10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 87,785 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Car doesn't start for ten minutes and after that turn key and then it starts. It is vary upsetting for it makes me late for work sometimes are other places.
- St Louis, MO, USA
At slow speeds after considerable driving distances, on two occasions, engine turned off, leaving no power for drive or steering. Car re-started both times. No recurrence to date after ignition switch was replaced on 5/27/14.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Security system will not allow you to start the engine, you turn the key and nothing happens, the security light blinks for 10 minutes. If you do nothing after the light stops blinking you might be able to start engine, sometimes you have to let it cycle 2 or 3 times. This is very dangerous for my wife as she gets out of work at 9:30 pm and is alone in a parking lot. Chevrolet knows about this problem and will do nothing as there have been no deaths because of this.
- Cape Coral, FL, USA
I was on my way home from work when my driverside head light went out so I stopped and bought a new bulb at the closest store when I replaced the bulb the light still didnt come back on then the dtr light also started having issues the only time you get any lights on the driver side is when you move the entire headlight assembly around then you get dim lighting so for the past couple months we havent been able to use our car at night. I keep checking for recalls but I havent seen any and we have always had problems with our dtr lighting including the ones that control our dash lights. Cause we have none they work during the day when they want too but at night we have no lights in our dash. Also the drivers side heated seat has quit working. It all occured roughly around the same time. Nobodys been able to fix the issues.
- Missoula, MT, USA
May 16, 2014 at 6:30 am I parked the car in my driveway after taking my husband to work. I locked the doors after exiting the vehicle with my keys in hand. I was in my home at about 6:42 am when my neighbor began banging on my door and yelling that the car was on fire, I took a look out of the window and came down to get a closer look, stunned there was smoke everywhere and flames under the hood. I immediately called 911 they came it took a good bit of time putting the fire out.I spoke to the firefighters after and he said he believed it"S origin was electrical. We received a quote to repair, replace the engine coolant tube on May 6,2014 from tire discounters and my plan was to drop the car off the morning of 5/16. My husband and I are both heart patients and the loss of this car was devastating. I also would like to add that we had just purchased this vehicle on April 6, 2014. The car is a total loss. We have the quote from tire discounters, video and pictures from the fire and the report from the incident. I pray for others that didn't learn of this recall in time with tragic results and I am grateful no loss of life occurred here but the pain of trying to get to appointments and getting my husband back and forth to work at honeywell begins again. Thank you for your ear. Updated 12/11/2014
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Every time it rains my entire vehicle floor is flooded. My radio has stopped working and my dashboard lights flicker. I have been researching and there are several models with this problem from 2002 to 2005. This happens often and can eventually lead to electrical problems. I pay a lot if money for this vehicle and still have a ways to go before I am done paying for it. I have 3 children that depend in thus car along with myself if there are so many people with this problem this is definitely a defect and should be recalled.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Ignition lock -cylinder problem key comes out of the slot of the lock cylinder while the engine is running. This issue is the same problem as other recalls but is not included in the recalls. I would like this issue resolved. It appears to be the same type of lock cylinders as the recalled ones.
- Taylor, MI, USA
Last Friday I got in my car around 2:30am and it wouldn't start. I thank god I was on a somewhat safe street and with friends. My car wouldn't start for 15-20 minutes. The lights, radio and everything else worked but the car wouldn't start. This was happening on a regular basis a few months ago but then it stopped. I took it to the shop and was informed that I need to replace the ignition switch. I couldn't afford to get it replaced so I just dealt with it. As I stated before, it's been months since the last occurrence then it happened again. I continue to follow the GM recall hoping they will include the Impala because of the ignition switch and other electrical issues. There are times when I am driving and the entire dash board lights up (check engine, check battery) and the all the things that light up on the dashboard when you first start the car. Please address this issue before another fatality occurs.
- St. Louis, MO, USA
2003 Chevy Impala. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key related recall problems. The consumer stated he saw photograph of the key involved on television and realized it was similar to the one assigned to his vehicle. The stated the problem was related to a weak spring in the ignition assembly.
- Dupont, PA, USA
When on the highway doing approx. 65 mph with my cruise control on, all of sudden the cruise control dropped out and vehicle slowed down dramatically.. also the heat and ac would not work at all. These conditions continued intermittently. When we went to my mechanic he had an ignition switch waiting, he knew of the problem before we arrived. As soon as he touched the ignition switch the engine shut off. Since we had the switch replaced we have had no problems. This sounds like a similar problem as the recall. Thank you
- Millersville, MD, USA
I have had incidents several times over the years where I would hit a bump in the road and my car would completely shut off. I have also had several incidents where I was traveling down the expressway and my car turned off on me. I had to shift my car into neutral and restart it to continue going. I was fortunate not to have an accident.
- Jeffersonville, IN, USA
With all of our many complaints of ignition problems on 2003 Impala how can they not recall these too. My cost to fix was $ $520 my car would not crank because of same ignition problems as all the other complaints. Still have dealer bill security codes went crazy had to replace passlock sensor, and theft deterrent module.
- Bishopville, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he attempted to decelerate but the engine stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
- Whittier, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that he attempted to turn the vehicle off but when he removed the key, the engine remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,483. Updated 5/29/14
- Queens Village, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.
- Jeffersonville, IN, USA
Security lock out, when security light is flashing will not allow to start, have to wait 10 min. And hope that it will reset, when light stops flashing turn key off and then try to start, if not wait another 10 min. Sometimes have to wait 60 min, this is in a dark parking lot after getting out of work at 9:30 pm GM will not recall since there have been no deaths reported because of this issue.
- Cape Coral, FL, USA
Cruise control goes off and on intermittingly. Heat and ac goes on and off. Had ignition switch replaced and problem was solved. Sounds like same problem as recent recall.
- Millersville, MD, USA
The headlights just quit working on 2 5 2014.
- Cda, ID, USA
The car will not start no matter hot or cold. Once started the electrical system throws multiple errors, from security, battery, service engine soon, ABS light, seat belt light, and brakes. The complete dash board goes dead including all gauges, from the speedometer, fuel and temperature gauge. The warning bell continues to ring as the battery light comes on - it does this continually while driving. Often times it will not start. I have a 6 year old daughter and I am concerned for her safety when this happens. I have put a new batter, new starter and new alternator in this car. GM knows about the problems and they should be required to re-call these cars and fix the problem.
- Sidney, OH, USA
- Orange, TX, USA