IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF, INTERMITTENTLY. THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER CHANGING FROM HIGH TO LOW A FEW TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM
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
590–25K
9725–50K
10950–75K
10775–100K
130100–150K
69150K+
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
123 reportsPURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA USED AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, IN LESS THAN 8 MONTHS I HAVE COME ACROSS TWO PROBLEMS. ONE, THE TURN SIGNAL STARTS ACTING UP AND AFFECTS THE SYSTEM AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ($400.00) AND THE SECOND, I NOTICED I HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADD COOLANT/WATER TO THE RADIATOR BUT COULD NO…
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PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA USED AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, IN LESS THAN 8 MONTHS I HAVE COME ACROSS TWO PROBLEMS. ONE, THE TURN SIGNAL STARTS ACTING UP AND AFFECTS THE SYSTEM AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ($400.00) AND THE SECOND, I NOTICED I HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADD COOLANT/WATER TO THE RADIATOR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS, THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND THE COST IS ($1000). AS I AM DOING MY RESEARCH TO FIND A MORE REASONABLE COST TO WHICH I CAN ACCOMMODATE, I FIND THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE TOO COMMON IN THE VERSION OF THE MOTORS/STYLE OF VEHICLES. SO FAR, THAT EVEN TWO OF THE SHOPS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR AN ESTIMATE HAVE SAID THEY ARE SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER INTAKE PROBLEM. WHERE CAN I TURN TO, TO TRY TO GET HELP AND MAKE SURE THESE MANUFACTURERS TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUES THAT ARE VERY COSTLY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IN LESS THAN 3 TO 4 YEARS, THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR THEM. THANK YOU!! *NM
THE HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2002 IMPALA WILL GO OUT ON THEIR OWN. YOU CAN GET THEM BACK ON BY QUICKLY OPERATING THE HIGH/LOW BEAM ARM. WHEN OPERATING AT NIGHT YOU DON'T DARE TRY TO SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM OR THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THIS IS A VERY,VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR IMPALA OWNERS BUT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL …
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2002 IMPALA WILL GO OUT ON THEIR OWN. YOU CAN GET THEM BACK ON BY QUICKLY OPERATING THE HIGH/LOW BEAM ARM. WHEN OPERATING AT NIGHT YOU DON'T DARE TRY TO SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM OR THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THIS IS A VERY,VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR IMPALA OWNERS BUT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE REPAIR WILL LIKELY BE EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG .WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?ALSO THE TURNING SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. TO GET THIS WORKING ONCE IT HAS STOPPED YOU MUST TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT CONTINUALLY UNTIL IT WORKS AGAIN. *JB
TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. *JB
DEFECTIVE EXTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH) ON 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THIS LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES DEFECTIVE WITHOUT WARNING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT MODELS COME EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WHICH COME ON AT DUSK (OR IN DARKENED CONDITIONS) HOWEVER THIS DEFECT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT THIS AUTOMATIC…
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DEFECTIVE EXTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH) ON 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THIS LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES DEFECTIVE WITHOUT WARNING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT MODELS COME EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WHICH COME ON AT DUSK (OR IN DARKENED CONDITIONS) HOWEVER THIS DEFECT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT THIS AUTOMATIC FUNCTION HAS FAILED AND THE MANUAL LIGHT SWITCH IS ALSO DISABLED BY THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
(1) AT FIRST, THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK SOMETIMES. AND IT WOULD BE OKAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. BUT AFTER THAT, THE PROBLEM WAS MORE SERIOUS. 2)TURN SIGNAL FAILURE WHEN DRIVING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I CAN NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WILL BE TURNING WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. (3) NOT YET DONE. THE REPLAC…
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(1) AT FIRST, THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK SOMETIMES. AND IT WOULD BE OKAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. BUT AFTER THAT, THE PROBLEM WAS MORE SERIOUS. 2)TURN SIGNAL FAILURE WHEN DRIVING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I CAN NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WILL BE TURNING WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. (3) NOT YET DONE. THE REPLACEMENT OF HAZARD SWITCH SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 6/16/2006 - WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE USED THE DASH LIGHTS WENT DARK. *NM
1-28-06, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA WENT OUT. WE FLASHED THE DIMMER/BRIGHT SWITCH AND THEY CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES OVER THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A WIRING PROBLEM. THEN IN LATE APRIL, MY CAR JUST QUITE RUNNING, WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT STARTED BACK UP, BUT IT THEN…
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1-28-06, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA WENT OUT. WE FLASHED THE DIMMER/BRIGHT SWITCH AND THEY CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES OVER THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A WIRING PROBLEM. THEN IN LATE APRIL, MY CAR JUST QUITE RUNNING, WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT STARTED BACK UP, BUT IT THEN WAS OUR CUE TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, MAY, 2006, SINCE IT IS DAYLIGHT FOR MORE HOURS OF THE DAY, WE DON'T DRIVE A LOT AT NIGHT SO I HAVEN'T NOTICED IT HAPPENING AGAIN. ON 5-30-06 I HEARD ON A NEWS REPORT THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED 15 COMPLAINTS OF HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ON CHEVY IMPALAS, I WANTED TO ADD ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THAT. *NM
HEAD LIGHT POPPED OUT OF PLACE AS I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD ONE EVENING. ONE WORKED BUT ONE DID NOT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION IN MY HOMETOWN. THE OWNER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HE COULD SEE WHY IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SEAL LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FROM AROUND THE LIGHT. HE SAID THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE CA…
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HEAD LIGHT POPPED OUT OF PLACE AS I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD ONE EVENING. ONE WORKED BUT ONE DID NOT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION IN MY HOMETOWN. THE OWNER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HE COULD SEE WHY IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SEAL LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FROM AROUND THE LIGHT. HE SAID THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED FROM THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT A PROPER SEAL AND SEEMED TO SHRINK BECAUSE OF EXPOSURE TO THE SUN. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. I CHOSE TO GET IT FIXED TO KEEP FROM GETTING A TICKET FOR A DAMAGED HEADLIGHT. *JB
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 7:30 PM ON TUESDAY ON JANUARY 24, 2006, DARK OUTSIDE. I HAD MY LIGHTS ON BRIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. I DID HAVE FOG LIGHTS ON AND I COULD STILL SEE THEM, BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY HEADLIGHTS. I QUICK FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 7:30 PM ON TUESDAY ON JANUARY 24, 2006, DARK OUTSIDE. I HAD MY LIGHTS ON BRIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. I DID HAVE FOG LIGHTS ON AND I COULD STILL SEE THEM, BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY HEADLIGHTS. I QUICK FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT BEFORE. HOWEVER, WHEN I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY HE SAID SOMEONE THE WEEK BEFORE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING TWICE IN ONE DRIVE. THE PIECE TO REPLACE THIS IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET, BUT I FELT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. ANOTHER ITEM OF CONCERN IS THAT MY SECURITY LIGHT INSIDE MY CAR HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE MY CAR WON'T START ON THE FIRST TURN. ONLY ONCE DID I HAVE TO HAVE IT JUMPED. THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER AS THE LIGHTS AND RADIO STILL WORK. MY MECHANIC HAS TRIED REPLACING AN IGNITION SWITCH (I THINK), BUT THE FIRST TIME I STARTED IT DIDN'T TURN OVER AND THEN IT DID, BUT THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS STILL ON. IT'S BACK IN THE SHOP TODAY. THE OTHER PERSON MENTIONED ABOVE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME DEFECT. THEY ALSO OWN AN IMPALA. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON MY CAR. MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG.*AK
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.