Bakersfield, CA
ENGINE
Fuel line leaking gas under engine.
NHTSA complaint #11480465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 Chevrolet Impala engine problems
174 of the 935 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala are about the engine — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,180 miles.
174
Complaints
1
Crashes
28
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine
88
50.6%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
40
23.0%
Engine
18
10.3%
Cooling System
9
5.2%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
7
4.0%
Exhaust System
4
2.3%
Catalytic Convertor
3
1.7%
Gasoline
2
1.1%
FAN
2
1.1%
Radiator Assembly
1
0.6%
Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Impala year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Philadelphia, PA
Fire
ENGINE
Hey my name is [XXX] I recently took my Chevy impala for repairs they told me I need more repairs done I’m like cool my bottom of my car is rusted n my struts are bad n my oil pump n other stuff is not working as well I’m when I gave Chevy a call ball they took my they manager not to bring the car back I’m kinda upset bout this whole thing idk cause they had to fix my head gasket for free but I need help getting these thing fixes. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11471068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,022 miles
Birmingham, AL
ENGINE
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN MOVING,TURNING OR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. BY SWITCHING TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE MAY START AFTER 1 OR MORE TRIES. SO FAR THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. BUT NOT INTERSTATES. THE FAILURES ARE MANY BUT UNPREDICTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11398056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 miles
Garden City, MI
Fire
ENGINE
VEHICLE FIRE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11351783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,200 miles
Mattoon, IL
Fire
ENGINE
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 03/11/20 AND IT RAN GREAT TILL YESTERDAY WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE TO THE ENGINE FROM THE FUEL LINES MELTED THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GETTING A JUMP. IT SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS PENDING IT IS THE 3.8L AND IT LOOKED ORIGINAL ALL THE PARTS DID CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT
NHTSA complaint #11349773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,150 miles
Chesterfield, VA
Fire
ENGINE
THE INCIDENT HAPPENED THIS MORNING AS I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND AS SOON AS I TURNED IT TO START THERE WAS A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A BACKFIRE. THE ENTIRE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD EXPLODED INTO PIECES AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE SMOKE CLEARED I BEGAN TO ASSESS THE ISSUE, I NOTICED THE MANIFOLD GASKET COVER HAD BEEN BLOWN COMPLETELY OFF AND THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WAS IN PIECES. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON BUT UNCOMMON THING AMONG EARLY 2000'S GM VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #11322021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,897 miles
Marion, SC
ENGINE
THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE RUBS AGAINST SOME PART OF THE MOTOR AND RUB A HOLE IN POWER STEERING RETURN HOUSE
NHTSA complaint #11316116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, PA
ENGINE
THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKS AND WILL NOT LET ME START THE VEHICLE EVERY COUPLE TIMES THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #11311933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 miles
Marceline, MO
ENGINE
RECALL ID 240424 RECEIVED THIS FROM CREDIT KARMA. CURRENTLY OUR CAR IS HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES. ENGINE COOLING ISSUES,EXHAUST MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAILPIPE, OIL LEAKING ON TO MY EXHAUST I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AFRAID IT MAY CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11194403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
North Charleston, SC
ENGINE
COOLANT SYSTEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER REFILLING COOLANT AND OIL, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OIL AND COOLANT WERE DRIPPING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. ACCORDING TO A GM REPRESENTATIVE, THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS OUT FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD MY VIN IS NOT ONE OF THEM. IT HAS ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN OTHER BULLETINS. I'M NOT SURE HOW/WHY THIS VIN ISN'T INCLUDED WHEN THE SAME SYMPTOMS EXIST.
NHTSA complaint #11172487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 miles
Medford, OR
Fire
ENGINE
UNDER THE HOOD FIRE AND UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION. MAYBE 5 DAYS AFTER I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO TC CHEVY (IN ASHLAND OREGON) TO HAVE THE 2 RECALLS REPAIRED ON IT. I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DOWN BY THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FLAMES MADE IT TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND IGNITED THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A MINI EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, MEAN WHILE I'M SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR NEARLY HAVING THE LIFE SCARED OUT OF ME, I POPPED THE HOOD AND GRABBED MY HOUSE GARDEN HOUSE AND STARTED TO TRY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO REACH MY HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE PUT OUT ALMOST TORCHING ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS HEAD WHEN THE FUEL PUMP KICKED ON WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED SHOOTING GASOLINE REIGNITING THE FIRE. I'M LUCKY THE FIRE DIDN'T BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE THAT DAY SEEING HOW THE FIRE CAUGHT THE BUSH NEXT DOOR ON FIRE AND THERE WAS FLAMES 14 FT IN THE AIR. SEE CHEVY AND GM HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ACT LIKE THE FIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS MY OWN FAULT AND NONE OF THEIR OWN EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIAN SAYS NONE OF THE REPAIRS WERE ACTUALLY DONE. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN INVESTIGATION DONE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO PUSH MY CLAIM ASIDE AND SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME RIGHT NEXT TO A BUSH NOT MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE IS RIGHT UP AGAINST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SO THAT IT DOESN'T GET SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. PLEASE HELP ME. I ALSO HAVE THE FIREFIGHTERS REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #11101504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,724 miles
Adams RUN, SC
ENGINE
SECOND CAR AFFECTED. FIRST CAR BURNED AND TOTALED . SECOND CAR FOUND LOSS OF POWER STILL DRIVING PULED OVER FOUND EGR MOTOR STUCK IN FULL OPEN SENDING HOT EXHAUST INTO INTAKE. MELTING PLASTIC INTAKE WIRING AND FUEL LINE. FUEL LINE MELTED BUT DID NOT BURST. TOWED HOME. THIS SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE A FIRE LINE AT TOP OF INTAKE. THIS IS A PLASTIC LINE .
