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8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,150
Average Mileage:
98,500 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replaced fuel pressure regulator. (1 reports)
2003 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #9

Jul 222014

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

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

Don't need a limit, the stinking car just stops in the street, on the freeway, at stop signs, no set time or temperature of running. Could go all day no problem, then every two miles it stops, starts right up or you wait ten to fifteen min. then it starts. Changed out all sensors as suggested by most common problem causers to recall problems. Chevy won't acknowledge the problem on this year.

- rwj613, Springville, UT, US

problem #8

May 022012

Impala V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

This car stalls while I'm going down the road and its nearly killed me and my daughter twice, I've taken it to the mechanics 3 times my dad has poured over 5 grand into this car and they haven't fixed it yet. Its still in the shop now, and I won't hear back from them until they get back from their cruise that they've taken.

To be honest I don't know if I can even trust this car anymore. They replaced all the sensors, and the ignition switch and everything else..and its NOT FIXED. I'm about to junk this car cause I don't want anyone else to go through what I've gone through with this car. Its taken and toll and my daughter and I and I just want that damn thing fixed.

- Crystal H., Minot, ND, US

problem #7

Jan 182011

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Last July my 03 Impala that has been very well cared for started dying while I was driving it down the highway going 50 mph. ABS/Traction Control Light/Battery/Low Fuel/No Fuel/Lights started going off, and the fuel gauge ticking back and forth from empty to full. When I restarted it, the computer automatically reset and cleared all the codes. I drove it one week before it did it again. There were instances when it wouldn't start back up immediately. Sometimes it would die right after i cranked it when i'd put it in gear. I took it to be serviced at a local garage. He kept it 2 weeks and diagnosed it with needing a new computer. We towed it to the Chevy dealership a county away. They kept it for 2 weeks, it did die on them with the exact same symptoms it did with me, they said it needed front brake harnesses and bearings, an alternator, a throttle sensor, and a new body control module. They kept it 5 weeks to diagnose all that and I had every bit of it fixed. Very costly. I picked it up after they gave it the all clear and when I was driving home it died on me in the middle of a major intersection with the exact same symptoms as it had when it dies the very first time. I limped it back to the dealership, dying the whole time. I could have been killed! They kept it 4 more weeks and said they never could get it to die on them. I picked it up, drove it 1 week filled it up with gas and it died on me repeatedly. Took it to the local garage and explained everything. He put a new catalytic converter on it and another throttle sensor. I picked it up and its still dying on us with the same symptoms as if it were the very first time last July. They say there is only one thing left to do and that is to trace all the wiring. The only other thing its ever had done to it was a new wiring harness 3 years ago because the headlamp was turning itself off and on and the doors were locking on their own. It also has a history of shocking us. They know there is a 5 volt drop, but can't find it. Please help me, its March now and it acts like its had nothing done to it!

- impalaheadache, Franklin, KY, US

problem #6

Aug 012008

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

The engine cuts out during travel causing the loss of power steering and power brakes. Chevrolet evidently doesn't consider this a serious problem even though they can't pinpoint the cause and they designed the car.

- larkin jr., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #5

Apr 012010

Impala LX 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I bought this car for my son in Oct. of 2009. Didn't have any problems with it until late January. I bought him a new stereo for the car and had it installed. The car shuts off randomly in the middle of driving it down the road, doing 25 or 60 mph. I am so scared my son is going to get killed driving this car. The dealer hasn't been very helpful, all he can do for me is sell me a new car.

I have just recently come to the conclusion with help from various websites that the passlock security system is the failure in this car. I have been to two Chevy dealers that can't find a problem with the car. I have been to four other mechanics who have taken my money for something or other and it still hasn't fixed the problem. I had one mechanic give me a list of all the error codes that came up and they were mostly BCM codes and told me to take it to the dealer, dealer said he couldn't do anything with it but clear the codes. I am $1,500 dollars into repairs of this car so far, and still the car shuts off at random in the middle of driving it, and i have to continue to make monthly payments on this piece of junk.

I would appreciate any suggestions, my son is going to take the car back to the people who installed the radio and see if they maybe mixed up any wiring that is affecting the security system and making the car shut off.

- Jacqueline R., Clover, VA, US

problem #4

Feb 262009

Impala 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I have spent nearly $4000 trying to get the car to keep running, replacing MAP sensors, MAF, Fuel Pump, etc. Mechanic says all that remains is wiring harness and computer. One dealer told me there was nothing wrong with my car! Computer was replaced once, but vehicle would not start so was removed and original replaced. Currently a GM case file.

Update from Jun 18, 2010: I called General Motors and they worked me through finding a dealer that had some knowledge. Ended up needing a new alternator, as when I took my foot off the gas, it would drop out. That didn't totally fix it - also needed a new PCM. The first mechanic tired to replace it, but had it programmed it incorrectly. I usually avoid dealers, but will go back to this one. Have had the car back only one day, but it runs great.

Update from Jul 3, 2010: After driving repaired car about 230 miles, the catalytic convertor needed replacing (for the second time in 3 years). Appears to be doing well for now.

- craftyjeritx, Kempner, TX, US

problem #3

Dec 112008

Impala LX 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

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

I have an 2003 Chevy Impala that keeps cutting off. I just purchased this vehicle 3 months ago and can not find out why. I have replace my 02 sensors and now I have another check engine light. I need help, what is wrong with this car!!!!!

- simoney99, Chicago, IL, US

problem #2

Nov 152008

Impala LX 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

This drag feel bothers me because it ran so sweet when I bought the car and I take really good care of it as far as maint. and good fuel. So this was a let down but I'm taking it to a Chevy dealer and get a major tune-up and prayerfully it will fix the problem. I don't have that kick when I hit the gas like the Chevy gives you. You know that feel that makes you proud to own a Chevy. I wont stop til I get it back.

- lawandag, Atlanta, GA, US

problem #1

Apr 012007

(reported on)

Impala LS 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,100 miles

Reading this site I found much gloom and doom, but it turned out to be a relatively minor problem.

My fault code PID was for a rich mixture condition. Correspondingly, I found my fuel trim excessive and constant at about -25. Because all sensors (MAP, MAF, TP, O2, etc) were operating normally but the engine was not responding (and I was no way going to the dealership), I took a long shot and bought a Fuel Pressure Regulator. It worked! It took about $75.00 and less than 20 minutes to fix.

- Henry L., Houston, TX, US

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