2003 Chevrolet Impala Complaint Log

HEATER QUIT WORKING, THEN CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. TURNING OFF HEATER/DEFROSTER CAUSES IT TO STOP OVERHEATING SO MUCH, BUT TEMPERATURE STILL RISES WHEN WAITING AT LIGHTS. CAR IS ALSO NEEDING OIL REPLACEMENT, AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS AND 1500 MI AGO. MILEAGE IS AROUND 60,000. THERE IS OIL LEAKING OUT IN VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE ENGINE. *JB

HEATER QUIT WORKING, THEN CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. TURNING OFF HEATER/DEFROSTER CAUSES IT TO STOP OVERHEATING SO MUCH, BUT TEMPERATURE STILL RISES WHEN WAITING AT LIGHTS. CAR IS ALSO NEEDING OIL REPLACEMENT, AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS AND 1500 MI AGO. MILEAGE IS AROUND 60,000. THERE IS OIL LEAKING OUT IN VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE ENGINE. *JB

2003 IMPALA LS - HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. JUST SHUT OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS ENGAGED OR NOT. INTERMITTENT FAILURE, SOMETIMES NOT FOR TWO HOURS, SOMETIME EVERY FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES WHEN SWITCHING LOW TO HIGH BEAMS, NO SPECIFIC SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS APPEAR TO REMAIN ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL. SOMETIMES CAN GET HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BY SWITCHING OFF AND ON AGAIN, SOMETIMES BY FLASHING LOW TO HIGH, BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS COME BACK ON REGARDLESS OF ACTION. SOMETIMES JUST HAVE TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL DAYLIGHT. CAR HAD JUST OVER 44,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. DROVE FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT NEVER AT NIGHT, SO NOT EXACTLY SURE OF MILEAGE OF FIRST INCIDENT. HAPPENED SECOND TIME I DROVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. UNABLE TO REPEAT INCIDENT AT DEALER, BUT CAR WAS IN "PARK" WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT, AND IT WAS DAYTIME. IT COULD BE HAPPENING WHILE DAYTIME, TOO, BUT I CAN'T TELL FROM INSIDE THE CAR. I COULD GET A TICKET IN MARYLAND FOR DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BREAK ROTORS WERE CRACKED. THE BREAK ROTORS AND BREAK PADS WERE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. A CODE INDICATED THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE MULTI FUNCTION HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES OVER A MONTH SPAN. DEALER REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION HEADLIHTS. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. THIS FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE. DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK, THE DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED. ALSO THE KEYLESS ENTRY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR REPROGRAMMING. THIS ONLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SIR COIL AND THEN DETERMINED THE AIR BAG WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 02V222000, REGARDING THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/28/06/. *JB

I OWN CHEVROLET IMPALA WHICH IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THE COOLANT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 MILES OR MORE. BUT THE SYSTEM HAS PROBLEMS AND IT LEAKS. THE CAR GETS OVERHEATED AND PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD. *NM

AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES THE BRAKE WARNING TAB STARTED MAKING THE SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICE. I WAS EXPECTING JUST PADS WERE NEEDED, BUT NOT THE CASE. I WAS TOLD AND SHOWN THE ROTORS HAD WORN DOWN TOO FAR TO CUT. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE BELOW SAFE DEPTH. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WITH ONLY 45,000 ON THE CAR. THE ROTORS WERE JUNKED AND MY REPAIR BILL WENT TO TWICE AS MUCH. IS THIS AMERICAN QUALITY OR WHAT! OTHER THAN THIS, I HAVE AND DO LIKE MY IMPALA. CHEVY COULD CALL AND MAKE THIS RIGHT WOULD PUT THING 100% RIGHT WITH ME. WILL THEY DO THAT??? JB

IGNITION - KEY WOULD NOT TURN. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR. WARM , SUNNY DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CAUSE: FROZEN LOCK CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR THREE (3) DAYS TO ORDER PART, REPROGRAM AND REPLACE. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD THREE (3) OTHER CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM DURING THAT ONE WEEK! SAFETY: THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE SUCH AS WHILE PUMPING GAS OR STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSEQUENCE: CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I LOST THREE (3) DAYS USE OF MY CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SIR COIL AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DEPLOYMENT LOOP, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE SYSTEMS WOULD FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED THE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY.

