I own a 2003 chevy impala. In 2007 I began having problems with the car doors not locking and then the horn going off when I opened the door. A fuse was blowing out so I was instructed by one of the mechanics at the dealership to buy some fuses and change them as they go out. I also had issues with the car not wanting to start. I had the car at the dealership 6 times. The last time it was brought in via tow truck because it wouldn't start at all. No computer codes ever registered. In exasperation they replaced the body control module. This seemed to "fix" the problem. Now a year and a half later and out of both my warranty and extended warranty we're having the same problems again. I've taken it again to the dealership and they drove it for three days. Can't find anything wrong with it again. I drove it and today it wouldn't lock and or start. I waited about 30 minutes and was able to get it to start again. The car doesn't even have 80,000 miles on it and I'm sick of these problems! This car is not reliable transportation for me anymore and the dealership doesn't seem to be concerned. Why is there no recall on this? I think I'm going to have to go trade in my car for something more reliable since no one can seem to figure out these issues nor repair them!
2003 Chevrolet Impala electrical complaints
Page 9 of 10: complaints 221 to 250 of 264, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2003 chevy impala which I bought new in 2003 it has only 40,000 miles on it. It has been doing strange things electrically, it locks up won't start, passlock/system lights have messages like security, service vehicle soon. Installed new ignition switch, battery. Had it scanned and no problems detected. Always had a gm vehicle, if this is how they make cars and don't acknowledge that there are problems foreign vehicles might be the answer.
Sometimes when you go out to start the vehicle, it will not start. Have been told that they have a problem with the anti-theft system on these vehicles, I can believe this since the security light does not flash when the problem occurs. This is very troubling since it can happen at any time, you never know if you will get the car to start. Someone should make gm own up to this problem and get it fixed, as I am sure it is not just on my vehicle.
I have a 2003 chevy impala and the security light keeps going on when I drive or a few minutes after sometimes it wont start too. Has new fuel pump,filter,complete tune up, everything is up to date on my car but the security light will still come on. I have heard plenty of complains and they all lead down to the " passlock system" so far no one can figure it out. They said the ignitions wire must be soldered directly to the passlock sensor? But I don't really know.
We bought my son a 2003 chevy impala, the speedometer has quit functioning all of the sudden. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. He drives over two hours back and forth to college and I feel it is quite a safety issue and chevy will do nothing about it. I have read many complaints from people with the same issue and feel this should be a recall! I don't have $500.00 for the repair which many other people have had to pay!
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. In august of 2007, while driving approximately 25 MPH, the turn signals failed. Immediately following this incident, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, lifted the hood, and noticed smoke rising from the engine. She took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the mechanic informed her that the radiator was cracked and needed to be repaired. The repairs were made, but the vehicle overheated again months later. In august of 2008, body work was performed on the vehicle and afterwards the exterior lighting began to illuminate on and off automatically. She took the vehicle back to the body shop and was informed that the failure was due to a defective combination switch. The combination switch was replaced and the mechanic stated that the repair was unsuccessful; therefore, the original part was reinstalled. After the failed attempt to repair the failure, the mechanic performed a diagnostic test and stated that the failure was due to the combination switch. The manufacturer and dealer have not been notified. The current mileage was 171,920 and failure mileage was 150,000.
Security light on, lights flashing inside car, car will not start, towed to dealer while on warranty, they said no problem. Has happened 3 times, last time car has failed to start and has sat for 3 months. No warning prior to this , it just doesn't start.
The bcm in the 2003 chevy impala has been a very very big problem in my new car. I recently bought this car, and had all types of problems with the locks, light, radio, starting the car, security lock, etc.
My 2003 chevy impala has the passlock security system and out the blue my car will not start. This has occurred 3 times in the past 3 months. The 1st time it started right up at the dealer but they said the fuel pump was bad. The second time was on fathers day and I waited 10 minutes and it started up. Took it back to the dealer but they just said without a code they can't do anything. Third time I again waited 10 minutes and it started. I just know some day that trick is not going to work. Why can't gm admit there is a problem and correct this problem. Its all over the internet and people are spending tons of money on fixes that don't solve the problem.
