Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Chevrolet Impala recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 8
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 722
Latest campaign: Oct 26, 2015

Recall summary by component8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	2	Oct 26, 2015	15V701000 09V116000
Steering	2	Feb 17, 2009	09E005000 08E063000
Air bags	2	Feb 14, 2003	03V051000 02V222000
Electrical system	1	Jul 3, 2014	14V400000
Fuel system, other	1	Mar 12, 2007	07E021000

Safety recalls8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 26, 2015Latest campaign


Oct 26, 201515V701000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V701000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold. Risk Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Remedy The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended. Campaign NHTSA 15V701000 · Oct 26, 2015
Jul 3, 201414V400000	Electrical system: ignition If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V400000 What's wrong This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. Risk If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350. Campaign NHTSA 14V400000 · Jul 3, 2014
Apr 8, 200909V116000	Engine and engine cooling IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND… DetailsHide details for campaign 09V116000 What's wrong GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. Risk IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM. Campaign NHTSA 09V116000 · Apr 8, 2009
Feb 17, 200909E005000	Steering A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E005000 What's wrong DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA. Risk A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5. Campaign NHTSA 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009
Oct 17, 200808E063000	Steering IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 08E063000 What's wrong DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE. Risk IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492. Campaign NHTSA 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008
Mar 12, 200707E021000	Fuel system, other: storage tank assembly FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 07E021000 What's wrong CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER. Risk FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Remedy DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770. Campaign NHTSA 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component722

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

722Complaints filed

33Involving a crash

32Involving a fire

29Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	273	38	5	7	2
Exterior lighting	106	15	0	1	0
Engine	88	12	1	20	1
Engine and engine cooling	82	11	0	7	0
Service brakes	74	10	6	1	5
Hydraulic	54	7	4	0	3
Air bags	41	6	21	0	15
Steering	32	4	2	0	1
Power train	31	4	0	0	0
Unknown or other	24	3	1	2	0
Vehicle speed control	23	3	3	0	2
Visibility	20	3	0	0	0
Fuel system	18	2	0	0	0
Structure	16	2	0	1	1
Suspension	15	2	0	1	0

18 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Unknown or other
“My understanding is that a rain leakage into the front passenger floor is a very common problem with 2003 and 2004 Chevy Impala's. This is a safety issue due to mold.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769704
Electrical system
“My car sometimes cuts off while driving. Was on highway 301 running about 60 mph in the middle lane and just lost power no warning. No code no nothing.”
Filed 11/12/2024 · ODI 11624819
Exterior lighting
“After I go back and forth between my bright headlights and regular All of a sudden my headlights shut off it happens after so many times going between them”
Filed 09/10/2024 · ODI 11613903

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2003 Chevrolet Impala recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The most recent, 15V701000 (reported October 26, 2015), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Chevrolet Impala recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 2 campaigns. Others: steering (2), air bags (2), electrical system (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 273 complaints out of 722 filed with NHTSA (38%). Across all complaints, owners reported 33 crashs and 32 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Chevrolet Impala?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

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