Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2003)

695 consumer complaints on file.

#10222013March 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME DURING EVENING HOURS ON A NARROW 2 LANE COUNTY ROAD WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TOTALLY TURNED OFF. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO MOVE ONTO. SHE TRIED TO OPERATE THE HEADLIGHTS MANUALLY WITH NO EFFECT. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED. SHE CALLED ME VIA CELL PHONE AND BEGAN TO EXPLAIN WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. SHE PROCEEDED TOWARD OUR HOME AND ABOUT 500 FEET FROM OUR DRIVEWAY THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER IDENTICAL INSTANCES WITH NO RESOLUTION AS THE PROBLEM APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY. AN INTERNET TECH SAID THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR A NON-RELATED PROBLEM ON 08/04/2006. I HAVE NOT YET CALLED THE DEALER THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THEIR DENIAL OF THE PREVIOUS BCM PROBLEM - THAT ONCE REPLACED AT MY INSISTENCE FIXED THAT PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION WITH HUGE POTENTIAL FOR HARM. MY WIFE WILL NOW NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT AND MUCH OF HER WORK (AND MINE) INVOLVES EVENING MEETINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220387March 7, 2008
STRUCTURE
I DISCOVERED ACCIDENTALLY THAT MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT MAY CAUSE SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE LEAD TO DEATH. IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL OF THE CAR IS A DEVICE THAT IS CALLED A BODY PRESSURE VALVE THAT VENTS CABIN PRESSURE. THE PROBLEM IS IT LETS SNOW AND RAIN IN THE STAGNANT WATER SITS IN YOUR FENDER AND IS A BREEDING GROWN FOR GERMS. THE DEALER WAS SHOCKED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND ASKED ME WHAT MADE ME THINK TO REMOVE THE CARPET AND LOOK IN THE FENDER. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS TAKE THE WATER OUT. STANDING WATER IN A FENDER WILL CAUSE A RUST PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM WHAT COULD BE DONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO PUT A NEW VALVE IN. THAT WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FLAP IS NOT AIR TIGHT AND IS VENTED WATER AND FUMES SUCH AS CARBON MONOXIDE CAN ENTER THE CAR THROUGH IT . THE EXHAUST IS ONLY 12 INCHES OR LESS FROM IT. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES DO NOT RUN THE CAR WHEN SITTING STILL LETS ME KNOW THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM . WE ALL HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO RUN CARS IN ENCLOSED BUILDINGS BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH. IF IDLING IN TRAFFIC ONE MUST BE ASTUTE ENOUGH TO KEEP THEIR VEHICLE FAN ON AND OUTSIDE AIR COMING INTO THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES SO NOT TO ALLOW THE CAR TO FILL UP WITH FUMES FROM THE TAIL PIPE THAT SITS BENEATH THE PRESSURE VALVE. WHAT A DUMB DESIGN. CAR WAS SERVICED ON 03/04/08 I WAS ALWAYS SPRAYING DEODORIZER IN THE TRUNK AND IT SMELLED LIKE A CESSPOOL AS FAR AS THE REST OF THIS REPORT GOES THE NUMBER OF FAILURES IS TOTAL FAILURE IT HAS NEVER WORKED AND COULD BE CONSTRUED TO BE CRIMINAL NEGLECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220168March 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 OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219053February 25, 2008
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY CAR FAILED TO RELEASE, RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF NOT USING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY, AND IT'S DESIGN CAUSES IT TO RUST OVER TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219076February 25, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219083February 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2007. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY FOR THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,868 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,407. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGANON ON MARCH 15,2008.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218246February 17, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WON'T WORK FOR THAT DAY OR LONGER, THEN IT WORKS AGAIN. JUST WONDERING IF IT IS THE FUSE OR THE MODULE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217666February 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED. THE FAILURE OCCURS APPROXIMATELY DURING EVERY TENTH START ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217428February 8, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WENT TO WORK EARLY ONE MORNING, WHEN I GOT OFF WORK GOT IN CAR, PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. HAD NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION AT ALL. I TRIED OTHER SPARE KEYS AND THEY ALSO WOULD NOT TURN IGNITION. A MECHANIC SAY THAT IT IS THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS FROZE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216840February 4, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216179January 26, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216001January 25, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215235January 17, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MILEAGE THE FIRST TIME WAS 18,368 WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEV DURAND MICHIGAN. FINDINGS WERE "ALL FOUR ROTORS HAD LATERAL RUNOUT BEYOND SPECS". THEY RESURFACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. MILEAGE SECOND TIME WAS 31,038 AND AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEVROLET DURAND MICHIGAN. WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE ROTORS AND QUESTIONED ME IF I WAS A 2 FOOT DRIVER. ALWAYS BLAME THE CONSUMER--THAT WAS SMART. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE GARAGE IN MY AREA AND GUESS WHAT AGAIN THEY HAD TO RESURFACE THE FRONT & REAR ROTORS. I WROTE TO GM'S CEO WAGONER DOCUMENTING ALL THE FACTS AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A YOUNG LADY WHO TOLD ME "THINGS WEAR OUT" . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215181January 16, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY BLACK IMPALA HAS CHIP IN THE PAINT. MY BLACK IMPALA HAS PLACES WHERE THE PAINT IS COMING OFF. HAVE NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER PAINT COLORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214693January 14, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES GO OUT, NO PATTERN DETECTED. RELAY IS SUSPECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213026December 28, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212967December 27, 2007
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 25,000 MILES. NOW AT 45,000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALSO, BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 25,000 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 45,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212401December 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210660December 3, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210473December 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PAN BOLTS LOOSEN EVERY 25,000 TO 30,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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