NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
264 reportsClear category filter88,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DOOR LOCKS, TURN SIGNALS AND ANYTHING ELECTRICAL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL. THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE HEAT WOULD ALSO STOP WORKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DOOR LOCKS, TURN SIGNALS AND ANYTHING ELECTRICAL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL. THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE HEAT WOULD ALSO STOP WORKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91000.
NHTSA ODI #10376230
88 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT GM PUTS IN THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR YEAR AND HALF, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM UP TO AUG 28 2010. NOW ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS IT WONT START. THE CAR FOR NO REASON WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT STALL OUT THEN AFTER OTHER TRY IT START AND …
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I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT GM PUTS IN THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR YEAR AND HALF, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM UP TO AUG 28 2010. NOW ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS IT WONT START. THE CAR FOR NO REASON WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT STALL OUT THEN AFTER OTHER TRY IT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 4 TO 7DAYS. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET READING LOT ABOUT THE CHEVY DEALERS HAVEN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373194
75,000 miles · Nov 26, 2010
Electrical SystemVisibility
REAR DEFOGGER FAILURE- DOESN'T WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367893
47,000 miles · Nov 13, 2010
Electrical System
MY 03 IMPALA SOME TIMES WON'T START. I HAVE ALREADY GOT IT FIXED FROM DEALER AND AS SOON AS IT RAN OUT OF WARRANTY, IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FIXED 6 MONTHS EARLIER BY THE DEALER. GM WON'T HELP AND I AM STUCK SOME TIMES, WITH THE CAR BEING LEFT ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES IN SHOPPING MALLS. NEED SOME HELP FROM …
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MY 03 IMPALA SOME TIMES WON'T START. I HAVE ALREADY GOT IT FIXED FROM DEALER AND AS SOON AS IT RAN OUT OF WARRANTY, IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FIXED 6 MONTHS EARLIER BY THE DEALER. GM WON'T HELP AND I AM STUCK SOME TIMES, WITH THE CAR BEING LEFT ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES IN SHOPPING MALLS. NEED SOME HELP FROM GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365540
98,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,148.
NHTSA ODI #10363462
180,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Electrical System
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT FILLING OUT THIS FORM BECAUSE IT IS A WASTE OF TIME. I FILLED A COMPLAINT ON MARCH 2010 AND STILL NO RESPONSE, I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ENGINEER HAS FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA PASS-LOCK SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359298
110,000 miles · Sep 12, 2010
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
WE ARE DEALING WITH A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH/ SECURITY SYSTEM ON OUR CAR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. THIS ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT SIX MONTHS BACK AND IS DEFINITELY WORSENING. WE ARE EXPERIENCING WAIT TIMES OF ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO CLEAR THE SECURITY SYSTEM BEFORE WE CAN START THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WILL EVENTUALLY END …
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WE ARE DEALING WITH A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH/ SECURITY SYSTEM ON OUR CAR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. THIS ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT SIX MONTHS BACK AND IS DEFINITELY WORSENING. WE ARE EXPERIENCING WAIT TIMES OF ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO CLEAR THE SECURITY SYSTEM BEFORE WE CAN START THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WILL EVENTUALLY END UP COMPLETELY FAILING SOON. NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TO FAIL AND WE CANNOT JUDGE SPEED AT NIGHT WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT. I JUDGE THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE OFTEN HAS TO DEPEND ON THE CAR AT NIGHTS AND ALONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355048
110,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. I STOP BY MY HOUSE, BUT WHEN I GET BACK INTO THE CAR THE CAR WON'T START. TEN MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351944
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2010
Electrical System
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY. IMPALA AND LAST YEAR THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING IN MA DASH,SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. THIS INCIDENT TURNED TO A MAJOR PROBLEM, IT HAS MADE ME LATE TO APPOINTMENTS,LEFT MY KIDS AND I STRANDED AND IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND SHOUL…
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I OWN A 2003 CHEVY. IMPALA AND LAST YEAR THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING IN MA DASH,SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. THIS INCIDENT TURNED TO A MAJOR PROBLEM, IT HAS MADE ME LATE TO APPOINTMENTS,LEFT MY KIDS AND I STRANDED AND IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF, I DON NOT WANT TO INVEST MORE MONEY THEN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY WORTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351095
80,736 miles · Jul 17, 2010
Electrical System
03 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT COME ON. WAS JUST IN FOR OIL CHANGE, LIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS ON. DRIVE INTO WORK, CAR IS FLAWLESS. DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND THERE IS A NOISE IN THE GLOVE BOX OF A TICK TICK TICK. STOP AT GARAGE AND THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROB…
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03 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT COME ON. WAS JUST IN FOR OIL CHANGE, LIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS ON. DRIVE INTO WORK, CAR IS FLAWLESS. DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND THERE IS A NOISE IN THE GLOVE BOX OF A TICK TICK TICK. STOP AT GARAGE AND THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS NO CODES APPEAR. HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE INTERIOR FUSE WHEN I PARK SO THAT BATTERY IS NOT DRAINED, SHOP SAYS I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BCM. CAR HANDLES WELL, BUT WHY AM I READING ABOUT ALL OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER GM CUSTOMERS OF IMPALA'S BETWEEN 2000-2005? RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343741
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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