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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,785 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #230

Jan 012023

Impala

  • miles

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

I have a 2003 Chevrolet Impala! Look it up on the internet, and you will see that the failure rate of the GM passlock system is huge, and massively expensive to repair! In fact from a inside relative, says GM makes more money in parts, and repairs than on selling a new vehicle! This is without doubt a premeditated flow to rip off the public! This is in fact insensitive for GM to engineer a constant, and ongoing failure of the of its vehicles! This passlock defect can not be fixed by accessing the cars computer! It should be that easy but it is not a option. Being stranded by this defect is life threatening. The problem is the Passlock system that has failed for me, and hundreds of thousands owners of GM vehicles, and tens of millions of dollars in repairs that GM should be forced to repair, at no costs, past, and present to the owners, and including towing, and a rental car! The passlock defect, and failure completely locks up the cars entire electrical system, so the owner can not start, or even open the trunk of their car in a emergency! After it happens you can-??t even access the car radio to reset back to the original factory functions! Even if you disconnect the battery, to get this accomplished, it will be a short while before it happens again! It is crazy expensive just to diagnose this problem! Please note that this is not just a Impala problem! This passlock defect falling involves dozens of Models of all types, old, and new. These vehicles number in the many hundreds of thousands over decades! Many tens of millions of dollars in repairs, and hundreds of thousands waiting to happen! This needs to be addressed at a government level! We won-??t to see some consumer protection, and Justice! Thank you for your time, and consideration! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Allouez , MI, USA

problem #229

Aug 202020

Impala

  • 185,000 miles
Vehicle fire. Vehicle caught fire while cruising at highway speeds. Very dangerous. Vehicle is a total loss.

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #228

Sep 012018

Impala

  • miles
Vehicle didn't start, security light was flashing, was told to turn the key into the 'on' position and wait exactly 10 minutes before trying to start it. It worked, but the issue became worse and worse until it no longer started. Was then told to replace keys, did that, same issue. When blinkers were used, a loud buzzing noise occurred and every light on the dash lit up, the gear shift labels began flickering and the stereo did as well. The dealership has replaced the BCM and the ignition switch, and it had finally started, until I went to try to go somewhere. No one knows what is going on and multiple people have said that this issue is very common in this type of vehicle.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #227

Oct 132018

Impala

  • 47,000 miles

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

2003 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L is difficult to start, replaced many parts to try and fix: Fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs and wires, oxygen sensors, fuel evap valve, and throttle control. Vehicle currently has 52, xxx miles. Security light flashes, was able to pull error code P1626: Theft deterrent fuel enable signal not received. Keys are original to car, I have tried to re-learn keys to vehicle with no success. Numerous repairs are listed under this error code, including the replacement of the BCM, and this doesn't always fix the problem. This issue needs to be researched further.

- Burkburnett, TX, USA

problem #226

Apr 212018

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
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 #225

Nov 202018

Impala

  • miles
Vehicle will not start sometimes after driving will usually have to giggle the key in the ignition to get the vehicle started back up..NHTSA recall #14V400

- New Haven, MO, USA

problem #224

Feb 222018

Impala

  • miles

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

I recently received a alert from my credit karma stating that I had a recall on my 2003 Chevy Impala for a electrical system: Ignition recall #213545. I paid out of pocket to get this recall fixed back in Feb of this year and would like to know how can I get a reinbursment for that recall.

- Sebring, FL, USA

problem #223

May 282018

Impala

  • 120,000 miles
Under the hood fire and unintended key rotation. Maybe 5 days after I took my vehicle into tc Chevy (in ashland Oregon) to have the 2 recalls repaired on it. I tried to start my car and it caught on fire down by the front bumper and the flames made it to the back side of the motor and ignited the fuel lines causing a MINIexplosion under the hood, mean while I'm sitting in the driver's seat. I jumped out of the car nearly having the life scared out of me, I popped the hood and grabbed my house garden house and started to try and put the fire out and minimize the damage to my vehicle while I waited for the fire department to reach my house. The fire department showed up and was able to get the fire put out almost torching one of the firefighters head when the fuel pump kicked on without the keys in the ignition and started shooting gasoline reigniting the fire. I'm lucky the fire didn't burn down my house and my neighbor's house that day seeing how the fire caught the bush next door on fire and there was flames 14 ft in the air. See Chevy and GM have been trying to act like the fire and the damage to the vehicle is my own fault and none of their own even though the technician says none of the repairs were actually done. I've been trying to get an investigation done and they're trying to push my claim aside and sweep it under the rug. My vehicle was parked in my driveway at my home right next to a bush not my neighbor's house is right up against. Please look into this so that it doesn't get swept under the rug. Please help me. I also have the firefighters report.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #222

Apr 262018

Impala 6-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag would deploy. The vehicle was taken to coad Chevrolet in cape girardeau, Missouri, 573-335-5581 to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) in approximately April of 2017. The dealer provided the contact with a two key ring holder. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure according to specifications on the letter originally received, which specified that an insert in the key slot was supposed to be provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 8/28/18

- Jackson, MO, USA

problem #221

Nov 012017

Impala

  • 73,000 miles
Vehicle is in parked and im about to start the vehicle it seems to slowly fail or backfires during multiple times of trying. While in motion on the streets driving at 10-35 mph or in motion on hwy 40-65 mph the vehicle will shut off or sometimes it would loss power even if my foot is on the gas petal. On hwy this could cause a series accident

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #220

Mar 062017

Impala

  • miles

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

I've had allot of things replaced under the hood, I smell things burning, every mechanic tell me U have an electrical problem. My car has been down all cause electrical issues

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #219

Nov 112013

Impala 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,482 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact also stated that the keys could be removed from the ignition while the vehicle was in the on position and running. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The contact was concerned that the recall remedy was not sufficient. The vehicle was taken to East hills Chevrolet of douglaston (located at 240-02 northern blvd, douglaston, NY 11362, tel: (888)806-9064) where the ignition switch and ignition module were replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,482. Updated 10/18/17

- Queens Village, NY, USA

problem #218

Jun 102017

Impala

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start when the key was inserted in the ignition switch. After repeated attempts, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately 20 times. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown ignition switch recall back in 2014. The name of the dealer was not available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #217

Jan 102017

Impala

  • 189,000 miles
Chevy Impala lights don't work at night daytime lights work off and on high beams at night only.

- Peekskill, NY, USA

problem #216

Apr 172017

Impala

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and it did not start when the switch was turned. The contact called an independent mechanic who went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not available.

- Taunton, MA, USA

problem #215

Jan 152017

Impala

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the free repair failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Bushkill, PA, USA

problem #214

Jan 072017

Impala

  • miles
When I turn ignition switch on 10 times and finally star running engine then later I saw that airbags light on 5 mins self off all clusters but still running engine. Then, I turn off ignition then turn back on same things 15 times. I don't know what's wrong with car. The battery is good.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #213

Dec 232016

Impala

  • 224,000 miles
The fuel gauge is not working properly. I ran out of fuel while traveling on the Illinois highway 106. Luckily no other vehicle was near me at the time, as I lost all power controls on the vehicle at that time. The fuel gauge started fluctuating between full and empty and I had no idea how much fuel I had left, hoping to reach white hall, il to fill-up the gas tank.

- Winchester, IL, USA

problem #212

Apr 232016

Impala 6-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
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).

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #211

Feb 012016

Impala

  • miles
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.

- Baker, FL, USA

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