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2002 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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.

37 crash reports32 fire reports27 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

305 reports
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77,000 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND USING THE "HIGH BEAMS," THEY GO OUT AFTER AWHILE. NEARLY CRASHED UNTIL I COULD SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO SAFELY STOP! BY MOVING HIGH/LOW BEAM LEVER, I WAS ABLE TO GET HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON IN THE LOW BEAM POSITION. IN CHECKING NHTSA WEB SITE, FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF BUT EXPE…

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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND USING THE "HIGH BEAMS," THEY GO OUT AFTER AWHILE. NEARLY CRASHED UNTIL I COULD SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO SAFELY STOP! BY MOVING HIGH/LOW BEAM LEVER, I WAS ABLE TO GET HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON IN THE LOW BEAM POSITION. IN CHECKING NHTSA WEB SITE, FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF BUT EXPECTS OWNERS TO PAY FOR REPAIR OF POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247208

32,301 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RADIO DISPLAYED "LOCKED" AND HE COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS NOR THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER STATED THAT HE OWNED T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RADIO DISPLAYED "LOCKED" AND HE COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS NOR THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER STATED THAT HE OWNED THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT AND REPAIRED IT AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $1,400. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE KEY SWITCH AT THE COST OF $492.13 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,301 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,328. UPDATED 020209 *BF THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE REPLACED AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. UPDATED 02/20/09. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $300.00. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, IT MADE STRANGE NOISES AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO BREAK. UPDATED 0423/10.*JB UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10243526

133,000 miles · Sep 19, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE LOSES TOTAL POWER. SHE HAS TO DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THEN RECONNECT THE CABLE. AFTER SHE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE LOSES TOTAL POWER. SHE HAS TO DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THEN RECONNECT THE CABLE. AFTER SHE WAITS FOR IT RECHARGE ITSELF, THE VEHICLE WILL START IMMEDIATELY OR TWO HOURS LATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $445. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. *UPDATED 10/20/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10242933

65,000 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Electrical System

1. CASUAL USE OF VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY VARIABLE LEADING UP TO THE DISPLAY OF THE SECURITY MESSAGE AND THE CAR NOT STARTING. 2. MY RESEARCH SUGGEST THE ETIOLOGY OF THE PROBLEM (CAR NOT STARTING AND SECURITY MESSAGE DISPLAY) MAY BE A MALFUNCTION OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, BUT FAILURE CAN STILL OCCUR ONCE PASSLOCK IS REPL…

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1. CASUAL USE OF VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY VARIABLE LEADING UP TO THE DISPLAY OF THE SECURITY MESSAGE AND THE CAR NOT STARTING. 2. MY RESEARCH SUGGEST THE ETIOLOGY OF THE PROBLEM (CAR NOT STARTING AND SECURITY MESSAGE DISPLAY) MAY BE A MALFUNCTION OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, BUT FAILURE CAN STILL OCCUR ONCE PASSLOCK IS REPLACED. THE CAR FAILS TO START ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A THREE MONTH PERIOD OVER THE SUMMER OF 2008 DURING WHICH THE CAR'S BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY A GM DEALER. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CAR FAILING TO START INCLUDE THE DRIVER MISSING WORK, BEING LATE TO WORK, BEING STRANDED IN 90 DEGREE HEAT AND IN SECLUDED AREAS. 3. A BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE SECURITY MESSAGE/PASSLOCK ISSUE AS WELL AS AN OTHER ISSUE (CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE). APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. ***WHILE NO INJURIES HAVE YET OCCURRED, THE CAR NOT STARTING CAN LEAVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS VULNERABLE TO THE ELEMENTS AND VICTIMIZE (ROBBERY, ASSAULT, RAPE, AND MURDER). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242122

45,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START HIS VEHICLE WHILE THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,00…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START HIS VEHICLE WHILE THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241755

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2008
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK SEEMS TO BE FAILING ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA..74,000 MILES. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS, AND I HAVE TO WAIT 10-20 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN START IT AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE MARCH 2008. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237888

5,000 miles · Aug 9, 2008
Electrical System

ON MANY OCCASIONS, CAR WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES TO BE FIXED. LOTS OF MONEY SPENT AND NO RESOLUTION. LEAVES MY ELDERLY PARENTS STRANDED AND COULD RESULT IN MAJOR ISSUE IF IN THE WRONG PLACE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - GM I…

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ON MANY OCCASIONS, CAR WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES TO BE FIXED. LOTS OF MONEY SPENT AND NO RESOLUTION. LEAVES MY ELDERLY PARENTS STRANDED AND COULD RESULT IN MAJOR ISSUE IF IN THE WRONG PLACE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - GM IS NOT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237525

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR WOULD NOT START CHANGED PASSLOCK AND STILL WILL NOT START. SECURITY LIGHT IS ON, RADIO IS LOCKED AND THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, THEY ARE GUESSING THAT IS THE BCM AND THE SDM BUT THEY CANNOT PROMISE THAT IT WILL WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237416

64,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Electrical System

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS - SECURITY/PASSLOCK SYSTEM PROBLEM - SUMMER 2007 - TOOK IN TO CHEVROLET DEALER (SINCE OUT OF BUSINESS - PALM BAY CHEVROLET IN FLORIDA) BECAUSE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON AT TIMES, EVENTUALLY DISABLING CAR FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. FIRST REPAIR, BCM REPLACED - SAME ISSUE TWO MONTHS LATER - IGNITION CY…

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2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS - SECURITY/PASSLOCK SYSTEM PROBLEM - SUMMER 2007 - TOOK IN TO CHEVROLET DEALER (SINCE OUT OF BUSINESS - PALM BAY CHEVROLET IN FLORIDA) BECAUSE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON AT TIMES, EVENTUALLY DISABLING CAR FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. FIRST REPAIR, BCM REPLACED - SAME ISSUE TWO MONTHS LATER - IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED - TWO MONTHS LATER, SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN. DEALERSHIP OUT OF BUSINESS THAT DID TWO ORIGINAL REPAIRS FOR 1200.00 - TODAY, SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND CAR WOULD NOT START. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH IMPALAS FROM 2000 - 2005 - WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236512

76,000 miles · Jul 27, 2008
Electrical System

INITIALLY STARTED WITH THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER. FULL BATTERY POWER, PUT CAR IN N TO START, NOTHING. PUT CAR IN EMERGENCY PARK TO START AND IT DID. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, WITH NO WARNING. NOW THE CAR STARTS EVERY TIME. THE PROBLEM NOW IS INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH LIKE STROBE LIGHTS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR …

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INITIALLY STARTED WITH THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER. FULL BATTERY POWER, PUT CAR IN N TO START, NOTHING. PUT CAR IN EMERGENCY PARK TO START AND IT DID. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, WITH NO WARNING. NOW THE CAR STARTS EVERY TIME. THE PROBLEM NOW IS INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH LIKE STROBE LIGHTS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR TILL THE TIME I TURN IT OFF, SO I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT PASS LOCK ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND WILL BLOW HOT AIR. A CONSTANT CLICKING FROM THE RELAYS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. WHY IS IT MANY GM DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THIS WHEN CONSUMERS HAVE BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR ASSESSMENT. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR MORE OF THE SAME ISSUE. FELLOW IMPALA OWNERS; LETS FILE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAIN GM TO GET THIS RESOLVED. BUT SADLY IT WILL TAKE ONE DEATH OR MORE FOR ANY ACTION FROM GM. "THE AMERICAN WAY IS LETS DO SOMETHING AFTER THE FACT AND NOT BE PROACTIVE TO PREVENT". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235935

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S 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

2

PE06017 · 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.