Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2003)

695 consumer complaints on file.

#10402956May 27, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SECURITY LAMP ILLUMINATED AND WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DRAINED THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK KEY WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400739May 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CHEVY IMPALA 2003 INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START; IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKOUT SYSTEM THAT TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. (THE BATTERY, STARTER AND OTHER CONVENTIONAL PART OF THE STARTING SYSTEM ARE OK.) UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS FOR A 30 SECOND STOP BUT THEN IT WON'T START FOR 10 MINUTES DUE TO AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S PASSLOCK SECURITY / ELECTRICAL / KEY TUMBLER / SYSTEMS. ASIDE FROM THE FRUSTRATION, I CANNOT RELY ON MY AUTOMOBILE WHEN TRANSPORTING MY 90+ YEAR OLD PARENTS TO LUNCH OR WHATEVER BECAUSE I MAY BECOME STRANDED AND THEIR HEALTH ISSUES CANNOT TOLERATE SITTING IN A HOT CAR FOR UNKNOWN PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400605May 12, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SECURITY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION KICKS TERRIBLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH WHEN BRAKING. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY CHECK FINE AT SERVICE. ALL SIGNS POINT TO BCM AND GAUGE CLUSTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399587May 9, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 IMPALA. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CAR CAME ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN. BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IN A LOT OF GM CARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397337April 25, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING STARTING FAILURE. CAR HAS NEW BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR, AND HAS NO OTHER DEFECTS, OTHER THAN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM, CAUSING FAILURE TO START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397063April 21, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED IN 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TIMES THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED WAS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V051000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,461 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393251March 23, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386085March 1, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383535February 14, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN SWITCH IS PULLED TO PUT ON BRIGHT LIGHTS ALL LIGHTS GO OFF, LEAVING ME DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTS. WIGGLING, JIGGLING, OR MOVING THE SWITCH EVENTUALLY PUTS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS BACK ON. HAD THIS FIXED AT A COST TO ME OF MORE THAN $600. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE EVERY SERVICE RECORD ON IT, CAN PROVE IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT ABUSED. EVEN HAVE SAVED FAILED PART FROM THIS SERVICE. HAVE SEEN A VAST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM LISTED ON WEB. I WAS LUCKY, THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. AT THE VERY LEAST PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS MAKE/MODEL NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO MY GRANDMOTHER OR OTHER LOVED ONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380683February 8, 2011
STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS FOR VEHICLE AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381828February 5, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA, TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN UNIT UNIT 1 ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0911-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380255February 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE, PERIODICALLY NOT RUNNING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED ON THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY TYPE OF NOISE, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND SECURITY LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE, IT WOULD THEN START. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378777January 26, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376941January 17, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL INJECTOR PRESSURE REGULATOR ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM TIME TO TIME WITH NO REGULAR SCHEDULE. I AM AFRAID THAT AT SOME TIME A FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THIS LEAKAGE. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AT START UP AND THEN AT OTHER TIMES FOR REASON AT ALL. IT IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE. WHEN I DETECT THE SMELL,I STOP AND PUSH DOWN ON THE HOSE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND IT SEEMS TO STOP THE SMELL AND THE LEAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376230January 11, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DOOR LOCKS, TURN SIGNALS AND ANYTHING ELECTRICAL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL. THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE HEAT WOULD ALSO STOP WORKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375517January 10, 2011
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
THE TRACTION CONTROL IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGING EVEN UNDER IDEAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. IT ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. ONCE ENGAGED DURING PULLING ONTO A ROAD AND DUE TO HOLDING CAR BACK (NO TRACTION) ALMOST HAD A COLLISION. ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A NOISE IS HEARD AND A SLIGHT PUSH BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL OCCURS. NOISE IS POSSIBLY FROM THE ABS. SINCE THE TWO (TC AND ABS) ARE LINKED IT COULD BE DISRUPTING ONE OR THE OTHER. I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. WROTE A LETTER TO GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. ALSO NO KNOWN ROOT CAUSE OR EASY FIX AND CUST HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS TO FIX ISSUE AT DEALER YET ISSUE REMAINS. THIS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED AND RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374910January 6, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,262. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 05/31/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374744January 5, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE TRANS - WASN'T SHIFTING RIGHT, HARD SHIFT. TOOK IT TO ROTOLO CHEVY IN FONTANA, CA. DX: CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEARLY $800 TO GET NEW ONE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANNY DISINTEGRATED. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD SHIFTING DIFFICULTIES - TOOK IT BACK A WEEK LATER TO BE TOLD IT HAS A "SMART ADAPT" IN TRANS AND NEEDED APPROX 1000 MILES TO SYNC ITSELF, NOW THE CAR SPUTTERS, HAS A MISFIRE CODE IN CYLINDER 2, TRANS CODE. HARD STARTS, RANDOMLY STALLS WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS SURGE WHEN AT AN IDLE, CAR CONSTANTLY FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL - IT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOU NAUSEAS WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SURGING OF THE CAR. THIS MORNING THE CAR JUST STALLED WHEN I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. ALL PLUGS, PLUG WIRES AND COIL PACK FOR CYLINDER 2 HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO CORRECTION TO HOW THE CAR RUNS. SOUNDS AND FEELS WORSE WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, BUT SMOOTHES OUT SOME WHEN IN DRIVE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH BAR REGARDING CAT REPLACEMENT, RECOMMENDED REFUND TO DEALER FOR UNNECESSARY ITEM - DEALER REFUSES TO GIVE MONEY BACK. TOLD ME CAR WOULD NEVER RUN RIGHT AFTER THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE I REFUSED TO HAVE THEM CHANGE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE CAR HAS NOT RUN RIGHT SINCE, BUT A SECOND OPINION FOUND THAT THE MOUNTS WERE OK - RECOMMENDED THAT ONE OF THE BACK MOUNTS BE REPLACED AS IT WAS MORE WORN THAN THE OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373194December 28, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE 2003 CHEVY IMPALA AND I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT GM PUTS IN THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR YEAR AND HALF, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM UP TO AUG 28 2010. NOW ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS IT WONT START. THE CAR FOR NO REASON WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT STALL OUT THEN AFTER OTHER TRY IT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 4 TO 7DAYS. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET READING LOT ABOUT THE CHEVY DEALERS HAVEN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369592December 8, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 IMPALA. NOTHING I DO SEEMS TO HELP THEM COME BACK ON. I HAVE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO MANUALLY TURN THEM ON, I HAVE TURNED OFF MY CAR AND RESTARTED, I HAVE HIT THE SWITCH TO GO FROM BRIGHT TO DIM. NOTHING HAS HELPED. THEY EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MAYBE THREE TIMES SO FAR. I HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHEN THIS STARTED BUT SINCE YOU ARE MAKING ME PICK A DATE I DID. IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN MORE BUT I QUIT DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT FOR THE FEAR OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN! HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE FIXED SINCE I AM MARRIED TO A MECHANIC. HOWEVER HE HAS YET TO BOTHER TRYING TO FIX IT OR SEE WHAT COULD BE WRONG EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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