2003 Chevrolet Impala problems
The 2003 Chevrolet Impala has 936 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (29%) concerns electrical system. After that come engine (17%) and lighting (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 936 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 44 and 45
- Injuries and deaths
- 35 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 88,000 miles 684 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 72 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 62 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 79 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 95 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 76 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 89 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 63 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 57 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 16 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 32 |
| 200k+ miles | 43 |
What the data shows
Among the 684 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 88,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 99,000 miles (202 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 44 complaints mention a crash; 45 complaints mention a fire; 35 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 23 model years of the Chevrolet Impala with enough data (327 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving we hit another car on its side I wont get in to big details but the other cars air bags went off and not ours, why didn't they go off and what is the point of buying a car that would "save or lives" if the main thing we paid for did not work? The accident was at about 10-20 MPH. The car hydroplaned in to the other we had a full car the driver and passengers weigh more than 160lbs each. I have some physical pain, including beck and back sprain.
ABS traction control lights on intermittently for 3 years. Had this checked by dealer numerous times and was not able to diagnose a problem. The lights now stay on for the last 8 months.
On the afternoon of monday, june 6, 2004, I was driving a 2003 chevrolet impala down haddonfield road in cherry hill, new jersey when, suddenly and without warning, its speedometer dropped down to zero, its brakes became inoperable, and its steering wheel became rigid and virtually un-turnable. I was forced to coast to a stop. Fortunately, the incident did not cause a crash. This is the second time that such an incident has occurred with this car, with the previous incident occurring in or around july 2004.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle failed to start and the anti-theft security warning light illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the body control module and the ignition would have to be replaced and reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.