EXPERIENCED ENGINE TEMP FLUCTUATIONS DURING THIS TIME THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK, AFTER THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND WARMED UP PROBLEM WOULD STOP. CAR HEATED UP TO JUST BELOW THE OVER HEAT POINT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP THEY STATED THE INTAKE GASKET NEED TO BE REPLACED ($900.00). THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE HIGH BEAM WAS ENGAGED. THE FIRST TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ENGAGED. THE SECOND TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT CAME BACK ON AFTER THE DIMMER SWITCH WAS PRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. *AK UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM

OUR 2003 IMPALA LS @ 50K MILES HAD A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THAT GREATLY INCREASED WITH HARDER BRAKING AND ALSO A STEADY VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END THAT INCREASED AS SPEED INCREASED. MY RETIRED FATHER IN LAW BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, BRIAN HARRIS CHEVROLET IN BATON ROUGE, LA AND HE FELT THAT HE WAS TREATED POORLY BY THE SERVICE DEPT. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO ALL STAR CHEVROLET WHERE WE WERE TREATED PROFESSIONALLY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND WARPED ROTORS, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT WAS APPROVED BY THE WARRANTY CARRIER, WHICH COULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS. THEY SAID THAT RENTAL CAR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE MADE IF WARRANTY REPAIR WAS APPROVED. WE PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND PICKED UP OUR CAR AND THEN TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH FOR YEARS AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. THEY RESURFACED THE BRAKE ROTOR AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW @ 80K MILES WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME WARPED ROTOR PROBLEMS AGAIN. *NM

PUNGENT SMELL COMING FROM THE A/C WHEN ON COLD. FILTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *NM

DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER QUIT MOVING AND GOT BENT BY THE OTHER WIPER HITTING IT , SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF TURNING THEM ON WHEN THERE WAS TOO MUCH SNOW ON THEM. THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE ARM, WHICH WAS STRIPPED. IT WORKED OK FOR A WHILE, THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE QUIT AGAIN, BEFORE IT SNOWED. TOOK OFF ARM AND SAW THAT THE ARM WAS STRIPPED AGAIN. SWITCHED THE ARMS SO I'D HAVE AT LEAST ONE WORKING WIPER. *NM

TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, TOLD THAT LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING BAD AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS COOLANT FLUSH. TOTAL FOR REPAIR IS $1450. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 83K MILES. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LOCKS WERE MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. WHEN HE TRIED TO LOCK THE DOORS, THEY WOULD SLOWLY UNLOCK. THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE BCM, AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATE IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES ITSELF WHEN CLIMBING MODERATE RISES IN ROAD. *JB

BRIGHTS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF WITHOUT NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO MAKE THE SWITCH WORK, RESULTING IN A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS, AND SELF DUE TO DISTRACTION. *JB

AT APP. 32,000 MILES I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE 2 ROTORS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 IMPALA, NOT DRIVEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE TERRAIN IS FLAT, MILD WINTERS WITH LITTLE ROAD SALT EXPOSURE. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *NM

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

I OWN A 2003 IMPALA I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FIXED TWICE STILL PLEASED OVERALL. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANTI-FREEZE IN MY CAR. I CALLED A SPOKE TO A SERVICE TECH HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY HAD A LEAK SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT IT IN HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A HAIR LINE CRACK IN MY GASKET AND I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY DID MY LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON. WHY DID I HAVE TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN? AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FIND I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING A COOLANT CONCERN. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO MORE CAREFULLY. IT IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM IN THE 2003 IMPALA AND THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *NM

VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. REFER TO ODI # 10134740. SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE FROM PASSENGER DOOR TO THE BUMPER. *JB

FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 3.4.L. *JB

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

MY BATTERY HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE HAVING TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR TO GET ASSISTANCE. EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BATTERY WOULD FAIL SO SOON AND THEN THEY PUT IN A NEW ONE. *JB

ENGINE STARTED MAKING UNUSUAL CLANKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE THE PART BUT NOT AVAILABLE OUT OF STOCK TRIED SEVERAL DEALERS SAME OUTCOME TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE CHANGING THE FRONT BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THE REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE ROTORS MAY HAVE RUSTED DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENT. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER STRESS (I.E. ON STEEP INCLINES), THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF. IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER SWITCHES BETWEEN DIM AND BRIGHT. ON ONCE OCCASION, WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT UP A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A CARLOAD OF TEENAGERS, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR AT LEAST AN ENTIRE MINUTE IN AN AREA WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AT WRIKER IN WINCHESTER, TN WITHOUT SUCCESS. *NM

RE: CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 PURCHASED 4/7/2003 VIN [XXX] IN GENERAL I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE ABOVE, BUT I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASE THE CAR AND IT ONLY HAS 11,225 MILES OF DRIVING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY APARTMENT IS ON THE BEACH SO I PARK CLOSE TO THE OCEAN ABOUT 8 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 6,289 MILES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A VIBRATION OR GRABBING FEELING UNLIKE NORMAL SMOOTH BRAKING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET IN QUINCY, MA ON AUG 16, 2004. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BRAKES WERE RUSTED OR PITTED AND NEEDED TO BE GROUND DOWN OR REPLACED (SEE COPY OF WORK ORDER FROM QUIRK ATTACHED). I ASKED HIM HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE MECHANISM IS EXPOSED TO THE AIR AND NOT PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, SO THAT THE SALT AIR FROM THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PITTING IN THE BRAKES. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 11,225 MILES WHEN THE SAME FEELING IN BRAKING WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIR AT QUIRK AND THEY REPORTED ''INSPECTED AND FOUND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES RUSTED BADLY, REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE COST ABOUT $725! PS: I TALKED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, VIKIE SMITH AT 1 800 222 1020 REGARDING THIS MATTER ON THIS DATE AND SHE STARTED A FILE OR REPORT IN THE COMPUTER AT THAT TIME. HER DIRECT LINE IS 866 932 4368 EXT 35336, FILE NUMBER [XXX]. ON THIS DATE WE HAD A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE QUIRK SERVICE DEPT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVE ON THE BEACH AND I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH TO KEEP THE RUST FROM BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKES. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

BRAKES FADE WHEN STOPPING HARD. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN COMPLETING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING) BUT HAD NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,330.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SHE GOT OUT AND SMELLED GASOLINE. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A DIFFERENT VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE. THEN THE SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND THEY COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE CHARCOAL FUEL PURGE CANISTER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER NOT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE HOT WATER HEATER. ALSO, STATED THAT IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN, SHE SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 18, 2005 ON A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRWAY CHEVROLET FOR SERVICE AT 3100 EAST SAHARA AVENUE, LAS VEGAS NV 89104.*AK *JB

2003 IMPALA. BRAKES STARTED TO PULSATE SEVERELY AT SLIGHTLY OVER 36000 MILES. SINCE BRAKE PROBLEMS ARE USUALLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (AND IT HAD EXPIRED ANYHOW), I TOOK IT TO A LOCALLY RELIABLE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. HE SUSPECTED A WARPED FRONT ROTOR (AS I DID ALSO). REMOVED AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE PULSATION WAS STILL THERE. REMOVED BOTH REAR ROTORS. BOTH WERE BADLY SCORED ON THE INSIDE - NOT VISIBLE DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, BOTH ROTORS WERE PARTIALLY CRYSTALIZED, AGAIN ON THE INSIDE. THE PADS HERE WERE ALSO SCORED BADLY. AFTER READING REPORTS ON 2003 IMPALAS ON MYCARSTATS.COM, I DECIDED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST THERE, ALL SIMILAR IN NATURE. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO START WHEN THE KEY IS ENGAGED, HAPPENS AT RANDOM BUT OFTEN INCONVENIENT TIMES. AFTER TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES WILL USUALLY START. *TR

