Print this page

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,490 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 192014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2003 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer writes in regards to trac unit repair and reimbursement. * ld the consumer stated when the traction light illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. They discovered the lower intake gasket was leaking, and replaced it. The consumer drove five miles, after leaving the dealer, and the traction light illuminated again, and the vehicle stalled. Also, the ignition switch and catalytic converter were replaced.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #14

Aug 202014

Impala

  • 80,300 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the traction and brake warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked during acceleration. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The dealer stated that the hub sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred three days later. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,300.

- Star, NC, USA

problem #13

Apr 022012

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
The service traction control light is on the dash panel and my car started to shake and pull to one side when the brakes were applied. The problem quickly grew into the cat constantly pulls to one side and the steering feels sloppy and loose if that makes sense. The traction control doesn't work but will randomly kick in while driving and the car instantly feels as if the brakes are being applied and grinder but the worse part is how the pulling to one side becomes a quick grab and jerk to one side and has nearly caused me several accidents and I cannot relax and drive. I am always tense and ready to fight to keep my car going straight and now with the bad Michigan winter its impossible to drive on some days. I've been told that I need a new traction control pump which is going to cost around $2500 and up depending on what they find but will automatically start at $2500. That cost is ridiculous and I have talked to prob approx a hundred people who either had the same problem or knew of someone who does, over the past few years. My car is now parked and I have to beg for rides to work because its winter and I cannot put myself and others in danger with this issue. I have to work and Transport kids to different events and feel that this part has to be defective from the start if there's that many people with this same issue. And all of the same exact complaints found online. Please I'm begging you to check into this issue to see if a recall is necessary. Thank you so much.

- Ravenna, MI, USA

problem #12

Oct 112012

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Traction active message comes on turn traction control turns and ABS light comes on when I put car in reverse, pull forward turn wheels to right it makes a noise nit a grinding noise but close and when message comes up and I apply brakes it makes that noise.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #11

Sep 022011

Impala

  • 79,000 miles
The traction active light lights up after backing up and braking. I understand this is a known problem with Impala. The car makes a grinding noise for a second or two. This is an intermittent problem.

- Alexandria, MN, USA

problem #10

Aug 312003

Impala

  • miles
The traction control is constantly engaging even under ideal driving situations. It engages while driving and turning at slow speeds. Once engaged during pulling onto a road and due to holding car back (no traction) almost had a collision. Also when the brakes are applied a noise is heard and a slight push back of the brake pedal occurs. Noise is possibly from the ABS. Since the two (tc and ABS) are linked it could be disrupting one or the other. I have searched several forums and many consumers are complaining of the same problem. Many have tried several solutions, but the problem persists. Wrote a letter to GM about this problem. I am very concerned this is a safety issue and only a matter of time before a death occurs due to this issue. Also no known root cause or easy fix and cust have spent thousands to fix issue at dealer yet issue remains. This should be researched and recalled before anyone gets seriously hurt. Thank you in advance.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 012011

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2003 Chevy Impala. Consumer writes in regards to recalls for vehicle and repairs the consumer stated after hitting a pothole, the traction off light illuminated. After the repairs were made, the trac and ABS light remained illuminated. Also, there seemed to be some play in the steering.

- East Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #8

Nov 012010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
The traction control is constantly engaging even under ideal driving situations. It engages while driving and turning at slow speeds. Once engaged during pulling onto a road and due to holding car back (no traction) almost had a collision. Also when the brakes are applied a noise is heard and a slight push back of the brake pedal occurs. Noise is possibly from the ABS. Since the two (tc and ABS) are linked it could be disrupting one or the other. I have searched several forums and many consumers are complaining of the same problem. Many have tried several solutions, but the problem persists. Wrote a letter to GM about this problem. I am very concerned this is a safety issue and only a matter of time before a death occurs due to this issue. Also no known root cause or easy fix and cust have spent thousands to fix issue at dealer yet issue remains. This should be researched and recalled before anyone gets seriously hurt. Thank you in advance.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #7

Apr 012007

Impala

  • miles
2003 Chevy Impala 3.8 engine. I have had recurring, intermittent problems with the traction control kicking in when pulling away from a stop in dry weather and dry road conditions. Not an appropriate time for it to kick in. Then it releases. I have had the mechanic look at it several times but they cannot find anything because the computer doesn't flash a code. I am concerned that the car will be unsafe if the traction control operates at inappropriate times.

- Adel, IA, USA

problem #6

Aug 102010

Impala

  • 160,000 miles
2000-2004 Chevy Impala ABS/trac control issues affecting braking under wet conditions and low speed. Complaints at topix.net.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #5

Aug 092010

Impala

  • 106,000 miles

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

The vehicle's traction control system malfunctions. From a stop position, the accelerator pedal is applied, the vehicle will surge forward, then temporarily lose momentum rendering the vehicle stationary. It occurs every time the vehicle is driven. Maintenance has been performed to the brakes and the hub assemblies have been replaced; the old parts are not available. After attempts to resolve the source of this problem, the issue remains unsolved and poses a severe safety issue. Due to this unsafe malfunction, there have been several near front, rear and side collisions while pulling into traffic.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 202003

Impala 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Computer problem 2003 Chevy Impala 6 cyl front wheel drive automatic 74000 miles ---------------------------------------------------------------- this recently started, the traction on light and the ABS yellow lights on dash stay on. Rarely do they go off, only a few times. The square indicator light says "service traction control" light comes on when I start the vehicle, stays on for 1-2 minutes then goes off. But the traction control light and the ABS light remains on. How can I reset this or what to not have a trip to the expensive auto repair shop. I have no problem with the ABS brakes to operate correctly, no delays or brake hesitation when I press the brake pedal in use. Help me out with a good solution. I will greatly appreciate your response.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #3

Jul 152009

Impala

  • miles
The traction control is constantly engaging even under ideal driving situations. It engages while driving and turning at slow speeds. Also when the brakes are applied a noise is heard and a slight push back of the brake pedal occurs. Noise is possibly from the ABS. Since the two (tc and ABS) are linked it could be disrupting one or the other. I have searched several forums and many consumers are complaining of the same problem. Many have tried several solutions, but the problem persists. I personally have disconnected and cleaned the connections behind the wheels as mentioned by others. That worked for a month or so when the problem returned. I have heard others change the wiring harness to no avail.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 212010

Impala

  • miles
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).

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 282009

Impala

  • 129,057 miles
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Impala with a 3.8 liter V-6. the car radio quit working and I had to pull out the fuse because it was sending strange error messages to the body control module. Now the BCM is having even more problems. The car turned itself of then back on while I was driving down the road. I pulled over and shut the car off. Then it would not start again. I pulled the fuse for the BCM an the car started and I made it home. What in the world did General Motors do to these cars. I have been reading numerous horror stories about their cars. Was there a recall to fix this problem or do I have to go to the dealer and spend a fortune to fix this garbage pretending to be a car. How can a car company get away with this poor quality control in this day and age? my security display now shows random errors like low fuel even after I filled up the tank. Not sure if any major damage was done to the car but now the transmission hesitates when it shifts.

- Hutto , TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?