← New search

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 →

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

Equipment complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
178,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
EquipmentCrashInjury

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WHEN SHE WENT TO PASS A TURNING VEHICLE PULLING A TRAILER AND WHEN SHE DID SO THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK CAUSING HER TO HIT THE REAR OF THE TRAILER WENT INTO THE DITCH WHERE THE CAR ROLLED ONTO THE ROOF. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE C…

Read full complaint

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WHEN SHE WENT TO PASS A TURNING VEHICLE PULLING A TRAILER AND WHEN SHE DID SO THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK CAUSING HER TO HIT THE REAR OF THE TRAILER WENT INTO THE DITCH WHERE THE CAR ROLLED ONTO THE ROOF. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM A WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WE STILL HAVE BEEN GETTING RECALL NOTICES FOR THE VEHICLE. GM REFUSES ANY LIABILITY IN THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #10914381

105,000 miles · Jul 11, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment

2003 CHEVY IMPALA WILL NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS A BCM PROBLEM. THE REMOTE INSTALLED ON THE CAR FOB DOES NOT WORK AND HAS NEVER WORKED. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AND THE TRUNK WILL SPRING OPEN WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE THE DOORS AND TRUNK DO NOT LOCK, THERE IS NO SECURITY ON THIS VEHICLE. AND AGAIN THE CAR WILL …

Read full complaint

2003 CHEVY IMPALA WILL NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS A BCM PROBLEM. THE REMOTE INSTALLED ON THE CAR FOB DOES NOT WORK AND HAS NEVER WORKED. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AND THE TRUNK WILL SPRING OPEN WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE THE DOORS AND TRUNK DO NOT LOCK, THERE IS NO SECURITY ON THIS VEHICLE. AND AGAIN THE CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342548

129,057 miles · Aug 29, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A 3.8 LITER V-6. THE CAR RADIO QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO PULL OUT THE FUSE BECAUSE IT WAS SENDING STRANGE ERROR MESSAGES TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. NOW THE BCM IS HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF THEN BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A 3.8 LITER V-6. THE CAR RADIO QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO PULL OUT THE FUSE BECAUSE IT WAS SENDING STRANGE ERROR MESSAGES TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. NOW THE BCM IS HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF THEN BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THEN IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE BCM AN THE CAR STARTED AND I MADE IT HOME. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID GENERAL MOTORS DO TO THESE CARS. I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS HORROR STORIES ABOUT THEIR CARS. WAS THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER AND SPEND A FORTUNE TO FIX THIS GARBAGE PRETENDING TO BE A CAR. HOW CAN A CAR COMPANY GET AWAY WITH THIS POOR QUALITY CONTROL IN THIS DAY AND AGE? MY SECURITY DISPLAY NOW SHOWS RANDOM ERRORS LIKE LOW FUEL EVEN AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK. NOT SURE IF ANY MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN IT SHIFTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282226

61,437 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 61,000 MILES HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT, REPLACE RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL DUE TO DEXCOOL DUMPING INTO ALL THE ABOVE FROM RADIATOR CALLED CHERVOLET AND DEXCOOL MANUFACTURE THEY BLAMED ONE ANOTHER FOR THE PROBLEM, NEITHER DID ANYTHING ABOUT. RESULTING IN $2293.87 WORTH OF REP…

Read full complaint

2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 61,000 MILES HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT, REPLACE RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL DUE TO DEXCOOL DUMPING INTO ALL THE ABOVE FROM RADIATOR CALLED CHERVOLET AND DEXCOOL MANUFACTURE THEY BLAMED ONE ANOTHER FOR THE PROBLEM, NEITHER DID ANYTHING ABOUT. RESULTING IN $2293.87 WORTH OF REPAIRS AND NOT TO MENTION NO VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS DOES NOT INCLUDE PRICE OF RENTAL FOR A WEEK OR SO AND TIME OFF FOR RUNNING VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239256

114,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Equipment

DURING OUR VACATION ABOUT 200 MILES FROM OUR HOME, WITHOUT WARNING, OUR 2003 IMPALA LS WITH 114K MILES STARTED RUNNING VERY BADLY. AFTER GOING TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOP AND 8 HOURS LATER RODNEY'S MUFFLER IN MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR A VERY REASONABLE PRICE AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT YET…

Read full complaint

DURING OUR VACATION ABOUT 200 MILES FROM OUR HOME, WITHOUT WARNING, OUR 2003 IMPALA LS WITH 114K MILES STARTED RUNNING VERY BADLY. AFTER GOING TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOP AND 8 HOURS LATER RODNEY'S MUFFLER IN MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR A VERY REASONABLE PRICE AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT YET. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON EMISSION PARTS AND WONDER IF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232337

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2007
EquipmentVisibility

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONTACT STATES THAT THE DEFOGGER FAILED. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BREAKER FOR THE DEFOGGER DID NOT EXIST AS SHOWN IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND DIAGRAM ON THE BREAKER COVER. *MC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187896

30,000 miles · Nov 14, 2005
Equipment

PUNGENT SMELL COMING FROM THE A/C WHEN ON COLD. FILTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142651

77,000 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Equipment

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS PROBLEMS WITH RADIO EQUIPMENT.*MR THE CD WOULD NOT EJECT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE RADIO WAS LINKED TO OTHER SAFETY FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE AND IF A REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS MADE BY ANYONE OTHER THAN GM IT MAY PERMANENTLY DISABLE THE FEATURES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117506

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2004
EquipmentExterior LightingStructure

RADIO HAS VERY BAD RECEPTION. HAVE TAKEN CARE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED NEW RADIO WITH RECONDITIONED RADIOS TWICE. FIRST REPLACEMENT RADIO, DISPLAY DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. SECOND REPLACEMENT RADIO WAS NOT CALIBRATED PROPERLY WHEN INSTALLED AND WHEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RE-CALIBRATED, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM…

Read full complaint

RADIO HAS VERY BAD RECEPTION. HAVE TAKEN CARE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED NEW RADIO WITH RECONDITIONED RADIOS TWICE. FIRST REPLACEMENT RADIO, DISPLAY DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. SECOND REPLACEMENT RADIO WAS NOT CALIBRATED PROPERLY WHEN INSTALLED AND WHEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RE-CALIBRATED, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DISPLAY AS REPLACEMENT RADIO NUMBER ONE. I NOW SUPPOSEDLY NEED A NEW DIMMER SWITCH. (AM TAKING TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN THE HOPES THAT THEY CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM) THE FOG LIGHTS CONSTANTLY HAVE EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION. AM TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND GM THAT THIS IS NORMAL HOWEVER I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE TELL ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL. HAVE NOT OBSERVED THIS TYPE OF CONDENSATION ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE'S FOG LIGHTS. GM WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE UNLESS THERE IS STANDING WATER. GM REFUSED CLAIM. THERE IS AN EXTREMELY LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE FROM THE DASH. TEMP OUTSIDE DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER. AM TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. THE CRACKING NOISE IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING. IT COMES SUDDENLY AND WITH NO WARNING AND SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HARD STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10080861

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.