This is an ongoing problem with chevrolet cars with "passlock" security. The security banner will appear in the dash monitor. Shortly after this the car will not start for 10 to 15 minutes,after being shut off. The electrical system is in perfect working order. During this time the security banner alternates with the battery icon. With the ign switch in the on position. After the 10 to 15 minutes the car will correct itself and start as if nothing happened. My true concern here is that,this is my wife's car and now she tells me she leaves it running at the gas pump. For fear of it not starting. This is where safety comes in. Is it not posted on all gas pumps. To shut off engine? Many of these cars are not under warranty. And the dealers from reports I've read seem to throw parts at this problem at the car owners cost. There should be a recall on this matter. Before someone is injured or killed at a gas pump, with their car left running because it may not start. Thank you
Traction control light and ABS light both can come on at intermittent times. Both happen when turning into or backing out of a parking space in any sort of weather including perfectly dry cement. I have been told that this problem has lead to accidents with individuals because you don't get the full breaking power when making turns. This happens also when making slow turns around any corner. The problem is now happening almost all of the time when making turns. I have been told to replace my front hubs as well as the wiring harnesses but I have been reading up on it and have seen that none of those things have worked for anyone and the problem continues to come back after spending over $1000 dollars.
My security light started to flash then everything went crazy from there lights blinking on and off doors locking and unlocking then the radio will show locked on it trunk will open while driving down the road. The vehicle would start on cool days now that it has turned hot it will not start at all. I have read all kinds of complaints on this matter this issue really needs to be looked into and issue a recall I have had numerous dealers tell me it is a bcm and it will cost approx 500.00 if so many of these impalas are having this problem someone needs to do something or tell someone how to fix this without paying 500.00.
Security light would come on intermittently, door locks won't work, sometimes car wouldn't start. Security system is bad. Had to have a new ignition switch. Car still won't start. Now needs a body control module. Car still at mechanics. I have been without my car for 60 days. Unsure what bill is up to. Car would start overheating. Occurred 3-5 times before it was diagnosed and fixed. It was the lower intake manifold gasket. Replaced it for around $600.00. Headlights go out while driving. Mechanic and dealer has never been able to figure out why. Nothing has been done to fix the problem. Car would start knocking and ride rough to the point that it couldn't be driven. It occurred 2 times on different bolts. Rocker arm bolts were blown out of the head. Fixed for $300.00 each time.
I have a 2003 chevrolet impala that started having problems not starting. My wife has been stranded several times and when I would arrive the car would start. I started happening every two weeks or so now it happens every time we use the car. If you it set for 10 to 30 minutes it will start. I have found that if you remove the fuse to the bcm for about 30 sec the car will start . I have read several web site about the problem and they say that cost $500 to have the problem repaired by a dealer. I believe that with as many people are having the same problem there should be a investigation why gm isn't recalling cars with this problem.
Car wouldn't start at random on day, wouldn't crank, security light would flash when key was turned to on, took it to dealer and they said it was the passlock sensor and ignition switch. About a week later did the same thing, no crank and security light flashing, they reprogrammed it again and said that the bcm might be going out. Didn't have a problem with it for about 3 weeks, then it did the same thing again. Car sat for about a week before taking it to the dealer and they just had to jump the car and it started. After I got it back the third time the check engine light was on, the auto locks and headlights did not work. Now about 3 months later, car is doing the same thing again...
Passlock system on 2003 impala keeps locking out the fuel system keeping the car from starting. The ignition switch was previously replaced for this reason, now it's happening again.
My 2003 chevrolet impala the speedometer reads 140 miles at all time or shows nothing.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the headlights and instrument panel lights shut off. The first failure, the lights illuminated again and the second time, the contact could only use the high beams. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 73,500 and failure mileage was 53,500.
My wife was driving home during evening hours on a narrow 2 lane county road when without warning the headlights and interior lights totally turned off. She immediately stopped on the roadway as there was no shoulder to move onto. She tried to operate the headlights manually with no effect. The engine was not affected. She called me via cell phone and began to explain when the lights came back on. She proceeded toward our home and about 500 feet from our driveway the lights went off again. I searched the internet and found several other identical instances with no resolution as the problem appears intermittently. An internet tech said the fix is to replace the body control module (bcm). I have already had one replaced at my expense for a non-related problem on 08/04/2006. I have not yet called the dealer this time because of their denial of the previous bcm problem - that once replaced at my insistence fixed that problem. This is a very dangerous and scary situation with huge potential for harm. My wife will now not drive the car at night and much of her work (and mine) involves evening meetings.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. While driving various speeds at night, the instrumental panel lights, headlights, and turn signals failed. The vehicle was repaired on august 3, 2007. The dealer replaced the body control module and the lights functioned normally for three months. The dealer informed the manufacturer that they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The current mileage was 78,868 and failure mileage was 70,407. Updated 04/03/08. *lj the consumer stated the problem happened aganon on march 15,2008.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The security light on the instrument panel flashed. The failure occurs approximately during every tenth start attempt. The vehicle has not yet been taken to the dealer. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised to make an appointment with the local dealer. The current and failure mileages were 94,000.
