Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2003)
695 consumer complaints on file.
- #10927368November 22, 2016AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. TH REPAIR COST WOULD HAVE EXCEEDED THE WORTH OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10927015November 18, 2016POWER TRAIN
APPROXIMATELY 75,0000 MILES, ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT APPEARING. I HAVE HAD 3 REPAIRS AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. AT 89,000MILES, THE LIGHTS APPEAR AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF OR TURN SHARPELY. THE WEATHER HAS NO AFFECT ON THIS, DRY OR WET. I PUSH THE TRACTION OFF BUTTON AND IT STOPS. THEN REAPPEARS. THE SOUND SCARES ME MAKING ME THINK THE CAR IS GOING TO STOP. HAPPENS WHEN I TURN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE STREET, TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT. NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 IMPALA, HUNDREDS INFACT. I HAVE SPEND OVER A $1,000. ON REPAIRS. HELP PLEASE, SOMETHING IS WRONG THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED. HAPPENING OVER A YEAR, 2015 TO 2016.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10926554November 16, 2016AIR BAGS
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT NO TRAFFIC. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY DESTROYING THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. NO CRASH TOOK PLACE. MADE A CLAIM WITH GM MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I AM AFRAID TO FIX THIS CAR AND DRIVE IT ANY LONGER. I DID HAVE THE ENGINE FIRE RECALL FIXED 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10925752November 14, 2016SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ABS, TRACTION, AND BREAK LIGHTS COME ON........ THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PADDLE ITS OFTEN LIKE THE BRAKES WANT TO LOCK UP , WITH A SCRUBBING SOUND.... ALSO WHEN I PUSH THE BREAK PADDLE DOWN IT OFTEN MAKES A SOUND AND THE BREAK PADDLE FEELS LIKE IT COMES BACK UP WITH THE BREAK STILL DOWN,.........BUT THEN WHEN I DRIVE LIKE 20-25 MILES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND HARDLY COME ON UNTIL I STOP AGAIN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10919327October 27, 2016EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10916532October 17, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10914381October 6, 2016EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WHEN SHE WENT TO PASS A TURNING VEHICLE PULLING A TRAILER AND WHEN SHE DID SO THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK CAUSING HER TO HIT THE REAR OF THE TRAILER WENT INTO THE DITCH WHERE THE CAR ROLLED ONTO THE ROOF. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM A WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WE STILL HAVE BEEN GETTING RECALL NOTICES FOR THE VEHICLE. GM REFUSES ANY LIABILITY IN THE CRASH.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10907385September 17, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AND ALLOW TO SHIFT. IT HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT. THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARNING LIGHT DINGS AND STAYS LIT. I MANUALLY TURN OFF ABS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE WIRING THRU OUT THE CAR HAS FAILED TO MY REARVIEW MIRROR, DOMELIGHTS AND RADIO PANEL. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT I AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10906745September 14, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START SOMETIMES WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. ALSO IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET ITSELF AND IT TAKES FOREVER
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10904683September 8, 2016AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION OCCURRED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, ROAD WAS DRY AND SMOOTH, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, ROAD WAS VERY FAMILIAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOOK VEHICLE TO WALTER JACKSON CHEVROLET IN RINGGOLD, GA FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE, THEY FOUND, WAS A PERSISTENT WATER LEAK BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED CORROSION AND CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS LEAK REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ATTEMPTS ONLY SUCCEEDED TEMPORARILY, IF AT ALL. FOUND FROM INTERNET SEARCHES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. AS I ALSO DRIVE A 2004 IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THE SAME LEAK, I AM CONCERNED THAT ITS AIRBAGS COULD ALSO DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CAR'S HISTORY, AS IT WAS PURCHASED FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES IT AT $2,000 AND REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED AT $4,000. FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF REPAIRS ON THE CAR, EXCEPTING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE: 12-20-2007- RIGHT SIDE COWL PANEL SEAL- TO FIX LEAK UNDER GLOVE BOX 5-15-2010- BODY REPAIR- GRASS FIRE GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BLISTER PAINT ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR BEFORE FIRE DEPT. PUT IT OUT. (WE WEREN'T THERE TO MOVE IT.) 11-19-2013- WINDSHIELD AND GASKET- LEAKING AGAIN. 5-13-2016- REPAIR WATER LEAK- LEAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT AFTER-MARKET FIXES ON THE INTERNET THAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED PEOPLE HAVE DEVISED, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SAFE FROM THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT ROLLS OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10895939August 15, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10893185August 4, 2016ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10892800August 3, 2016UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HEAD LIGHT LENS DETERIORATING AND DIMINISHING ABILITY TO SEE ROAD
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10885189July 16, 2016AIR BAGS
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.IT HAPPENED IN PHILADELPHIA ON HUNTING PARK AND FRONT
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10883499July 8, 2016ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY TURNING SIGNALS WORK ON AND OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER AND MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULDN'T WORK BUT THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER A DAY OR TWO THE RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD WORK BUT THEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WON'T WORK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WOULD BOTH WORK THEN BOTH STOP WORKING. NOW A MONTH HAS PASSED AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WORK MOST THE TIME, BUT WILL WORK FOR A HOT SECOND AND THEN STOP WORKING. THIS IS ONLY FOR THE REAR TURNING SIGNAL THOUGH THE FRONT TURNING SIGNAL HAVE ALWAYS WORKED PROPERLY AND STILL DO.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10882481July 4, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOAD HOME NOT NOWING WHAT THIS WAS AND HAS ALSO HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON THIS IS VERY INCONVIENT. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER IMPALA OWNERS AN DEALERS THIS IS COMMON IN THE CHEVY IMPALA'S. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL SEEING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE? I GAVE MY SON THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT WANT HIM STRAINDED AND I CANT KEEP REPLACING PARTS HOPING THAT WORKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10882087July 1, 2016ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOT A FAINT FUEL SMELL (NOT SEEN IN PAST). SHORTLY ANOTHER MOTORIST FLAGGED ME AND SAID HE SAW FLAMES UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND EVACUATED VEHICLE. SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED NO RECENT ENGINE WORK. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10877031June 27, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS NOT PLEASANT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHENEVER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE NEEDLES ON THE GAUGES MOVE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS LIT. I AM LEFT UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE TEMPERATURES RISE UP TO 120 PLUS DEGREES SO BEING "STUCK" TRYING TO START MY CAR IS NOT PLEASANT ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY CHILD WITH ME. SOMETIMES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTING IT WORKS BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK IS KICKING IN MORE THAN USUAL. IS THERE A WAY TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS SO I HAVE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10873468June 9, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10873485June 9, 2016ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
YES MY ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING AND IT MAKING MY CAR HOT AND I THINK MY OIL PAN IS FULL OF OIL EVERY TIME I PUT OIL IN IT IT RUN STRAIGHT OUT AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES STRAIGHT OR IT WILL JUST CUT COMPLETE OFF AND MY BRAKES IS GOING OUT THEY WANT STOP ON TIME
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0