NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
103 reportsClear category filter74,000 miles · May 16, 2008
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING AT NIGHT USING THE AUTO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION, THE HEADLIGHT FAIL (QUIT) ON HIGHBEAM. AT 75 MPH THIS CAN BE A LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCE, I WAS LUCKILY ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT THE TIME. WHEN IT HAPPENED I TRIED TURNING THE LIGHTS ON WITH THE SWITCH, PUSHED AND PULLED IT AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I CAME TO A STOP AND WAS GOING T…
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DRIVING AT NIGHT USING THE AUTO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION, THE HEADLIGHT FAIL (QUIT) ON HIGHBEAM. AT 75 MPH THIS CAN BE A LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCE, I WAS LUCKILY ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT THE TIME. WHEN IT HAPPENED I TRIED TURNING THE LIGHTS ON WITH THE SWITCH, PUSHED AND PULLED IT AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I CAME TO A STOP AND WAS GOING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 9 TIMES. IT ONLY DOES IT ON HIGH BEAM SETTING, IT HAS NOT DONE IT WHEN THE SWITCH IS PULLED TO THE "ON" POSITION AS OF YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227977
53,500 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FAILURE, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT COULD ONLY USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FAILURE, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT COULD ONLY USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,500.
NHTSA ODI #10223779
75,047 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURENCES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURENCES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,047. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP REAPIRED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 05/20/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10222287
45,000 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED SPORADICALLY AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THEM BACK ON. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED SPORADICALLY AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THEM BACK ON. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10220168
66,000 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT PLAYED WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH UNTIL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE LIGHTS DIMMED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT PLAYED WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH UNTIL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE LIGHTS DIMMED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000. UPDATED 3/25/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT AND VERY DANGEROUS. UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219076
29,250 miles · Feb 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DECELERATING TO 10 MPH AND ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY DIMMED. TWO OR THREE SECONDS LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT CONDUCTED HIS OWN TEST; EACH TIME HE ACTIVATED THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMM…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DECELERATING TO 10 MPH AND ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY DIMMED. TWO OR THREE SECONDS LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT CONDUCTED HIS OWN TEST; EACH TIME HE ACTIVATED THE TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED AND THEN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS NOT TAKEN HIS VEHICLE THERE AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,299 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,250. UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING UNTIL REPAIRED ON 02/19/08. UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216840
74,000 miles · Jan 26, 2008
Exterior Lighting
MY HEAD LIGHTS FAILED ON MY 03 IMPALA. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. ITS SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYDAY. BUT THIS LAST TIME REALLY MADE ME FEAR FOR MY LIFE. I WAS COMING HOME AT NIGHT ABOUT TO SOME TO A CURVE GOING 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. I ALMOST WENT INTO THE DITCH AND THE…
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MY HEAD LIGHTS FAILED ON MY 03 IMPALA. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. ITS SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYDAY. BUT THIS LAST TIME REALLY MADE ME FEAR FOR MY LIFE. I WAS COMING HOME AT NIGHT ABOUT TO SOME TO A CURVE GOING 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. I ALMOST WENT INTO THE DITCH AND THERE WAS A POLE RIGHT THERE I COULD OF HIT. I CAME ONLINE TO TRY TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THAT LEAD ME TO THIS WEBSITE. IM REALLY AFRAID IF I DIDN'T GO AHEAD AND DO THIS THAT I WOULD REGRET IT. YOU PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT ITS NOT A SAFE. I'D FEEL REALLY GUILTY IF THIS MIGHT HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF IT ALREADY HASN'T. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216179
75,000 miles · Jan 25, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE ON HIGH BEAMS, BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF, IT WOULD TAKE 10-15 MINUTES FOR THEM TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVERY TWELVE TO FIFTEEN MILES. THE MECHANIC STATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE ON HIGH BEAMS, BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF, IT WOULD TAKE 10-15 MINUTES FOR THEM TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVERY TWELVE TO FIFTEEN MILES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS VERY FREQUENT FOR HIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $500. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216001
87,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Exterior Lighting
HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES GO OUT, NO PATTERN DETECTED. RELAY IS SUSPECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214693
64,000 miles · Dec 28, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, BUT WENT OUT AGAIN DURING OPERATION A FEW NIGHTS LATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213026
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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