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2003 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

513 reports with mileage · 181 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 264 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports32 fire reports23 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

264 reports
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200,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. …

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IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916532

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AN…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AND ALLOW TO SHIFT. IT HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT. THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARNING LIGHT DINGS AND STAYS LIT. I MANUALLY TURN OFF ABS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE WIRING THRU OUT THE CAR HAS FAILED TO MY REARVIEW MIRROR, DOMELIGHTS AND RADIO PANEL. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT I AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10907385

130,207 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Electrical System

TAKATA RECALL THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START SOMETIMES WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. ALSO IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET ITSELF AND IT TAKES FOREVER

NHTSA ODI #10906745

86,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION OCCURRED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, ROAD WAS DRY AND SMOOTH, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, ROAD WAS VERY FAMILIAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOOK VEHICLE TO WALTER JACKSON CHEVROLET IN RINGGOLD, GA FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE, THEY FOUND, WAS A PERSISTENT WATER LEAK BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX…

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VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION OCCURRED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, ROAD WAS DRY AND SMOOTH, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, ROAD WAS VERY FAMILIAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOOK VEHICLE TO WALTER JACKSON CHEVROLET IN RINGGOLD, GA FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE, THEY FOUND, WAS A PERSISTENT WATER LEAK BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED CORROSION AND CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS LEAK REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ATTEMPTS ONLY SUCCEEDED TEMPORARILY, IF AT ALL. FOUND FROM INTERNET SEARCHES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. AS I ALSO DRIVE A 2004 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SAME LEAK, I AM CONCERNED THAT ITS AIRBAGS COULD ALSO DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CAR'S HISTORY, AS IT WAS PURCHASED FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES IT AT $2,000 AND REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED AT $4,000. FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF REPAIRS ON THE CAR, EXCEPTING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE: 12-20-2007- RIGHT SIDE COWL PANEL SEAL- TO FIX LEAK UNDER GLOVE BOX 5-15-2010- BODY REPAIR- GRASS FIRE GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BLISTER PAINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR BEFORE FIRE DEPT. PUT IT OUT. (WE WEREN'T THERE TO MOVE IT.) 11-19-2013- WINDSHIELD AND GASKET- LEAKING AGAIN. 5-13-2016- REPAIR WATER LEAK- LEAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT AFTER-MARKET FIXES ON THE INTERNET THAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED PEOPLE HAVE DEVISED, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SAFE FROM THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT ROLLS OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE.

NHTSA ODI #10904683

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10895939

275,000 miles · Jul 8, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

MY TURNING SIGNALS WORK ON AND OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER AND MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULDN'T WORK BUT THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER A DAY OR TWO THE RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD WORK BUT THEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WON'T WORK. THEN ALL OF…

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MY TURNING SIGNALS WORK ON AND OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER AND MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULDN'T WORK BUT THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER A DAY OR TWO THE RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD WORK BUT THEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WON'T WORK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WOULD BOTH WORK THEN BOTH STOP WORKING. NOW A MONTH HAS PASSED AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WORK MOST THE TIME, BUT WILL WORK FOR A HOT SECOND AND THEN STOP WORKING. THIS IS ONLY FOR THE REAR TURNING SIGNAL THOUGH THE FRONT TURNING SIGNAL HAVE ALWAYS WORKED PROPERLY AND STILL DO.

NHTSA ODI #10883499

75,000 miles · Jul 4, 2016
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 15 MINUTES…

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THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOAD HOME NOT NOWING WHAT THIS WAS AND HAS ALSO HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON THIS IS VERY INCONVIENT. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER IMPALA OWNERS AN DEALERS THIS IS COMMON IN THE CHEVY IMPALA'S. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL SEEING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE? I GAVE MY SON THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT WANT HIM STRAINDED AND I CANT KEEP REPLACING PARTS HOPING THAT WORKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME *TR

NHTSA ODI #10882481

170,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY V…

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THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE TEMPERATURES RISE UP TO 120 PLUS DEGREES SO BEING "STUCK" TRYING TO START MY CAR IS NOT PLEASANT ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY CHILD WITH ME. SOMETIMES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTING IT WORKS BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK IS KICKING IN MORE THAN USUAL. IS THERE A WAY TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS SO I HAVE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10877031

110,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10873468

204,684 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

I WAS IN MY CAR MOVING FORWARD ON A STATE HIGHWAY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON WHEN SMOKE STATED TO COME OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. I TURNED OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY, WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON IT ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SOMETIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT, WHEN THEY FINISHED THE INSPECTION THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL F…

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I WAS IN MY CAR MOVING FORWARD ON A STATE HIGHWAY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON WHEN SMOKE STATED TO COME OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. I TURNED OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY, WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON IT ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SOMETIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT, WHEN THEY FINISHED THE INSPECTION THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THEY SAID THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AC RESISTER AND CONTROL HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10873211

Official recalls

5

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.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

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

1

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.