NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
80 reportsClear category filter32,000 miles · Jun 23, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRST WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES STARTING MAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR DOWN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRST WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES STARTING MAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR DOWN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DETERMINE ALL FOUR TIRE SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED BY THE CONTACT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 8/1/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10160570
48,350 miles · May 25, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD TO HAVE UPPER AND LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED ON 2003 IMPALA. SOUND OF WATER WITHIN THE DASH. TSB ON SAME ISSUE BACK IN 2000 GM IS AWARE OF THIS WHY AREN'T OWNERS BEING HELPED WITH FAULTY GASKETS. TBS #03034 NHTSA #10003430. WHY ARE WE IN A POSITION TO DAMAGE AN ENGINE OR WORSE AND GM HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY IN SUCH A CRU…
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HAD TO HAVE UPPER AND LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED ON 2003 IMPALA. SOUND OF WATER WITHIN THE DASH. TSB ON SAME ISSUE BACK IN 2000 GM IS AWARE OF THIS WHY AREN'T OWNERS BEING HELPED WITH FAULTY GASKETS. TBS #03034 NHTSA #10003430. WHY ARE WE IN A POSITION TO DAMAGE AN ENGINE OR WORSE AND GM HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY IN SUCH A CRUCIAL COMPONET. ITS AFFECTED EVERY MODEL YEAR IMPALA 2000-2003 MANY TBS'S LISTED EACH YEAR. THEY REPAIRED MY IMPALA AT FULL COST TO(48K.) ME. I WOULD NOT PURCHASE A NEW CAR WITH THIS BEING A HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I WAS JUST SURPRISED NO REACTION UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. ALSO A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A NEWER CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158294
72,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THE COOLANT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 MILES OR MORE. BUT THE SYSTEM HAS PROBLEMS AND IT LEAKS. THE CAR GETS OVERHEATED AND PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156511
58,000 miles · Apr 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEATER QUIT WORKING, THEN CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. TURNING OFF HEATER/DEFROSTER CAUSES IT TO STOP OVERHEATING SO MUCH, BUT TEMPERATURE STILL RISES WHEN WAITING AT LIGHTS. CAR IS ALSO NEEDING OIL REPLACEMENT, AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS AND 1500 MI AGO. MILEAGE IS AROUND 60,000. THERE IS OIL LEAKING OUT IN VARIOUS PLACES …
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HEATER QUIT WORKING, THEN CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. TURNING OFF HEATER/DEFROSTER CAUSES IT TO STOP OVERHEATING SO MUCH, BUT TEMPERATURE STILL RISES WHEN WAITING AT LIGHTS. CAR IS ALSO NEEDING OIL REPLACEMENT, AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS AND 1500 MI AGO. MILEAGE IS AROUND 60,000. THERE IS OIL LEAKING OUT IN VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE ENGINE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156121
42,000 miles · Jan 6, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXPERIENCED ENGINE TEMP FLUCTUATIONS DURING THIS TIME THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK, AFTER THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND WARMED UP PROBLEM WOULD STOP. CAR HEATED UP TO JUST BELOW THE OVER HEAT POINT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP THEY STATED THE INTAKE GASKET NEED TO BE REPLACED ($900.00). THE CAR …
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EXPERIENCED ENGINE TEMP FLUCTUATIONS DURING THIS TIME THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK, AFTER THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND WARMED UP PROBLEM WOULD STOP. CAR HEATED UP TO JUST BELOW THE OVER HEAT POINT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP THEY STATED THE INTAKE GASKET NEED TO BE REPLACED ($900.00). THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147085
1,807 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRUNK LATCH ON 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS DESIGNED INCORRECTLY. WHEN HE PUT A SUIT CASE IN THE TRUNK OR ANYTHING HEAVY, THE LATCH STUCK VERY HIGH, BENT, AND EVENTUALLY THE TRUNK WOULD NOT SHUT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE LATCH ONCE. THE FOREMAN AND THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRUNK LATCH ON 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS DESIGNED INCORRECTLY. WHEN HE PUT A SUIT CASE IN THE TRUNK OR ANYTHING HEAVY, THE LATCH STUCK VERY HIGH, BENT, AND EVENTUALLY THE TRUNK WOULD NOT SHUT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE LATCH ONCE. THE FOREMAN AND THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE WARRANTY WAS SOON TO RUN OUT. *AK (11/18/05) PER INVOICE, THE DRIVEABILITY SEEMED TO IDLE HIGH. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10138702
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2003 IMPALA I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FIXED TWICE STILL PLEASED OVERALL. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANTI-FREEZE IN MY CAR. I CALLED A SPOKE TO A SERVICE TECH HE INFORME…
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I OWN A 2003 IMPALA I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FIXED TWICE STILL PLEASED OVERALL. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANTI-FREEZE IN MY CAR. I CALLED A SPOKE TO A SERVICE TECH HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY HAD A LEAK SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT IT IN HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A HAIR LINE CRACK IN MY GASKET AND I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY DID MY LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON. WHY DID I HAVE TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN? AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FIND I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING A COOLANT CONCERN. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO MORE CAREFULLY. IT IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM IN THE 2003 IMPALA AND THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10138631
95,000 miles · Oct 1, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 3.4.L. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138291
77,248 miles · Sep 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE STARTED MAKING UNUSUAL CLANKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE THE PART BUT NOT AVAILABLE OUT OF STOCK TRIED SEVERAL DEALERS SAME OUTCOME TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135490
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA MAKES A ROARING SOUND WHEN THE ROAD IS WET AFTER A RAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY WATER BEING SPLASHED UP ON THE CONVERTER,AND IT COULD NOT BE FIXED
NHTSA ODI #10115995
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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