NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
103 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Exterior Lighting
MY WIFE STATED THAT HER 2003 IMPALA THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON ONE NIGHT AUTO MODE SO SHE TURNED ON MANUALLY. 2 WEEKS LATER, SHE IS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND THE FOG, AND HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. STOPPED ALONG ROAD AND TRIED HIGH, LOW, AND PULL LIGHT SWITCH WITH NO LUCK. VERY DANGEROUS IF WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BUSY AREA. ABANDONED CAR …
Read full complaint
MY WIFE STATED THAT HER 2003 IMPALA THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON ONE NIGHT AUTO MODE SO SHE TURNED ON MANUALLY. 2 WEEKS LATER, SHE IS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND THE FOG, AND HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. STOPPED ALONG ROAD AND TRIED HIGH, LOW, AND PULL LIGHT SWITCH WITH NO LUCK. VERY DANGEROUS IF WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BUSY AREA. ABANDONED CAR AND HAD MOTHER PICK HER UP. MOVED HOME WHEN DAYLIGHT CAME OUT. NOW WAITING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212401
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210660
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2007
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DIFFICULT TO SWITCH FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM ON MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF DURING EVENING DRIVING THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. WE HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ALTHOUGH INTEND TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THESE INCIDENTS APPEAR TO CORRELATE DIRECTLY WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE0601…
Read full complaint
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DIFFICULT TO SWITCH FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM ON MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF DURING EVENING DRIVING THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. WE HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ALTHOUGH INTEND TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THESE INCIDENTS APPEAR TO CORRELATE DIRECTLY WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE06017. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209195
82,872 miles · Nov 1, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS SHUTOFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207624
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2007
Exterior Lighting
PURCHASED A SECOND CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH SAME DEFECT WITH TAIL LIGHT COMPARTMENT. HOLDS WATER INDEFINITELY, NOT JUST CONDENSATION. I NOW HAVE A 2003 AND USED TO HAVE A 2002 WITH SAME PROBLEM. CAUSES LIGHT BULBS TO GO OUT FREQUENTLY AND ALSO ALARM WILL GO OFF WHEN OPENING TRUNK WHICH I SUSPECT MAYBE A SHORT IN WIRING DUE TO WA…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED A SECOND CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH SAME DEFECT WITH TAIL LIGHT COMPARTMENT. HOLDS WATER INDEFINITELY, NOT JUST CONDENSATION. I NOW HAVE A 2003 AND USED TO HAVE A 2002 WITH SAME PROBLEM. CAUSES LIGHT BULBS TO GO OUT FREQUENTLY AND ALSO ALARM WILL GO OFF WHEN OPENING TRUNK WHICH I SUSPECT MAYBE A SHORT IN WIRING DUE TO WATER. I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT AS WELL AS GM CORPORATE AND THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEM BUT NO WITH NO RECALLS YET TO PROVIDE RESOLUTION OF WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SAFEY HAZARD WHEN LIGHT BULBS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. OF COURSE THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT MAY STILL HAVE SOME CONDENSATION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #10201939
75,000 miles · Jul 22, 2007
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN. ONLY HAD HI BEAMS IF I HELD THE DIMMER SWITCH TOWARDS ME. ONCE I RELEASED THE SWITCH, I HAD NO LIGHTS. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH WITH ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR LIKE MINE BECAUSE A NEW ONE FROM GM WAS $500. *TR ALSO HAD HEAT/AC FAN STOP WORKING. …
Read full complaint
MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN. ONLY HAD HI BEAMS IF I HELD THE DIMMER SWITCH TOWARDS ME. ONCE I RELEASED THE SWITCH, I HAD NO LIGHTS. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH WITH ONE FROM A WRECKED CAR LIKE MINE BECAUSE A NEW ONE FROM GM WAS $500. *TR ALSO HAD HEAT/AC FAN STOP WORKING. NOW CAR IS MAKING A STRANGE HUMMING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END THAT IS NOT COMING FROM THE MOTOR. MY HUSBAND BELIEVES THE WHEEL BEARINGS MIGHT BE BAD BECAUSE OUR MECHANIC ASKED US IF WE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM. HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CARS LIKE MINE WITH WHEEL BEARING ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10197139
101,000 miles · Jun 20, 2007
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED HER $669 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAD A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED HER $669 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAD A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193844
20,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE F…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT $281.60 FOR NEW ONE. 12/09/05, TO DEALERSHIP FOR STARTING CONCERNS AND MAINTENANCE. 04/13/06-CAR WOULD NOT START TO LEAVE WORK. WARD'S CHEVROLET CAME TO MY WORK SITE. LEFT ME A RENTAL AND KEPT MY CAR UNTIL 04/20/06. I PAID $674.56 FOR A 2ND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE. 06/21/06- TO LOCAL GARAGE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. $100 PAID FOR "SHORT" IN ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED NO START AND TOWING. 08/04/06-COOPER BUICK IN MONROE,LA- $281.00 FOR ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND RECALL ON 2003 IMPALA HEADGASKETS THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. 11/22/06-NO START, TURN OVER-WENT OUTSIDE 3 HOURS LATER-STARTS WITH HARD START. 12/06/06-BRAKES WENT FROM QUIET TO GRINDING-SLOW HARD STARTS CONTINUE. WARD'S KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH-NEVER TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR EXCEPT BRAKES. DID NOT CHARGE. AT THIS TIME I HAD REQUESTED A GM INVESTI.-NO RESULTS-STATES"THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE CONCERN". THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE SLOW, HARD STARTS WITH VERY NOTICEABLE GAS SMELLS. THE SMELL OF GAS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 04/20/06 REPAIRS. NOW SERVICE, ABS, SECURITY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND SLOW, HARD STARTS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING WARD'S SINCE THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2007 REQUESTING FACTORY REP. TO MEET AND DRIVE CAR AFTER THEIR HAVING A MONTH WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CARS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THIS A.M. TO BE INFORMED THAT NEW SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SINCE MARCH I HAVE REQUESTED THE FACTORY REP. WITH NO RESPONSE FROM WARD'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189372
34,155 miles · Apr 14, 2007
Exterior Lighting
LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS HAPPENED SOON,THOUGH NOT IMMEDIATELY, AFTER FLIPPING ON THE HIGH BEAMS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NEAR HOME AND NOT GOING FAST,SO WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. SOMEHOW WHILE PLAYING AROUND WITH THE LIGHT SWITCHES, THEY CAME BACK ON. I HAVEN'T TRIED TO GET IT REPAIRED AS I CAN'T GET IT T…
Read full complaint
LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS HAPPENED SOON,THOUGH NOT IMMEDIATELY, AFTER FLIPPING ON THE HIGH BEAMS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NEAR HOME AND NOT GOING FAST,SO WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. SOMEHOW WHILE PLAYING AROUND WITH THE LIGHT SWITCHES, THEY CAME BACK ON. I HAVEN'T TRIED TO GET IT REPAIRED AS I CAN'T GET IT TO REPEAT THE FAILURE. THIS COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, AND I SUPPOSE IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187844
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2007
Exterior Lighting
TURNING SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING I HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE MY SIGNAL UP AND DOWN TO TURN CORNERS, GET OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. VERY DANGEROUS HAD TO HAVE HAZARD SWITCH/FLASHER UNIT REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10187704
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 ↗
Illustration