NHTSA complaint #11088476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milledgeville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED THE MANIFOLD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL WHICH COULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL ANOTHER FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS A FAILURE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10862867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calumet Park, IL
ENGINE
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED 2/24/17 SINCE THEN I HAVE OUT 3 ENGINES AND 2 RADIATORS AND MY CAR IS BACK DOWN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11051666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kokomo, IN
ENGINE
MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING CAUSING AT TIMES VIOLENT JOLTS FOR ALL 3 GEARS. I ALSO HAVE A SEAL THAT WAS NOT PUT IN CORRECTLY CAUSING WATER TO FILL UP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM'S AS WELL AS TAKING OUT THE SOUND OF MY RADIO.
NHTSA complaint #11003781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 291,000 miles
Peebles, OH
Fire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER PROVIDED A LETTER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 291,000.
NHTSA complaint #11003120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsburg, IN
ENGINE
MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN150757 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER15V701 ENGINE OIL LEAKS ONTO MY MANIFOLD AND SMOKES I HAVE CONTACTED CAR DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTACT ME AND NEVER DO
NHTSA complaint #10956800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East ST Louis, IL
Fire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10929648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 miles
Winston Salem, NC
ENGINE
IN APRIL I WAS DRIVING G THE CAR NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KEPT GOING ON UP AND A SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND THEY ALL SAY ITS MY I TAKE MANIFOLD AND/OR HEAD GASKET. ALSO WHEN [XXX] WAS DRIVING [XXX] THE CAR BEFORE ANYTHING THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10916532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baker, FL
ENGINE
WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. LOSS OF POWER AND PERIODICALLY BRAKES LOCK UP AND GAS PEDAL LOCKS. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP I CAN NOT ACCELERATE & RPM GOES ALMOST RED LINE, CAR STARTS TO JERK AND AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT. I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS PEDAL AND ALLOW TO SHIFT. IT HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT. THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARNING LIGHT DINGS AND STAYS LIT. I MANUALLY TURN OFF ABS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE WIRING THRU OUT THE CAR HAS FAILED TO MY REARVIEW MIRROR, DOMELIGHTS AND RADIO PANEL. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT I AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10907385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doniphan, MO
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10893185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 miles
SAN Antonio, TX
Fire
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOT A FAINT FUEL SMELL (NOT SEEN IN PAST). SHORTLY ANOTHER MOTORIST FLAGGED ME AND SAID HE SAW FLAMES UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND EVACUATED VEHICLE. SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED NO RECENT ENGINE WORK. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10882087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 miles
Birmingham, AL
ENGINE
YES MY ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING AND IT MAKING MY CAR HOT AND I THINK MY OIL PAN IS FULL OF OIL EVERY TIME I PUT OIL IN IT IT RUN STRAIGHT OUT AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES STRAIGHT OR IT WILL JUST CUT COMPLETE OFF AND MY BRAKES IS GOING OUT THEY WANT STOP ON TIME
NHTSA complaint #10873485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,040 miles
Baltimore, MD
Fire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WIPED THE ENGINE CLEAN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,040.
NHTSA complaint #10872393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, IN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10864666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,000 miles
Wichita Falls, TX
Fire
ENGINE
THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM OIL LEAK
NHTSA complaint #10863420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF UPDATED 07/21/16.
NHTSA complaint #10863114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swainsboro, GA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED AND THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10862208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Morgan, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND TRQUE BOLTS WRER REPLACED. UPDATED 06/27/16.
NHTSA complaint #10860918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,693 miles
Grove City, OH
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE RADIATIOR. THE LEAK DAMAGED THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,693.
NHTSA complaint #10860682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.