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.
Low-beam headlights have failed to come on and will no longer function. High-beams and daytime running lights still function, but at dusk the low-beams will fail to light; however high-beams can be used instead creating a traffic hazard. I replaced the multi-function switch with a new switch, and replaced the relay with a known good working relay. The relay will still work and actuate indicating that the relay is not the problem. I checked the bulbs and they are still good, fuses are fine, 12V positive power is present at the bulb, but the ground is not activated on either side at any time. All problems point to a bad body control module (BCM). I have checked online and there are many many complaints about this vehicle with the same problem. If the low-beam headlights fail on somebody while they are driving, it could cause a crash and with that comes the possibility of the fatality of the driver and passengers. The BCM computer is known to cause many problems with starting the vehicle, flashing the lights both interior and exterior and these will cause safety issues with the vehicle.
I purchased from valley Ford 4/18/2009 I have had nothing but trouble with it ever since I purchased it. I have had rocker arms replaced, pins, the aftermarket warranty company wouldn't replace them because they told me that it was not an internal problem, I have had pass lock problems which I had to get done, I just replaced the transmission in 2012 the computer on the car read that it was shift solenoids when it turned out to be the transmission. Now as of the past three months my low beam head lamps will not come on.the day time running lamps work but when it gets dark they shut off & the parking lamps stay on. The only way I will be able to drive is to hold the turn signal towards me, its not the bulbs they have been replaced & its not the fuses and no one seems to know what the problem. My cruise control light flashes on and off while im driving & while the switch is off & also my check engine light flashes on & off but when I take it to auto part store to have it hooked up to the machine it doesn't read anything.....I ask that you guys can please help me with this car, & I also have proof of everything I just wrote receipts and all.
Got this car new 2003, at 376 miles had brake problems, had it back to dealer 10 or 11 times for same problem, so about every 3-4 months I have to turn rotors or get new one's+brake pads, also dash lights are out, as the car is out of warranty now, this is the worst car I ever owned, as I am a retired otr truck driver, so I dont misuse brakes.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving 60 mph when the headlights failed to illuminate. The headlights continued to fail until the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,139.
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Impala w/ day time running lights on car from factory. While driving early 4:00 am in the morning, through the mountains with no streets lights. I put my high beams on. Within a second all exterior, and interior lights when out. This is totally unsafe and hazardous. The manufacture should be responsible for this not the consumer. Need to have a recall on this. This a malfunction problem that needs to be addressed, before someone gets seriously hurt. I pray that your just not entering these complaints into the data base, but letting the consumer know that you care and are working on this problem. I also, notice that while looking for recall on this matter there's a lot of complaint on this multifunction. Consumer's can't fix this without a lot expenses and remove airbags. Will you do your best on recalling or getting recalls on this problem.
- Saint Johnsbury, VT, USA
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I have a 2003 Chevy Impala with the day time running lights on car from factory. While my daughter was driving on evening she lost all her headlights and they couldn't even be turned on manually. Had it not been for some street lights in her location she might have lost control of car. The problem was diagnosed as being in the multifunction switch in the steering column. A GM replacement part was quoted to me at $500 plus installation. This should have been a recall item as I understand from my mechanic that it is common. It is very unsafe and costly to fix. The average person cannot fix this switch because it involves removing the air bag first. Should look into this before someone gets seriously injured.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the hazard warning lights had become inoperable and the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
When switch is pulled to put on bright lights all lights go off, leaving me driving at night with absolutely no lights. Wiggling, jiggling, or moving the switch eventually puts the low beam lights back on. Had this fixed at a cost to me of more than $600. I purchased this car new and have every service record on it, can prove it was well maintained and not abused. Even have saved failed part from this service. Have seen a vast number of complaints with this same problem listed on web. I was lucky, the next person might not be so lucky. At the very least people who own this make/model need to be made aware of the potential for this to happen. I would not like to see this happen to my grandmother or other loved one.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. Whenever the parking lights were turned on the headlights shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed her that there was no warranty or recall related to the failure and the repair cost was $500. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Headlights randomly turn off at night while driving my 2003 Impala. Nothing I do seems to help them come back on. I have pulled over and tried to manually turn them on, I have turned off my car and restarted, I have hit the switch to go from bright to dim. Nothing has helped. They eventually come back on. This has happened maybe three times so far. I have no clue as to when this started but since you are making me pick a date I did. It would probably happen more but I quit driving my car at night for the fear of it happening again! have never taken it to the shop to have fixed since I am married to a mechanic. However he has yet to bother trying to fix it or see what could be wrong either.
