IllustrationPURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA ON 4/09 AND 3 DAYS LATER THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHICH WILL BE CORRECTED; HOWEVER, I'VE NOTICED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER CHEVY IMPALA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF A DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *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
What owners actually said
694 reportsIN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, ESPECIALLY IN LOW RPM RANGE. THE VEHICLE SPITS ON SPUTTERS ON HARD ACCELERATION AND TAKES SEVERAL (30 OR BETTER) SECONDS TO REACH 55 MPH. I AM AN ASE TRAINED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. A VACUUM TEST DETERMINED THAT T…
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IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, ESPECIALLY IN LOW RPM RANGE. THE VEHICLE SPITS ON SPUTTERS ON HARD ACCELERATION AND TAKES SEVERAL (30 OR BETTER) SECONDS TO REACH 55 MPH. I AM AN ASE TRAINED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. A VACUUM TEST DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE 2500 RPM'S AND TO 0 BY 4000 (WHEN IT MISFIRES). THE CAT MAKES NOISE AND EVEN JUMPED THE HANGER (TELLING ME THE CONVERTER IS TWISTING FROM THE BACK PRESSURE). ONCE I DIAGNOSED IT, I LOOKED AT A LIST OF GM TSB'S FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THIS WAS LISTED ON THERE ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DEALER / TECH TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE UNTIL THE SERVICE LIFE HAS REACHED 10 YEARS OR 120K. MY VEHICLE FITS BOTH CONDITIONS AS IT IS A 2003 WITH 99K. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FREE AS THE WARRANTY ON EMISSIONS ITEMS IS 80K. WHEN I EVEN GAVE THEM THE TSB NUMBER (SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - CATALYTIC CONVERTER # 05551 - (9/14/05)) THEY SAID THAT WAS JUST IN THE CASE OF PLENUM DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE CLOGGED CONVERTER. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IN NO WAY EVEN MENTIONS THE PLENUM. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I CURRENTLY OWN AND I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR A WHILE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT, NOR TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TIED UP FOR DAYS TO DO A 2 HOUR JOB. HOWEVER, IF IT CONTINUES, IT WILL BLOW UP. HOW CAN I RESOLVE THIS? *TR
I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. ON VALENTINES DAY I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FUNERAL, THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY THEN BOYFRIEND NOW HUSBAND TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE GOT MY THEN FIVE MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OUT …
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I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. ON VALENTINES DAY I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FUNERAL, THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY THEN BOYFRIEND NOW HUSBAND TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE GOT MY THEN FIVE MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT COULD HAPPEN. MY FATHER CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THAT MODEL CAR. THE CAR BURNT COMPLETELY. ON THE RECALL MY FATHER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS FOR 3.8 LITER. I DO NOT BELIEVE MINE WAS A 3.8 LITER BUT MY VEHICLE WAS A V6. IT WAS EITHER A 3.4 OR A 3.6 LITER. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. I LOST EVERYTHING IN THAT VEHICLE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *TR
CAR WILL SOMETIMES START AND OFTEN NOT, UNSAFE IF GOING ON A TRIP INTERNET SAYS MOST LIKELY PROBLEM IS PASS KEY OR BCM MODULE.... *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND DO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT MUST ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS, SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND DO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT MUST ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS, SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SERVICE TRACTION SERVICE, ABS, FAILURE STARTING (PASS/LOCK SYSTEM), AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ON FOR NO REASON. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I HAD THE ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEM WORKED ON FOR A TOTAL OF AROUND $250. ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO MY ABS AND TRACTION CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND HAVE STAYED ON TO PR…
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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SERVICE TRACTION SERVICE, ABS, FAILURE STARTING (PASS/LOCK SYSTEM), AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ON FOR NO REASON. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I HAD THE ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEM WORKED ON FOR A TOTAL OF AROUND $250. ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO MY ABS AND TRACTION CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND HAVE STAYED ON TO PRESENT DAY. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND AT 132,000 MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCK. I GOT THE SWITCH CHANGED THEN HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPROGRAMMED I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO I LOOKED ONLINE AND WHAT DID I SEE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE AS OWNERS OF THIS CAR NEED IT RECALLED. MY COST AS OF 3/7/09 TO 3/11/09 IS 400.00…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND AT 132,000 MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCK. I GOT THE SWITCH CHANGED THEN HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPROGRAMMED I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO I LOOKED ONLINE AND WHAT DID I SEE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE AS OWNERS OF THIS CAR NEED IT RECALLED. MY COST AS OF 3/7/09 TO 3/11/09 IS 400.00 AND COUNTING. *TR
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD PERIODICALLY COME ON AND CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART NUMEROUS TIMES AND PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. DURING THE LA…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD PERIODICALLY COME ON AND CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART NUMEROUS TIMES AND PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. DURING THE LAST INSPECTION, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED HIM TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON FOR 3 OR 4 WEEKS AT THAT TIME, HE SAID THAT IT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD NOT SHOW ANYTHING ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. HE SAID IT COULD ALSO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER. THEY CHARGED ME $80 TO CHECK THE CONNECTIONS TO THE STARTER AND I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT MORE THAN LIKELY IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE OWNED BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CARS IN THE PAST, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FOREIGN ONES AS I DO WITH THE DOMESTIC. I DON'T PLAN ON BUYING ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR ANYTIME SOON. *TR
NO CRASHES. *TR
PASSKEY THEFT DETTERENT SYSTEM FAILS NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. THERE IS NO WORK AROUND EXCEPT TO RETURN CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
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.