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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,168 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 3 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #189

Nov 032015

Impala

  • 151,000 miles

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

Issues with system security system and intermittent starting issues as noted in the hundreds of previously reports. Is this just a waste of time, providing this information to NHTSA" or is someone going to step up to the plate and have GM fix this problem"

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #188

Jan 012007

Impala 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
My passlock system has been malfunctioning for years now (2007-2015) and at random intervals, my car will not start and I have to wait 15 minutes before the engine will start. Sometimes the "security" light will turn on while I am operating the vehicle and after I have parked it, the security light will flash and I can't start the engine until after the 15 minute cycle has concluded. Not only has this issue been an inconvenience, but I have had occasions where it has put me in danger. I am not responsible for the passlock system failure, nor do I have the funds to repair or remove it. I believe that passlock was a faulty system from the beginning and the fact that it has not been recalled shocks me. I am very afraid that one day the passlock system malfunction will occur when the vehicle is in motion and that I will lose power steering, braking, and other vital operational functions. Noticeably, the passlock malfunction has become more frequent, so I needed to file this complaint. I have talked to service experts at my local Chevy dealership and they have told me on more than one occasion that this issue is widespread, including many GM vehicles, and that eventually my car just won't start anymore. The quoted prices to fix this issue (either repairing it or removing it entirely) have been ridiculously high and I don't understand why I should be forced into paying for a well-known GM/Chevrolet problem.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #187

Oct 232012

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The contact felt that the recall remedy was performed incorrectly and failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Bergholz, OH, USA

problem #186

Sep 212015

Impala

  • 126,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not turn. The contact was not able to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Garden City, GA, USA

problem #185

Aug 252015

Impala

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that a month after the vehicle being serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), the vehicle stalled without warning at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not available.

- Waxahachie , TX, USA

problem #184

Dec 122014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle starting problems and electrical system/ ignition recall notice. The consumer stated the starting problems began two years into owning the vehicle. Every mechanic charged him hundreds of dollars in parts and labor, only for the problem to return. In September 2014, the consumer received a recall notice. He took the vehicle to the dealer, where they put two rings on his key fob. They also informed him the ignition switch and sensor needed to be replaced, which cost him several hundred dollars. The consumer stated the starting problem has ceased. The consumer believed his problem qualified to be recalled, since several other vehicles were being recalled for ignition problems. Also, the left front door latch assembly was replaced.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #183

Apr 102015

Impala

  • 115,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. In order for the vehicle to start, the contact had to unplug the battery and plug it back in. Once the vehicle started, the horn sounded and would not cut off until the contact disconnected the battery again. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- San Mateo , CA, USA

problem #182

Jan 082015

Impala 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 12/03/15

- Harrison, NY, USA

problem #181

Apr 012015

Impala

  • 200,000 miles
My vehicle will lock me out from starting it, and will display security. I believe this same issue is affecting my traction control. This is a known issue and I know several people who have dealt with this same issue. It is absolutely nonsense that this issue has not been addressed.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #180

Sep 062015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 100,600 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. On some occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,600. Updated 11/06/15

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #179

Jun 012015

Impala

  • 200,000 miles

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

Got the recall done on the car back in may on keys and my car still won't start have lights and every thing but I have to get out and lock and unlock my car then sometimes it starts. Plus my high brights lights on dash flash and message center says high beam out but only work have the time, my car out of no where shakeys in any condition and its rear end does it at 50-60+ miles an hour and won't stop til I brake past 40pmh and worn out four tires belts on back side of them in four weeks time and service traction system light won't go off even I can't find the issue help...

- Carson, IA, USA

problem #178

Aug 012015

Impala

  • 97,673 miles
Defective ignition switch caused cruise control to malfunction.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #177

Sep 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key recall notice, but no parts.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #176

Jul 102015

Impala

  • 140,000 miles
"security" warning on message display. Engine does not start, have to wait minutes then car will start.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #175

Jan 012014

Impala

  • miles
I have not had an accident. I have had this car little over a year and had nothing but problems with it. Started off security light flashing then not starting I could unhook battery and reset and it would start. Lights would flash interior lights stayed on then didn't work voltage meter would bury to 0 but battery was fine air consign will not work when this happens door locks do then don't work blows fuses trunk will poc open radio will lock headlights flash T I ll I put manual lights on then automatic would work later. Security light flashes a lot of the time all these things start acting up and it continues to get worse. Sometime car will jerk and I have to reset by taking cable off then it works fine. I have kids and I do not feel very safe B in this car. Some of hard working single parents can't afford to spend 700 here and there from trial and error when it seems a lot of models from this year have the issue.

- Princeton, IN, USA

problem #174

Nov 142014

Impala

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while in motion and stationary without warning. The vehicle restarted after 20 minutes. The vehicle was taken a dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #173

May 082015

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and stalled. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but the failure persisted. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Ashland, OH, USA

problem #172

Mar 172015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), the ignition key failed to turn to the on position and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000. Updated 4/27/15 the consumer stated the dealer removed the black ring holder and replaced it with another on returning the key. The key was quite free when inserted. The consumer stated it did not resolve the problem. Later, when the consumer turned the ignition off, the vehicle would not turn back on. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, where he was informed it would cost a $1,000. Updated 05/07/15

- South Colton, NY, USA

problem #171

Oct 062014

Impala

  • 197,000 miles
I was traveling on a 2 lane road. A truck pulling an enclosed trailer was in front of me turned on his right blinker and began to brake to make the turn. I was traveling 77 mph, so I moved to the oncoming traffic lane (the left lane) in order to pass the truck. At the last second the truck swerved into the left lane in order to make a wide turn. I abruptly jerked the steering wheel right to avoid collision with the truck, but the vehicle seemed to lose power steering as well as power brakes. I was unable to straighten the steering wheel back after jerking it to the right to go back into the right lane; my vehicle hit the back of the enclosed trailer and then hit steep ditch where my back passenger tire popped and the vehicle flipped onto its roof. The vehicles airbags failed to deploy even though the vehicle has significant damage to the front, top and sides of it. I regained conscientiousness I attempted to turn the car off and remove the keys from the ignition. But I realized that the keys were not I N the ignition.I crawled out of the passenger window to exit the vehicle. The keys were later found by my husband loose in the vehicle. I hit my head hard when the vehicle flipped, good deal of blood on me from what ended up being multiple superficial lacerations as well as a deep wound in my left knee, which required 12 stitches to close up. I will have a scar from it for the rest of my life. I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and was released around 9 pm. 2 days later we received the ignition switch recall notice in the mail GM refuses to answer any of our questions regarding this wreck. GM did retrieve the black box info from the vehicle., they refuse to provide us with any explanation to why the airbags failed to deploy or why there seemed to be a malfunction within the car which led to the accident.

- Norman , OK, USA

problem #170

Feb 022015

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer disappointed of an ignition recall fix. The dealer made the hole in the key fob smaller, so no keys could be placed on the ring.

- Southington, CT, USA

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