2003 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (158) · Engine (66) · Exterior Lighting (47)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Impala model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
511 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2015-10-26 · campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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 c
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-03 · campaign 14V400000 · 5,877,718 vehicles
Defect: 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, 1998-200
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (477)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-06 · PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. general motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. technician s
Showing the 6 most recent of 477 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-07 · 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. my complaint is about the fact that this is not a safety recall under nhtsa that chevy dealers must repair at no cost. i have this issue and it is a big problem for health and safet…”
2024-11-12 · 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. sacred me, i truly feel that's a safety issue, for me and the cars behind me. it's bad not knowing when or where this will happen again.…”
2024-09-10 · 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 …”
2024-02-03 · Unknown Or Other“ignition lock issue. i’m guessing security light came on hard to start vehicle when switch doesn’t work. almost left me stranded. apparently this is common. i have kids and if i get stranded with them what am i supposed to do? something needs to be done…”
2023-10-16 · Electrical System“i have a 2003 chevrolet impala! look it up on the internet, and you will see that the failure rate of the gm passlock system is huge, and massively expensive to repair! in fact from a inside relative, says gm makes more money in parts, and repairs than on selling a new vehicle! this is without doubt a premeditated flow to rip off the public! this …”
2023-05-25 · Tires:bead“225/60/r16 tire bead is warped/slanted (defective) with inability to install the tires …”
2023-01-19 · Vehicle Speed Control“accelator keeps getting stuck at traffic lights and while driving…”
2022-08-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel line leaking gas under engine. …”
2022-06-26 · Suspension · 🔥 fire“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 caus…”
2021-10-13 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control“traveling at 58 mph in cruise control for 10 minutes i increased speed with 4-6 rapid pushes of the accelerate button in less than 1.5 seconds, each push is 1 mph. i have never pushed it that rapidly.the engine acted as if i floored the accelerator & the transmission went from 4th to 3rd gear, speed went to 70+ and rapidly increasing. i stepped on …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.