IN JANUARY 2004 WE PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET'S PROGRAM CAR FLEET, [XXX]. THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS UP TO 36,000 MILES. UNTIL THE PAST 2 WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 17, 2005 MY WIFE, HER MOTHER AND OUR TWO CHILDREN, (4 YRS. AND 10 MONTHS OLD), WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 85 SOUTH COMING TO MONTGOMERY FROM ATLANTA WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND LOSES ALL POWER. MY WIFE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, AT 70 MPH SHE HAD TO WRESTLE THE WHEEL AND STAND ON THE BRAKES TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT, THE VEHICLE CRANKS UP FINE AND SHE COMPLETES THE TRIP. FOLLOWING THE TOTAL POWER SHUTDOWN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET FOR REPAIR. MR. DONALD BARBER WAS THE ASSOCIATE WHO WAS OUR SERVICE CONSULTANT. HE EXPLAINED TO MY WIFE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS SITUATION BEFORE. THAT, WAS OF GREAT CONCERN WITH ME. HAS THIS PROBLEM CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH TO ANOTHER CONSUMER? I AM WRITING A LETTER TO ROBERT LANGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SAFETY FOR GENERAL MOTORS, AND I WILL BE COPYING THE NHTSA WITH THE LETTER. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISSTANCE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 25,500 MILES, THE BATTERY CORRODED THROUGH AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. ACID LEAKED FROM THE BATTERY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. IN TALKING TO THE MANAGER AT SEARS, WHERE I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, 8 OUT OF 10 AC DELCO BATTERIES THAT THEY REPLACE, FAIL THIS WAY. IN TALKING TO CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGERS, THEY SEE THIS QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT AC DELCO NOW HAS BATTERIES MADE OFF SHORE. HOW LONG BEFORE CRITICAL SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED?

DT: CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE METAL TO METAL. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JIMS MUFFLERS TO GET THE BRAKES FIXED. THE MECHANIC TOOK OFF ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED THE CONSUMER THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AND PADS. THE MECHANIC THE CLEANED CALIPERS. THE CONSUMER SPENT ABOUT $500.00 FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE BRAKES HE STATED THAT THEY LOOKED AS IF THEY HAD SAT IN WATER. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN WATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MAYBE THE ROTORS OR CALIPERS WERE CONTAMINATED BECAUSE BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE LOOKED THAT BAD FOR THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE ROTORS WERE SO RUSTY.*AK *JB

ON THE AFTERNOON OF MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2004, I WAS DRIVING A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA DOWN HADDONFIELD ROAD IN CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY WHEN, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, ITS SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO ZERO, ITS BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE, AND ITS STEERING WHEEL BECAME RIGID AND VIRTUALLY UN-TURNABLE. I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY, THE INCIDENT DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT SUCH AN INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR, WITH THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRING IN OR AROUND JULY 2004. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.

THE CONSUMER HAS TWO VEHICLES A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA BOTH ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE IMPALA HAD BADLY WARPED ROTORS ON THE RIGHT REAR. ONLY ONE ROTOR WAS BADLY WARPED. BOTH REAR ROTORS WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY RUINED THE BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18K MILES ON IT. THE SUBURBAN HAD 33K MILES WHEN THE BRAKES PRODUCED A SERIOUS GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. THE ROTORS WERE SO BADLY CORRODED THAT THEY DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING. THE WEAR SENSORS WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE DESTROYED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL AGAINST THE METAL ON ONE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS AND GMC PICK-UPS. 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA VIN: [XXX] AND 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN VIN: [XXX]. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONSUMER IS COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ABSENCE OF CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA.*MR CONSUMER'S CHILD FELL OUT OF THE BACK SEAT, HIT HER FACE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR FRAME, THEN FELL FACE FIRST ON TO THE ROCKS WHICH HAD TO BE HAND PICKED OUT OF HER FACE. WHILE HER FACE ON THE GROUND THE AUTOMATIC CLOSING DOORS WERE CLOSING ON HER LEGS, PREVENTING HER FROM REMOVING HERSELF FROM THIS HORRIBLE POSITION. NOTIFIED GM ABOUT THE CAR NOT HAVE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS. *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1 AND 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (01-02-32001H) REGARDING THIS SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

