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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 5 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #150

Oct 012013

Impala

  • 143,000 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 that the ignition became difficult to turn to the start position and the engine was losing power. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). However, the failure persisted and recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Yuma, CO, USA

problem #149

Mar 122014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

- Chicago , IL, USA

problem #148

Oct 042010

Impala

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician replaced the ignition switch on two different occasions and replaced the battery. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #147

Oct 032014

Impala

  • 207,893 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 that the dealer provided two replacement keys under recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V4000000 (electrical system). However, one of the keys failed to function when inserting into the ignition switch. The dealer placed an order for the second key to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 207,893.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #146

May 012014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that several attempts had to be made before the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #145

Sep 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Once the vehicle was started, the ignition failed to turn to the off position using the key, which caused the battery to die. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. The consumer was under the impression the dealer was going to replace the ignition switch. The dealer only modified the keys. Updated 12/22/14.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #144

May 032013

Impala

  • 125,000 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 that the vehicle stalled several times. The security sensor illuminated and the contact had to wait a brief moment before attempting to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The dealer was unable to replicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Guilford, CT, USA

problem #143

Dec 252012

Impala

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 35 mph, the contact's vehicle stalled and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and minor injuries were sustained. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system).the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #142

Oct 142013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
The security sensor failed to read the key code and the vehicle will not start until the security sensor resets approximately 10-20 minutes. Sometimes this happens multiple times in one day, then it won't happen for a while. A week ago my car would not start for 2 days. We tried unhooking the battery and starting the car, but it still wouldn't start until a few hours later.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #141

Oct 012011

Impala

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the defrogger, the turning signals and the instrument panel had malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis and the mechanic stated that the ignition switch and blower resister had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired multiple times, however, the problem recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number:14V4000 (electrical). The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #140

Jan 012014

Impala

  • 171,000 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 that the vehicle stalled when approaching a stop and security warning light illuminated. The contact had to wait several minutes before the vehicle could restart. The dealer diagnosed that the ignition switch and key needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #139

Jul 102013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
It takes at least 2 tries or more to get the car started. While in park and the car was on it suddenly just shut off.

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #138

Aug 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 18,363 miles
The key comes out of the ignition while the vehicle is in motion.

- Eastville, VA, USA

problem #137

Feb 012014

Impala

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the key would not turn from the off position to an on position intermittently. The contact stated that after numerous attempts the vehicle was able to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #136

Jul 232014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 213,640 miles
Recently purchased a used 2003 Impala, I was unaware at the time of the numerous complaints on the issue of the passlock feature. The passlock feature shuts down the operation of the vehicle when it dosen't recognize the key. The key is the matching set for the passlock. For the short time we had the car we experienced a shut down during operation. Lucky for us no one was injured, at approxmate 45 mph the car just shut down and the security light came on. Had to dead steer and brake the car to a stop resulting in the car off the road in the ditch. Tried to restart vehicle, did not even try to crank over. Security light was on at the display had to sit for a few minutes and tried again then the car started. Got it home fortunately without further incidents. Since then there were several instances that the car would not recognize the key and shut down the car. I am very aggrivated that we have to experience such issues as consumers, without any attempts or concerns from the manufacturer to deal with such a wide spread problem. This a serious risk placed on the owners lives with these vehicles. Especially when this has been a long ongoing problem and has been annotated hundreds of times. Why has nothing been done about this, are we waiting for fatalities?

- Woodstock, NY, USA

problem #135

Jun 042014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
The steering wheel seems to becoming loose, afraid to drive vehicle car shut off while driving, had to pull over and restart car. Small fuel leak in fuel tank. Updated 4/24/2015

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #134

Jul 162013

Impala

  • 69,000 miles
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, I called the customer care line and my car is not on the ignition switch recall list. I explained to the lady that all of my lights will go off whenever I go over speed bumps including speedometer and radio. When attempting to start my car I have to jiggle the key for several minutes before it will turn and I do not have any key rings with my car key. The lady clearly stated that my car is having the ignition switch issues, but not being on the recall list I would have to take my car to the dealership and pay for this out of pocket. I do not understand why my specific VIN was not on the recall list and why I would have to pay for this when I was told by a contact at GM that my car has the issue. I just want this fixed. I have had this car for a year now and it has given me nothing but issues. I can't see my speed when I drive at night which I could get a ticket for and is dangerous. Who can I contact to be added to the recall list?

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #133

Apr 032013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 186,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed intermittently. In addition, the headlights, the daytime running lights, and the stereo console lights intermittently illuminated. The contact also stated that the drivers seat heat control failed to activate. The contact noticed that the service engine, the traction control and the air bag sensor illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was applied the brake pedal traveled abnormally to the floorboard floor on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled various times as the traction control light engaged and disengaged causing the brakes to fail. The contact was not aware if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V400000 (electrical system).the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000. Updated 10/02/14

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #132

Jan 012012

Impala

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician replaced the key cylinder however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 159,396.

- Chester , NY, USA

problem #131

Jun 122013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
(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

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