Went to work early one morning, when I got off work got in car, put key in ignition and ignition would not turn. Had not had any previous problems with ignition at all. I tried other spare keys and they also would not turn ignition. A mechanic say that it is the ignition cylinder is froze.
Theft system had to be disabled because car would not start 3 times and had to be towed. Remote car access had to be removed for above reason. Cost over $500 to repair. Faulty theft module.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the courtesy lights remained illuminated. In addition, the check engine light illuminated, the battery lights would scroll across the message center, and a chime would ring. The failures occur sporadically. The more the vehicle is driven, the more the failures occur. The dealer stated that the body control module needed to be replaced. The powertrain and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage is 65,746 and failure mileage was 65,600.
The car was bought new from dealership, with occasional grinding noises noted in reverse and headlights "surging" at night while driving. Dealership unable to replicate with the exception of grinding. I was told a loose wire was causing noise in reverse. On 09/26/05, after noticing hard stalls while attempting to start, the fuel pump went out $281.60 for new one. 12/09/05, to dealership for starting concerns and maintenance. 04/13/06-car would not start to leave work. Ward's chevrolet came to my work site. Left me a rental and kept my car until 04/20/06. I paid $674.56 for a 2nd fuel pump and fuel module. 06/21/06- to local garage with same complaints. $100 paid for "short" in electrical that caused no start and towing. 08/04/06-cooper buick in monroe,la- $281.00 for another fuel pump and recall on 2003 impala headgaskets that I was unaware of. 11/22/06-no start, turn over-went outside 3 hours later-starts with hard start. 12/06/06-brakes went from quiet to grinding-slow hard starts continue. Ward's kept the car for a month-never told me what was wrong with car except brakes. Did not charge. At this time I had requested a gm investi.-no results-states"the dealership was unable to replicate concern". The car continues to have slow, hard starts with very noticeable gas smells. The smell of gas has been occurring since 04/20/06 repairs. Now service, ABS, security lights come on and off intermittently with the smell of gas and slow, hard starts. I have been calling ward's since the first week of march 2007 requesting factory rep. To meet and drive car after their having a month with no improvements in cars functioning. I called this a.m. To be informed that new service dept. Manager was not aware of problem. This is the 4th time since march I have requested the factory rep. With no response from ward's.
When driving for long periods of time (around 2-3 hours), the radio console where the time is displayed gets very hot to the touch.
Dt*: the contact stated the engine and all the electrical system turned off while driving 40 MPH. The ignition was turned on right after, however the vehicle stalled after five minutes while driving 10 MPH. An independent mechanic determined that the toggle switch of the passlock security system had become defective. Updated 8/1/2006 -
Ignition - key would not turn. Unable to move car. Warm, sunny day at a local store parking lot. Car had to be towed to dealership. Cause: frozen lock cylinder. Dealership had car for two (2) days to order part, reprogram and replaced. Safety was a issue. Cost to replace was $600.
2003 impala ls - headlights go off while driving. Just shut off. Doesn't matter if manual headlight switch is engaged or not. Intermittent failure, sometimes not for two hours, sometime every few seconds, sometimes when switching low to high beams, no specific speed or driving conditions. All interior lights and parking lights appear to remain on when the headlights fail. Sometimes can get headlights back on by switching off and on again, sometimes by flashing low to high, but they don't always come back on regardless of action. Sometimes just have to park the car until daylight. Car had just over 44,000 miles on it when I bought it. Drove for two weeks, but never at night, so not exactly sure of mileage of first incident. Happened second time I drove the car at night. Unable to repeat incident at dealer, but car was in "park" when they looked at it, and it was daytime. It could be happening while daytime, too, but I can't tell from inside the car. I could get a ticket in maryland for driving with no headlights while using windshield wipers.
Ignition - key would not turn. Unable to move car. Warm , sunny day. Car towed to dealership. Cause: frozen lock cylinder. Dealership had car for three (3) days to order part, reprogram and replace. Dealership said they had three (3) other cars with same problem during that one week! Safety: this could have happened anywhere such as while pumping gas or stopping on the side of the road. Consequence: car had to be towed. I lost three (3) days use of my car.
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