THIS IS NOT IN REPECT TO A ACCIDENT OR PART FAILURE. BUT I READ TODAY IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO GM TRUCKS IN THE SALT-BELT THAT HAD IMPROPER CORROSION ON THE BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. I JUST BROUGHT MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA FOR A TIRE ROTATION AT MY CALIFORNIA MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED MY THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE SHOWING AN UNUSUAL CORROSION. HE SAID THAT ROAD SALT IN ILLINOIS, WHERE THE CAR IS USED 50% OF THE YEAR, MAY HAVE BEEN A REASON, BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE USUAL CORROSION HE IS USED TO SEEING ON SALT BELT CARS. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PULSING RATHER STRANGELY AND MY BRAKING DISTANCE SEEMS INCREASED SINCE THE LAST TIME I LEFT ILLINOIS. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE OTHER NON-TRUCK COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE, GIVEN THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MY EXPERIANCE AND THE TRUCK INVESTIGATION?

BOUGHT IMPALA 2003 THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY, RETURNED TO HAVE FIXED, SAID IT WAS WORKING. IT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DURING WARMER MONTHS THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, HAD TO OPEN FROM FRONT DOOR REACHING AROUND TO BACK. THEY NOTED NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM.. MY WARRENTY RAN OUT, TWO MONTHS LATER PASSANGER SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE OTHER DRIVERS SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM, VERY VERY CHEAPLY MADE. THE FRONT DOOR HANDLES AT TIMES STICK AND ARE ALSO HARD TO OPEN. THIS ISNT A ISOLATED INCIDENT, ALL THE HANDLES SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I AM WAITING FOR THE DAY I CANNOT OPEN ANY OF THEM. CHEVROLET HAS IGNORED MY COMPLAINTS. THE GEARS INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR PANEL WAS NEVER OILED. OVERLOOKED, TOO QUICK TO MAKE AND MASS PRODUCE. I AM VERY VERY UNHAPPY!*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/20/14 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE SWITCHED OFF THEN ON IN ORDER TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING THE DAY ALSO. UPDATED 5/5/2015 *JS

TOOK CAR TO HAVE A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE, I GET A PHONE CALL INFORMING THAT I NEED MAJOR WORK DONE. I PURCHASED MY CHEVROLET IMPALA IN 2003, AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD I HAVE ALMOST A THOUSAND DOLLARS OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT A CLOSE RELATIVE AND A NEIGHBOR WHO ALSO HAVE 2003, CHEVROLET VEHICLES (CARS) NEEDED THE SAME WORK DONE TO THEIR CAR. THE CARS COOLANT IS SOMEHOW MIXING WITH THE OIL, BECOMING A SLUDE LIKE SUBSTANCE CAUSING THE OIL TO DIRTY. THIS IS CAUSING ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS, THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT, AND THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE IS JUMPING FRANTICALLY. THREE DIFFERENT CARS, ALL THE SAME YEAR/MAKE, AND EGINE SETUP; I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN HERE SOMEWHERE.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE ENGINE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAD TO WAIT ANYWHERE FROM 15 MINUTES TO 1/2 BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RE-START. UPDATED 05/05/16.*JB

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS PROBLEMS WITH RADIO EQUIPMENT.*MR THE CD WOULD NOT EJECT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE RADIO WAS LINKED TO OTHER SAFETY FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE AND IF A REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS MADE BY ANYONE OTHER THAN GM IT MAY PERMANENTLY DISABLE THE FEATURES. *JB