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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

What owners actually said

795 reports
20,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167086

46,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR POSSIBLY THE ALTERNATOR, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). OUR CAR HAD ONLY 46,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE SHOULD BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL ON THE BCM GIVEN THE NUMEROUS BULLETINS AND COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE BCM BEFORE SOMEONE'S LOSES HIS OR HER L…

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CAR WOULD NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR POSSIBLY THE ALTERNATOR, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). OUR CAR HAD ONLY 46,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE SHOULD BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL ON THE BCM GIVEN THE NUMEROUS BULLETINS AND COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE BCM BEFORE SOMEONE'S LOSES HIS OR HER LIFE AS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT RESULT OF ITS FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167066

65,000 miles · Aug 24, 2006
Electrical System

SEVERAL ELECTRICAL / SECURITY PROBLEMS - LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALSO AT TIMES WHEN APPROACHING CAR, IT WON'T START DUE TO SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN STARTER CIRCUIT. ALTHOUGH THESE THINGS CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER WAITING, THE DEALER DOESN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS TH…

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SEVERAL ELECTRICAL / SECURITY PROBLEMS - LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALSO AT TIMES WHEN APPROACHING CAR, IT WON'T START DUE TO SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN STARTER CIRCUIT. ALTHOUGH THESE THINGS CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER WAITING, THE DEALER DOESN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT MIGHT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166429

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

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 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

NHTSA ODI #10164582

53,000 miles · Aug 1, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE ROTORS PULSATED AT 11,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFACED THE ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AT 33,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSTALL NEW ROTORS BUT REFACED THE ROTORS A SECOND TIME. THE ROTORS BEGAN PULSATING A THIRD TIME. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT T…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE ROTORS PULSATED AT 11,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFACED THE ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AT 33,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSTALL NEW ROTORS BUT REFACED THE ROTORS A SECOND TIME. THE ROTORS BEGAN PULSATING A THIRD TIME. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE 2005 MODEL OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10164097

60,000 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10163851

81,000 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163804

53,000 miles · Jul 15, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. FORD RANGER IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME FOR CAR TO STOP BUT ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I REAR ENDED THE TRUCK. THEN AFTER HITTING THE TRUCK HARD ENOUGH TO HAVE CAR TOWED THE BATTERY BURST AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162484

30,215 miles · Jul 14, 2006
Electrical System

WHEN GETTING INTO MY CAR I GO TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. THE SECURITY LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE SECUR…

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WHEN GETTING INTO MY CAR I GO TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. THE SECURITY LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR CAR WILL START. THIS COULD PUT A WOMAN IN A SERIOUS SITUATION. WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162430

64,378 miles · Jun 24, 2006
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10160641

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.