IllustrationTOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, TOLD THAT LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING BAD AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS COOLANT FLUSH. TOTAL FOR REPAIR IS $1450. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 83K MILES. *TR
2003 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
670–25K
6625–50K
9150–75K
8175–100K
121100–150K
87150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
80 reports2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 45,242 MILES HAD TO HAVE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO IT LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL. $550. *JB
MY 2003 IMPALA CUTS OFF AT LOW SPEED HIGH SPEED AND WHILE IN IDLE THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS THEY CANNOT ANSWER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT I KEEP GETTING BILLED FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I GOT MY CAR BACK ON 4/11/2007 AND ON THE NEXT MORNING WHILE THE CAR WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVE WAY IT SHUT OFF A…
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MY 2003 IMPALA CUTS OFF AT LOW SPEED HIGH SPEED AND WHILE IN IDLE THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS THEY CANNOT ANSWER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT I KEEP GETTING BILLED FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I GOT MY CAR BACK ON 4/11/2007 AND ON THE NEXT MORNING WHILE THE CAR WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVE WAY IT SHUT OFF AND WAS HARD TO RESTART I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP MY FUEL FILTER WAS THE ISSUE
TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHILE SHE WAS AT THE SERVICE LOCATION, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. ALSO, THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH DID NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TURNED ON, BUT DID NOT STAY ON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TWO FAILURES W…
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TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHILE SHE WAS AT THE SERVICE LOCATION, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. ALSO, THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH DID NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TURNED ON, BUT DID NOT STAY ON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TWO FAILURES WERE COMMON. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 58,524. *AK
BOUGHT CHEVROLET IMPALA IN 2002 CAR HAD 5 MILES ON IT AND I PUT THE 5 MILES BY TEST DRIVING THE CAR I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BY A CHEVROLET . CHEVROLET DOESN'T STAND BY THEIR CARS I HAD TO REPLACES THE INTAKE GASKETS AND A CATALYTIC AND A WATER PUMP AND THIS WEEK I HAD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION IN IT THIS WEEK AND THAT COST …
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BOUGHT CHEVROLET IMPALA IN 2002 CAR HAD 5 MILES ON IT AND I PUT THE 5 MILES BY TEST DRIVING THE CAR I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BY A CHEVROLET . CHEVROLET DOESN'T STAND BY THEIR CARS I HAD TO REPLACES THE INTAKE GASKETS AND A CATALYTIC AND A WATER PUMP AND THIS WEEK I HAD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION IN IT THIS WEEK AND THAT COST ME 2400 AND CHEVROLET WOULD NT HELP US A ALL ,CHEVROLET SAID THAT IT HAD TO MANY MILES ON IT WHAT DO THEY WANT FOR A CAR TO HAVE NO MILES ON IT I DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK. I DON'T THINK CHEVROLET SHOULD HAD TO PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION BUT I WOULD LIKE THEM TO HELP US AND STAND BY A AMERICAN MADE CAR. *JB
NOTICED IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE CAR TO HEAT UP LAST WINTER; THIS WINTER STARTED OUT THE SAME, AND I NOTICED THE BLOWER WOULDN'T WORK ON SETTING 5 SOMETIMES. THEN IT QUIT HEATING ALTOGETHER, AND THE FAN WOULD QUIT BUT START BACK UP. NOW THE FAN QUIT BLOWING ALTOGETHER. NO HEAT, NO DEFROST, IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER, AND I'M LOOKING AT …
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NOTICED IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE CAR TO HEAT UP LAST WINTER; THIS WINTER STARTED OUT THE SAME, AND I NOTICED THE BLOWER WOULDN'T WORK ON SETTING 5 SOMETIMES. THEN IT QUIT HEATING ALTOGETHER, AND THE FAN WOULD QUIT BUT START BACK UP. NOW THE FAN QUIT BLOWING ALTOGETHER. NO HEAT, NO DEFROST, IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER, AND I'M LOOKING AT ABOUT $1000 IN "REPAIRS" WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THANKS GM. I'LL BE SURE TO BUY ANOTHER OF YOUR VEHICLES. THERE IS A MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK, AND THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH HAS 46,904 MILES ON IT AND IT REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING AT A COST OF $1,150.00 TO FIX. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR A NO HEAT PROBLEM, UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, NEW WATER PUMP, FLUSHING AND NEW DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATI…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH HAS 46,904 MILES ON IT AND IT REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING AT A COST OF $1,150.00 TO FIX. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR A NO HEAT PROBLEM, UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, NEW WATER PUMP, FLUSHING AND NEW DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATION. *NM
COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE ALWAYS ENDED WITH NO FOUND PROBLEMS ON VEHICLE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2003. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE COOLANT FLUSH AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER WERE COMPLETED AND STILL NO PROBLEMS FOUND. AT 75,671 MILES DEALER FOUND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING AND SAID ENG…
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COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE ALWAYS ENDED WITH NO FOUND PROBLEMS ON VEHICLE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2003. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ENGINE COOLANT FLUSH AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER WERE COMPLETED AND STILL NO PROBLEMS FOUND. AT 75,671 MILES DEALER FOUND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING AND SAID ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR IF NOT REPLACED. REPAIR COST $658. FOUND THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INDICATE THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM IN A HOST OF GM VEHICLES FROM 2000. PUBLIC IS BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS FOR POOR ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT FOR THE LESS THAN KNOWLEDGEABLE DRIVER. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WITH POOR LESS THAN OPTIMAL ENGINE PERFORMANCE, LOSS OF COOLANT, OIL, ETC. SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED. HOW MANY OF THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE OVER THE SPAN OF YEARS BY THE MANUFACTURER? HOW MANY UNINFORMED CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN DUPED BY THIS LACK OF MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY?*JB
MY 2003 IMPALA STARTED WITH A SLOW LOOSE OF COOLANT. EVERY WEEK OR SO WOULD HAVE TO ADD TO THE OVERFLOW, BUT NEVER SAW A LEAK. WAS OVER-HEATING TOO. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD HAVE A TICKING FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN STARTING CAR. IT WASN'T ALL THE TIME THOUGH. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY AND THE OIL WAS ABOUT A 1/2 QU…
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MY 2003 IMPALA STARTED WITH A SLOW LOOSE OF COOLANT. EVERY WEEK OR SO WOULD HAVE TO ADD TO THE OVERFLOW, BUT NEVER SAW A LEAK. WAS OVER-HEATING TOO. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD HAVE A TICKING FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN STARTING CAR. IT WASN'T ALL THE TIME THOUGH. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY AND THE OIL WAS ABOUT A 1/2 QUART LOW. CHECKED AGAIN IN COUPLE DAYS AND NEEDED TO ADD A QUART BECAUSE LIGHT CAME ON. TWO DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE GASKET NEEDED REPLACING IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE COOLANT MIXED WITH OIL. ALSO NEEDED COOLANT FLUSH, AND OIL CHANGE AND ANOTHER GASKET. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS LOTS OF SLUDGE IN ENGINE AND COULD CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. THE CAR HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT AND IT COST ME OVER $1300 TO REPAIR. WHAT A SHOCK TO THE POCKET BOOK. *NM
THE CAR STARTING SMELLING LIKE ANTI-FREEZE AND THEN A BIG PUDDLE APPEARED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE ONLY THING WE DID WAS DRIVE FROM NAMPA, ID TO BILLINGS, MT, WHICH WE HAVE DONE FOUR TIMES BEFORE. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW AS OF J…
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THE CAR STARTING SMELLING LIKE ANTI-FREEZE AND THEN A BIG PUDDLE APPEARED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE ONLY THING WE DID WAS DRIVE FROM NAMPA, ID TO BILLINGS, MT, WHICH WE HAVE DONE FOUR TIMES BEFORE. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW AS OF JULY 28TH, 2006. IN NOVEMEBER OF 2003, THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED AT 31,000 BY THE LITHIA DEALERSHIP IN HELENA, MT. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS ALSO REPLACED IN MAY 2006 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE. *JB
Official recalls
515V701000 · 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.
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
1PE06017 · 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.