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2003 Chevrolet Impala
5 recall campaigns and 673 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala; the recalls concern engine and engine cooling, electrical system and air bags.
The component named most often is electrical system: 297.2 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 123.7 per 1,000 across all 2003 model-year vehicles and against 236.1 per 1,000 for the Chevrolet Impala line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 195.0 complaints per model year across the 47 Chevrolet Impala model years on this register; 31 complaints reported a crash and 28 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (92); the most recent in the file is dated 27 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
- 15V701000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPEReported 26 Oct 2015 · 1,003,556 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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 engineÂ’s 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.
Filed by General Motors LLC (manufacturer campaign 15757); components: engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engine.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by General Motors LLC (manufacturer campaign 14350).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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 engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (manufacturer campaign 09047).
Defect, as filed: On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Consequence: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (manufacturer campaign 03008).
Defect, as filed: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Consequence: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (manufacturer campaign 02032).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala (black) against all 2003 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2003 | Impala line | All 2003 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 297.2 | 236.1 | 123.7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 120.7 | 50.4 | 34.7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 96.1 | 52.6 | 77.7 |
| Engine | 89.4 | 79.6 | 27.3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 64.8 | 35.9 | 58.7 |
| Air Bags | 42.5 | 58 | 82.2 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 266 | 297.2 | 236.1 | 123.7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 108 | 120.7 | 50.4 | 34.7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 86 | 96.1 | 52.6 | 77.7 |
| Engine | 80 | 89.4 | 79.6 | 27.3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 58 | 64.8 | 35.9 | 58.7 |
| Air Bags | 38 | 42.5 | 58 | 82.2 |
| Steering | 28 | 31.3 | 78.1 | 47.3 |
| Power Train | 27 | 30.2 | 60.8 | 121 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 23.5 | 44.8 | 42 |
| Visibility | 21 | 23.5 | 18.6 | 40.1 |
| Unknown or Other | 20 | 22.3 | 28.9 | 20.2 |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 19 | 27.1 | 30.5 |
| Structure | 15 | 16.8 | 17.7 | 62 |
| Traction Control System | 15 | 16.8 | 15.4 | 2.4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 13 | 14.5 | 9.1 | 12.6 |
| Suspension | 13 | 14.5 | 32 | 57.2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 | 12.3 | 15.8 | 36.5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 11 | 12.3 | 50.1 | 7.4 |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.1 | 9.2 | 21.5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | 10.1 | 12.7 | 14.3 |
| Seats | 5 | 5.6 | 11.8 | 13.9 |
| Tires | 5 | 5.6 | 16.7 | 20.4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 4.5 | 9.7 | 12.9 |
| Wheels | 4 | 4.5 | 14 | 10.8 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2.2 | 1 | 3.1 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 4.6 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 1.1 | 4.7 | 3.1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.9 |
673 unique complaints, 895 component mentions; 26 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE06017 | Preliminary evaluation | ALLEGED HEADLIGHT FAILURE | exterior lighting | 15 May 2006 | 25 Oct 2006 | — |
Other Chevrolet Impala model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1965 | 3 | 0 | 10,395,998 |
| 1966 | 2 | 3 | 9,252,998 |
| 1967 | 2 | 2 | 9,252,998 |
| 1968 | 2 | 0 | 9,252,998 |
| 1969 | 4 | 2 | 9,278,411 |
| 1971 | 4 | 0 | 3,727,336 |
| 1972 | 2 | 0 | 3,708,763 |
| 1973 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 1,218,387 |
| 1974 | 3 | 0 | 2,009,713 |
| 1976 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 39,278 |
| 1977 | 3 | 1 | 598,441 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 | 482,149 |
| 1979 | 3 | 2 | 1,817,977 |
| 1980 | 3 | 0 | 128,985 |
| 1981 | 2 | 2 | 23,723 |
| 1982 | 2 | 2 | 98,794 |
| 1983 NHTSA | 1 | 3 | 19,108 |
| 1985 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1987 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1993 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1994 NHTSA | 0 | 15 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 44 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | 88 | — |
| 1997 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1998 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1999 NHTSA | 0 | 4 | — |
| 2000 | 7 | 811 | 9,572,725 |
| 2001 | 7 | 729 | 8,662,432 |
| 2002 | 4 | 779 | 8,512,011 |
| 2003 | 5 | 673 | 8,512,141 |
| 2004 | 4 | 1,054 | 7,260,007 |
| 2005 | 1 | 594 | 5,877,718 |
| 2006 | 1 | 502 | 3,141,731 |
| 2007 | 2 | 596 | 3,143,333 |
| 2008 | 2 | 759 | 3,178,144 |
| 2009 | 5 | 729 | 3,770,577 |
| 2010 | 4 | 382 | 3,770,498 |
| 2011 | 2 | 444 | 3,178,144 |
| 2012 | 3 | 205 | 3,188,488 |
| 2013 | 1 | 221 | 3,141,731 |
| 2014 | 12 | 318 | 3,545,484 |
| 2015 | 3 | 120 | 225,742 |
| 2016 | 0 | 30 | — |
| 2017 | 0 | 35 | — |
| 2018 NHTSA | 1 | 8 | 210,628 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 210,628 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Chevrolet Impala model years · Chevrolet: 177 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 15V701000, was reported to NHTSA on 26 Oct 2015 and concerns engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Across all model years the Chevrolet Impala line has 57 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala complain about most?
Electrical System: 266 of 895 component mentions (297.2 per 1,000). Next is exterior lighting with 108. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.