Headlights would not come back on after high beams were used on a back road in the middle of the night. Checked connections and spark plugs and they were not the issue. Believe it is a faulty switch after doing some research.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph and making a left turn, the head lights suddenly shut off. The headlights then illuminated when the contact drove up a hill but then turned off again when a turn was made. The dealer stated that they could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000 and the current mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 40 mph he attempted to open the rear passenger side window but it would not open. The failure continued to occur intermittently. He also mentioned that the headlights would flicker intermittently while driving various speeds and the door locks would also malfunction. The contact could only manually unlock the doors. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failures. He replaced the alternator himself but the failures continued to recur. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vcm needed to be replaced, but it was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.
My high beam switch doesn't work in my Impala. My car is either an 02 or 03 and, after looking this up online, im seeing that there are a ton of other complaints. This is very obviously an engineering or negligence issue with the company. When driving at night, on occasion, if I switch my low/high beams, the lights may or may not go completely out. I have to switch them on and off again, maybe a few times, to get them to come back on. This poses a serious safety hazard since it could take a few seconds to get them to come back on.
I just bought a 2003 Chevy Impala ls. On my way home I turn on my brights and when I went to shut them off it turned all my lights off and they wont come back on. My lights will only come on when in the brights position and will still shut off occasionally. I have read countless comment by people with the exact same problem in the 15 min I've been online searching this before I stumbled onto this website. There should be a recall on this seeing as driving at night and your lights just randomly shut off that could be very dangerous and potentially deadly if not already!
Vehicle would fail to start however after 10 minutes would start. High beam out indicator will illuminate but at the same time both high beam headlights are stuck on and will not go off. Multiple diagnostics no problem found. Replaced, BCM ok for a week problem returned. Dealership stumped.
2003 Chevy Impala. Passlock stystem thinks the car is being stolen, disabling the ignition for up to 30 minutes at a time. Sometimes leaving you stranded. Also ABS and trac control system failure at 100,00 miles. No more ABS or trac control as parts are over $3,000. Oil spill out of filler neck onto exhaust manifold, and recall only moved spark plug wires, oil problem still exists. Interior dash lights dim to complete darkeness, or super birght at all different times. Issue is the dimmer switch. Piss poor design by GM. They should be banned from selling vehicles until they pull their heads out of their [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I own a 2003 chev. Impala, ls and cannot drive with the bright lights on as they only remain on 3-to-5 minutes and go out completely. This is very nerve wracking and dangerous. Thus, I no longer use high beam and was told a new switch for $500 plus installation was needed. This has occurred since I purchased with warranty left, but thought it was just a once or twice occurrence.
Recurring problem: When clicking from low beam to high beam or high/low using the turn signal arm the headlights go out unexpectedly. I've been forced to travel with the fog lights on to insure that I have some vision when switching high/low. Extremely dangerous to be traveling at highway speed and losing your headlights! I have found over 30 similar complaints on-line without to much searching effort. Many of the respondents have said that repair/replacement of the turn signal arm runs about $700. In visiting with my dealer he has indicated he has not heard of this problem--but my research indicates it occurs often? the most recent incident occurred in late Dec. 2009. We are hesitant to use this vehicle after dark due to the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lansing, MI, USA