Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Impala

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 935 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Safety risk

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V051000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
130
Reported to NHTSA
2003-02-14
Owners notified
2003-03-11

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
133,221
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-09
Owners notified
2002-08-15

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Safety risk

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system231100,003 mi
Engine88120,000 mi
Exterior lighting5798,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling4072,000 mi
Air bags28120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2744,800 mi
Steering2581,459 mi
Unknown or other23130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2121,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2025,053 mi
Service brakes19103,407 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1869,764 mi
Vehicle speed control18112,324 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1521,818 mi
Traction control system15100,000 mi
Power train14108,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)13100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system13140,322 mi
Air bags: frontal1232,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1098,000 mi
Structure109,269 mi
Suspension10112,878 mi
Electrical system: ignition9100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system943,030 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch950,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline950,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip920,400 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module794,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe745,242 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch734 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel665,000 mi
Equipment5114,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages556,000 mi
Structure: body599,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch474,000 mi
Seats4500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system445,000 mi
Wheels482,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery325,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor395,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch357,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal375,047 mi
Interior lighting3110,000 mi
Seat belts397,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light3117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector328,194 mi
Tires337,764 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control350,000 mi
Visibility3137,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core367,275 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window33,239 mi
Visibility: windshield328,194 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer341,000 mi
Child seat2102,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring244,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan29 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline260,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.277,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights228,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing250,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems245,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal255,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module161,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers110,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash13,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner130,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights113,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1—
Fuel system, diesel1200,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery141,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1100 mi
Fuel system, other1100,900 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock11,807 mi
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: axle hubs180,300 mi
Seat belts: front121,910 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler13,239 mi
Service brakes, electric158,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads116,000 mi
Steering: column12,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system130,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments128,194 mi
Structure: frame and members128,194 mi
Suspension: front13,700 mi
Suspension: front: hub1150,000 mi
Tires: bead1—
Visibility/wiper1124,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls185,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1100,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.