Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2003)

695 consumer complaints on file.

#10438887December 7, 2011
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA IN 2009. CAR RAN PERFECT WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. AFTER 6 MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THAT IS NOT THE MAJOR ISSUE. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME. CHANGED BATTERY AND IT STILL DOES NOT RUN. IT WILL START BUT ONLY RUNS UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. IT THEN STALLS OUT! THIS CAR HAS BEEN GREAT BUT IS NOT UNRELIABLE.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437712November 29, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. I'VE HAD IT REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE NEW KEY. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436532November 21, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AS WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A 2003 IMPALA THE SECURITY SYSTEM CONSTANTLY MIS FUNCTIONS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED WITH THE CAR UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET EXPOSES THE FACT THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF CHEVY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432835October 26, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
GOT THIS CAR NEW 2003,AT 376 MILES HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS,HAD IT BACK TO DEALER 10 OR 11 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM,SO ABOUT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS I HAVE TO TURN ROTORS OR GET NEW ONE;S+BRAKE PADS,ALSO DASH LIGHTS ARE OUT,AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW,THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER OWNED ,AS I AM A RETIRED OTR TRUCK DRIVER ,SO I DONT MISUSE BRAKES. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432549October 24, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO FAIL UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,139.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429611October 12, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ADVISING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425684September 15, 2011
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHT LIGHTS UP AFTER BACKING UP AND BRAKING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS. THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425108September 12, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. MY CAR CRANKS FINE IN THE MORNING. AFTER BEING DRIVEN AFTER A WHILE; I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL OFF BEFORE IT WILL CRANK. I HAVE HAD TO WAIT UP TO 2 HOURS FOR MY CAR TO START. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MACHINES AND THEY ARE LOST REGARDING THE ISSUE. I CALLED THE CHEVY PLACE AND THEY GAVE ME A LIST OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND WANT ME TO SPEND 99.99 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I TOLD THEM I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULAR). I HAVE BEEN LOOKING OUT ON CONSUMER PAGES AND THERE HAVE BEEN RESPONSE ABOUT THE BCM BEING FIXED AND IT ONLY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. SPENDING 99.99 PLUS A CHARGE OF 450.00 TO 500.00 TO GET A TEMPORARY FIX IS WAY OUT OF THE QUESTION. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED ASAP BECAUSE THIS IS ELECTRICAL AND CAN BE DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER. I ALSO IT SHOULD BE AT A COST TO THE COMPANY DUE TO THE FACT NO ONE CAN DETECT THE PROBLEM OUTSIDE THE COMPANY AND IT SEEMS THAT THE REPAIR IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND IT TO EXPENSIVE FOR THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424630September 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
UNDER HARD HIGH SPEED BRAKING THE FRONT BRAKES SHUDDER BADLY CAUSING A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY DUE TO WARPED ROTORS MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. IF PRESSURE ON PEDAL IS NOT RELEASED THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. IT IS WORSE IF GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON GM CARS BUILD IN THE LAST 8 YEARS. THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH POORLY MADE BRAKE ROTORS THAT WARP AT UNDER 15,000 MILES OF NORMAL USE. I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S 2003 IMPALA. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ROTORS REPLACED WITH PARTS OF ADEQUATE QUALITY. IF YOU CAN GET THE ISSUE ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER WILL ONLY EITHER TURN THE DEFECTIVE ROTORS OR REPLACE THEM WITH THE SAME OEM JUNK. THE ONLY FIX I HAVE FOUND IT TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTERMARKET ROTORS AND PADS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424664September 11, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA W/ DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON CAR FROM FACTORY. WHILE DRIVING EARLY 4:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO STREETS LIGHTS. I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WITHIN A SECOND ALL EXTERIOR, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN OUT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NOT THE CONSUMER. NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I PRAY THAT YOUR JUST NOT ENTERING THESE COMPLAINTS INTO THE DATA BASE, BUT LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT YOU CARE AND ARE WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO, NOTICE THAT WHILE LOOKING FOR RECALL ON THIS MATTER THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINT ON THIS MULTIFUNCTION. CONSUMER'S CAN'T FIX THIS WITHOUT A LOT EXPENSES AND REMOVE AIRBAGS. WILL YOU DO YOUR BEST ON RECALLING OR GETTING RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423850September 6, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE IMPALA HAS BRAKES THAT HAVE A LOT OF CHATTER. THE BRAKES PULSATE AND HAVE A VIOLENT SHAKING FIT. I HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 66,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED WITHIN 15000 MILES AND IT CONTINUES. THE QUALITY IS POOR AND IS A ROAD HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420935August 22, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 CHEVY IMPALA , SOMETIMES IT WON'T START, AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419894August 17, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419209August 12, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE DUE TO BROKEN GLASS. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10417957August 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 IMPALA IGNITION SWITCH FAILS EVERY 2-3 YEARS. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OR NOT START. THIS PART IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY TO BE FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414629July 22, 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
#10413874July 21, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 CHEVY IMPALA SECURITY LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LIGHT WILL TURN OFF SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING OR SOMETIMES AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAN GO AT THE LONGEST A WEEK BETWEEN LIGHT COMING BACK ON AGAIN. CAR WITHOUT WARNING DID NOT START. TURNED KEY LIGHTS WORKED RADIO WORKED AND AC BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412187July 13, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTAKE GASKET BLOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411857July 11, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BCM - BODY CONTROL MODULE - 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. STARTED WITH FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS, THEN RADIO WENT OUT, THEN CAR WILL NOT START. NEW BCM ORDERED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404024June 1, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON CAR FROM FACTORY. WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON EVENING SHE LOST ALL HER HEADLIGHTS AND THEY COULDN'T EVEN BE TURNED ON MANUALLY. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR SOME STREET LIGHTS IN HER LOCATION SHE MIGHT HAVE LOST CONTROL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. A GM REPLACEMENT PART WAS QUOTED TO ME AT $500 PLUS INSTALLATION. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM AS I UNDERSTAND FROM MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS COMMON. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND COSTLY TO FIX. THE AVERAGE PERSON CANNOT FIX THIS SWITCH BECAUSE IT INVOLVES REMOVING THE AIR BAG FIRST. SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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