NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
264 reportsClear category filter126,000 miles · Sep 11, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA W/ DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON CAR FROM FACTORY. WHILE DRIVING EARLY 4:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO STREETS LIGHTS. I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WITHIN A SECOND ALL EXTERIOR, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN OUT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBL…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA W/ DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON CAR FROM FACTORY. WHILE DRIVING EARLY 4:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO STREETS LIGHTS. I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WITHIN A SECOND ALL EXTERIOR, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN OUT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NOT THE CONSUMER. NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I PRAY THAT YOUR JUST NOT ENTERING THESE COMPLAINTS INTO THE DATA BASE, BUT LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT YOU CARE AND ARE WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO, NOTICE THAT WHILE LOOKING FOR RECALL ON THIS MATTER THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINT ON THIS MULTIFUNCTION. CONSUMER'S CAN'T FIX THIS WITHOUT A LOT EXPENSES AND REMOVE AIRBAGS. WILL YOU DO YOUR BEST ON RECALLING OR GETTING RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424664
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2011
Electrical System
2003 CHEVY IMPALA , SOMETIMES IT WON'T START, AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420935
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2011
Electrical System
MY 2003 IMPALA IGNITION SWITCH FAILS EVERY 2-3 YEARS. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OR NOT START. THIS PART IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY TO BE FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417957
71,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2003 CHEVY IMPALA SECURITY LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LIGHT WILL TURN OFF SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING OR SOMETIMES AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAN GO AT THE LONGEST A WEEK BETWEEN LIGHT COMING BACK ON AGAIN. CAR WITHOUT WARNING DID NOT START. TURNED KEY LIGHTS WORKED RADIO WORKED AND AC BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. *…
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2003 CHEVY IMPALA SECURITY LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LIGHT WILL TURN OFF SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING OR SOMETIMES AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAN GO AT THE LONGEST A WEEK BETWEEN LIGHT COMING BACK ON AGAIN. CAR WITHOUT WARNING DID NOT START. TURNED KEY LIGHTS WORKED RADIO WORKED AND AC BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413874
65,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Electrical System
BCM - BODY CONTROL MODULE - 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. STARTED WITH FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS, THEN RADIO WENT OUT, THEN CAR WILL NOT START. NEW BCM ORDERED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411857
37,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SECURITY LAMP ILLUMINATED AND WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DRAINED THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SECURITY LAMP ILLUMINATED AND WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DRAINED THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK KEY WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402956
78,785 miles · May 13, 2011
Electrical System
MY CHEVY IMPALA 2003 INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START; IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKOUT SYSTEM THAT TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. (THE BATTERY, STARTER AND OTHER CONVENTIONAL PART OF THE STARTING SYSTEM ARE OK.) UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN…
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MY CHEVY IMPALA 2003 INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START; IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKOUT SYSTEM THAT TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. (THE BATTERY, STARTER AND OTHER CONVENTIONAL PART OF THE STARTING SYSTEM ARE OK.) UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS FOR A 30 SECOND STOP BUT THEN IT WON'T START FOR 10 MINUTES DUE TO AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S PASSLOCK SECURITY / ELECTRICAL / KEY TUMBLER / SYSTEMS. ASIDE FROM THE FRUSTRATION, I CANNOT RELY ON MY AUTOMOBILE WHEN TRANSPORTING MY 90+ YEAR OLD PARENTS TO LUNCH OR WHATEVER BECAUSE I MAY BECOME STRANDED AND THEIR HEALTH ISSUES CANNOT TOLERATE SITTING IN A HOT CAR FOR UNKNOWN PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400739
80,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
SECURITY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION KICKS TERRIBLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH WHEN BRAKING. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY CHECK FINE AT SERVICE. ALL SIGNS POINT TO BCM AND GAUGE C…
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SECURITY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION KICKS TERRIBLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH WHEN BRAKING. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY CHECK FINE AT SERVICE. ALL SIGNS POINT TO BCM AND GAUGE CLUSTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400605
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 IMPALA. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CAR CAME ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IN A L…
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I HAVE A 2003 IMPALA. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CAR CAME ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IN A LOT OF GM CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399587
149,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Electrical System
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING STARTING FAILURE. CAR HAS NEW BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR, AND HAS NO OTHER DEFECTS, OTHER THAN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM, CAUSING FAILURE TO START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397337
Official recalls
5Oct 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.
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.
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.
Feb 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. 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, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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 ↗
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