2003 Chevrolet Impala: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Acceleration · CA

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 the break pedal several times to disable CC but no help, I switched the CC button to the off position several times, no help. Now at 85+ and accelerating hard in wide open throttle (WOT). I shift to Neutral and turned the ignition to the ACC position to retain steering ability as the engine was RPM'ing out to destruction. I coasted off the highway and set ignition to off. After a few minutes I turned engine on and it rev'd out of control, still WOT. Ignition off did not reset the problem. I opened the hood to disconnected the battery & I observe that neither the CC or accelerator cables are not holding the throttle body (TB) in "WOT", it was closed in an idle position. It is not mechanical. I disconnected the battery for several minutes and then the system operated normally. I have used CC a million times but never have pushed that accel button that fast. I served 7 years as a Reactor Operation onboard US navy Fast attack Submarines, have torn apart and assemble mechanical and electrical reactor systems. I have been a Hardware Engineer for 40+ yrs and have 10 US patents in fault tolerant server design. I've been a car guy since 5 yrs old. This is a problem with the cars computer or its code. The rapid pushing of the CC accel button is key here as well as memory retaining this CC state after Key OFF. Its a good thing I experienced with many hard casualty life and death situations while serving, because my car was accelerating out of control, my experience and training in the US Military taught me to keep cool and think.You really should investigate this. I can tell you more specifics but I'm character limited.

Filed Nov 29, 2017 · Lights · 150,000 miles · IL

The multifunction switch malfunctions. In switching from low beam to high beam the headlights do not switch and eventually go out completely. By holding the handle manually for high beams it cancels cruise control when activated.

Filed Jun 9, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 110,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the cruise control warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact also mentioned that when the ignition key was turned further to the right, the vehicle started to operate properly. The contact stated that the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system). The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Engine · 58,083 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control was set at 75 MPH, the vehicle emitted a strong-burning odor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 58,083.

Filed Dec 17, 2015 · Acceleration, Lights · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the cruise control activated independently, the headlights and brake lights flickered, and the instrument panel warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that the heater had to be running for the cruise control to deactivate. In addition, the exterior lighting flickered when the engine was not running. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failures were undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 1, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 97,673 miles · PA · crash

Defective ignition switch caused cruise control to malfunction.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 150,000 miles · NC

There are 3 recalls I have found that possibly are effecting my 2003 impala but because my specific VIN # doesn't fall under any of these gm is refusing to fix these problems. 1)the body control module needs to be reset. Apparently when it goes out the cruise control disengages.....and my cruise control light is on but won't engage. Plus my mechanic says the body control module also is what is could be causing my heater fan to not work nor my information display to work. But low and behold when the cruise control light goes off they both work 2) there is a recall stating drops of engine oil may leak on exhaust manifold with hard braking and I sometimes smell oil burning after I drive. If it was my actual engine leaking oil I would smell it all the time but I don't it's just after I drive certain places that are very congested and I brake a lot 3) there is a fuel vapor leak from the gas tank which is believed to be causing my check engine light to come on. It throws the code stating I need to possible replace the gas cap (which I have done) and only comes on after I have put gas in the car. I'm alittle concerned and applaud that just because my VIN # doesn't show these recalls but impalas are having these recalls that gm won't fix these problems.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 65,500 miles · MD

When on the highway doing approx. 65 MPH with my cruise control on, all of sudden the cruise control dropped out and vehicle slowed down dramatically.. Also the heat and AC would not work at all. These conditions continued intermittently. When we went to my mechanic he had an ignition switch waiting, he knew of the problem before we arrived. As soon as he touched the ignition switch the engine shut off. Since we had the switch replaced we have had no problems. This sounds like a similar problem as the recall. Thank you

Filed Mar 12, 2014 · Electrical · 65,750 miles · MD

Cruise control goes off and on intermittingly. Heat and AC goes on and off. Had ignition switch replaced and problem was solved. Sounds like same problem as recent recall.

Filed Jun 19, 2012 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MO

I purchased from valley ford 4/18/2009 I have had nothing but trouble with it ever since I purchased it. I have had rocker arms replaced, pins, the aftermarket warranty company wouldn't replace them because they told me that it was not an internal problem, I have had pass lock problems which I had to get done, I just replaced the transmission in 2012 the computer on the car read that it was shift solenoids when it turned out to be the transmission. Now as of the past three months my low beam head lamps will not come on .the day time running lamps work but when it gets dark they shut off & the parking lamps stay on. The only way I will be able to drive is to hold the turn signal towards me, its not the bulbs they have been replaced & its not the fuses and no one seems to know what the problem. My cruise control light flashes on and off while im driving & while the switch is off & also my check engine light flashes on & off but when I take it to auto part store to have it hooked up to the machine it doesn't read anything.....I ask that you guys can please help me with this car, & I also have proof of everything I just wrote receipts and all.

Filed Feb 17, 2008 · Acceleration · 66,000 miles · NY

My cruise control light goes on and off without me pushing the button on the steering wheel. It won't work for that day or longer, then it works again. Just wondering if it is the fuse or the module.

Filed Apr 26, 2006 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · OH

Cruise control disengages itself when climbing moderate rises in road.