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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,856 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Impala brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #19

Nov 182021

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hey my name is [XXX] I recently took my Chevy impala for repairs they told me I need more repairs done I-??m like cool my bottom of my car is rusted n my struts are bad n my oil pump n other stuff is not working as well I-??m when I gave Chevy a call ball they took my they manager not to bring the car back I-??m kinda upset bout this whole thing idk cause they had to fix my head gasket for free but I need help getting these thing fixes. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #18

Feb 172021

Impala

  • 119,022 miles
Vehicle shuts off when moving, turning or stopped at a traffic light. By switching to neutral, the engine may start after 1 or more tries. So far the failures have been on city streets and highways. But not interstates. The failures are many but unpredictable.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #17

Mar 012019

Impala

  • 135,000 miles
Rear right brake line leaking fluid. This could be a fatal accident if I was on the highway. My 2003 Chevy Impala rear right brake line is rusted badly. The brake line actually rubbing against an across line that has a bunch of electric lines bundled together which is going over the rusted brake line and ends up causing the brake line worn out and brake fluid leakage. This could be a serious safety issue. Is it possible the administration could conduct a research on the model of this car for this issue?

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #16

Apr 212018

Impala

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My air bag lights are on all the time, I have to change my brakes ever 2 months bc they start to lock up and go through brake pads like nothing. I also have electronical problems my blinkers work when they want to an when it starts to not work my lights dim if the radio is on it turns down it's happening more an more

- Peru, NY, USA

problem #15

Oct 102016

Impala

  • 90,000 miles
This problem a started happening around 90000 miles. While I was going around a right turn the traction action would come on. Now it seems sometimes when I am just driving down a straight road. I can also feel my ABS come on when trying to stop.

- Dickson City, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 202016

Impala

  • 150,000 miles
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

- Scottsboro, AL, USA

problem #13

Oct 142015

Impala

  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated the vehicle increased speed violently once the brake pedal was released. The accelerator pedal was not depressed. The contact pulled over, shut the ignition off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact was a mechanic and stated that the throttle position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 1/12/16

- Hermiston, OR, USA

problem #12

Jun 012013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
My 2003 Impala has a security passlock feature which either does not allow vehicle to start or shut vehicle off when it thinks it's being stolen. My vehicle randomly shuts off while driving when this security light comes on, at this point I lose all control of vehicle functions. This is an apparent problem with thousands os GM vehicles that they know about but give no solution or recall to. Instead, consumers are being stuck footing the bill to try and find a solution to a problem no one seems to know how to solve. Please help hold GM responsible and repair our vehicles before fatalities occur. There are pages of posts in several forums online with people having the same issue with no help.

- Belvidere, IL, USA

problem #11

Sep 122014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 103,407 miles
Driver observed traffic coming to a stop, his brakes gave out, he could not steer left or right to avoid a car in front of him which caused him to rear-end the unit. His air-bag did not deploy.

- Pleasant Grove, AL, USA

problem #10

Aug 202014

Impala

  • 80,300 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the traction and brake warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked during acceleration. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The dealer stated that the hub sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred three days later. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,300.

- Star, NC, USA

problem #9

Jun 122013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

(3) problems that are, and have been, occuring. 1) security issue: Car will not start when key is turn to start. Happens randomly. Have to let security reset itself after 10 minutes and car will start again. 2) ABS light on: Random. Brakes will grind at certain times when braking. Harness and/or sensor problem. 3) traction control light on: Traction kciks in when driving for no apparent reason. Have to turn tractoin off for it to stop.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 022012

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
The service traction control light is on the dash panel and my car started to shake and pull to one side when the brakes were applied. The problem quickly grew into the cat constantly pulls to one side and the steering feels sloppy and loose if that makes sense. The traction control doesn't work but will randomly kick in while driving and the car instantly feels as if the brakes are being applied and grinder but the worse part is how the pulling to one side becomes a quick grab and jerk to one side and has nearly caused me several accidents and I cannot relax and drive. I am always tense and ready to fight to keep my car going straight and now with the bad Michigan winter its impossible to drive on some days. I've been told that I need a new traction control pump which is going to cost around $2500 and up depending on what they find but will automatically start at $2500. That cost is ridiculous and I have talked to prob approx a hundred people who either had the same problem or knew of someone who does, over the past few years. My car is now parked and I have to beg for rides to work because its winter and I cannot put myself and others in danger with this issue. I have to work and Transport kids to different events and feel that this part has to be defective from the start if there's that many people with this same issue. And all of the same exact complaints found online. Please I'm begging you to check into this issue to see if a recall is necessary. Thank you so much.

- Ravenna, MI, USA

problem #7

Oct 292013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 102,500 miles
Driving said vehicle thankfully at low speed when all of the sudden the brakes went to the floor. Pulled over at saw brake fluid. Looked under vehicle saw rotted out brake lines with a big hole in one of them and the other is just as rusted. I consider this a great safety issue. Due to it happens suddenly. Note: I saw on abc new and on the internet there is an issue with GM trucks as well. It now seems its not just trucks. I keep my car in great shape and have it serviced at the dealer and never was informed of a problem with my brake lines. Thank-you for your time.

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

problem #6

Aug 102012

Impala 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
At any time whether turning or proceeding forward at various speeds traction activates and stays on. I have just learned of this recall website. I have owned this car since 2006, 10,000miles and have never received any recall information. What do I have to do to get all recall info so I can take to dealership and get fixed whatever needs to be fixed? also whenever it rains the floor on drivers side front seat fills with water. This has been happening since 2006. Please email or send letter for my recalls.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #5

Jun 212012

Impala

  • 112,324 miles
Anti-locking braking system, traction control, and vsa light comes on under normal driving conditions. Anti-lock system engages and pulsates when the brakes are applied at various speeds and also the vehicle doesn't' accelerate if depressing the accelerator. This could or will cause a serious accident if the system is not fixed immediately. Suspect the wheel speed sensor which is built into the wheel hub. I am requesting this issue be repaired and the factory expense since this is a safety issue and a very well know documented case.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #4

Jan 082013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 19,840 miles
Brake line from master cylinder blew, brake fluid leaked and brakes failed. Brake warning light did not come on until brakes were inoperable. Line was found to be rusted through. This is a known problem and is a major safety issue. Brake warning light should come on immediately when a brake line ruptures to give the driver time to stop before brakes fail completely.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 092008

Impala 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
ABS traction control lights on intermittently for 3 years. Had this checked by dealer numerous times and was not able to diagnose a problem. The lights now stay on for the last 8 months.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #2

Jul 232012

Impala

  • 276,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the ABS and the service traction soon lights illuminated. The vehicle independently turned the traction off. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 276,000.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 152011

Impala

  • 112,878 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While parked the contact noticed the ABS, check traction system and trac off warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. There was also a grinding noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic stated the front passenger side hub bearing assembly would have to be replaced. After the repair the warning lights continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic. The front drivers side hub assembly was replaced. The light continued to illuminate after the repair. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic a third time. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,878.

- East Marion, NY, USA

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