS I LIVE IN A BIG CITY AND DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING AND THE CAR MALFUNCTION. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH 2002 IMPALAS. I HAVE ASTHMA AND ONE DAY I STARTED TO HAVE AN ATTACK. HUSBAND WAS GOING TO DRIVE ME TO HOSPITAL AND MY CAR DECIDES NOT TO START. I COULD HAVE DIED WAITING FOR HIM TO RECONNECT THE BATTERY. I PAID GM FOR A RELIABLE CAR BUT GOT A CAR THAT WILL START ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TO. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT'S MESSED UP THAT I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF IT NOT STARTING AND BEING MUGGED OR RAPED WHILE TRYING TO UNHOOK/REHOOK THE BATTERY. GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THEY DON'T WANT TO THOUGH BECAUSE THEY MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY FIXING SOMETHING THAT THEY SCREWED UP. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM AGAIN. TOYOTA AND HONDA FROM HERE ON OUT!!! *TR
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CAR BEHAVES AS THOUGH THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MY OWN RESEARCH SEEMED TO INDICATE A FAULTY BCM MODULE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER AND EXPLAINED MY SUSPICION AND THE ODD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIND A WIRING PROBLEM. …
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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CAR BEHAVES AS THOUGH THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MY OWN RESEARCH SEEMED TO INDICATE A FAULTY BCM MODULE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER AND EXPLAINED MY SUSPICION AND THE ODD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIND A WIRING PROBLEM. AFTER 2 WEEKS THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND CHARGED ME $700. NOW, A FEW WEEKS LATER ALL SYMPTOMS ARE BACK. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON, THE LIGHTS FLASH, TRUCK LATCH OPENS AND CLOSES, AND SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. THIS IS JUST 1 SET OF SYMPTOMS. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS. I FOUND THIS SITE WHILE LOOKING FOR HELP HERE: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GR-O5R1UPFY&FEATURE=RELATED . PLEASE HELP! *TR
PASS KEY SENSOR, I HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLARS TO FIX AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS PERFECTLY FINE BUT A BAD SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, MANY COMPLAINTS BUT STILL NO RECALL. *TR
Official recalls
415V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Oct 26, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Apr 8, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE06017 · Alleged Headlight Failure
Opened May 15, 2006 · Closed Oct 25, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Exterior Lighting
A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
A TOTAL OF 646,038 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD DURING MY 2001-2003, AND THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA TABULATED ABOVE APPLY TO THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION.COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGING HEADLIGHT OUTAGE REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE BALANCE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF FLICKERING AND DIMMING.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION TO BE WEAR OF A CONTACT PLUNGER IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY OPEN CIRCUIT, WITH THE PLUNGER IN A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN HIGH- AND LOW-BEAM CONTACT POINTS.CONSUMERS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED THAT MANIPULATION OF THE SWITCH HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN RESTORES EITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FUNCTION.NO OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, E.G., FIRES OR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE SUBJECT HEADLIGHT ISSUES FROM FAILURE AND WARRANTY REPORTS, AND ISSUED A REDESIGNED PLUNGER IN 2003. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL AND REMEDY.ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RATES OF OCCURRENCE, THE FAILURE MODE AND THE REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR INVESTIGATIONS FAIL TO IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
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