2003 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

168 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,180. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints: 168
of this car's complaints: 24%
typical mileage: 100,180
crashes: 1
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Engine
18
Cooling system
9
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
7
Exhaust system
4
Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
3
Engine: gasoline
2
Cooling system: fan
2
Cooling system: radiator assembly
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Chevrolet Impala engine problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't start 84 Stalling 50 Overheating 18 Check engine light 16 Loss of power 16 Engine failure 11 Knocking 7

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
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 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 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.

Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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 engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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.

Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details

What 2003 Chevrolet Impala owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 21, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Fuel line leaking gas under engine.

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · PA · 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 cause they had to fix my head gasket for free but I need help getting these thing fixes. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · 119,022 miles · AL

Vehicle shuts off when moving,turning or stopped at a traffic light. By switching to neutral, the engine may start after 1 or more tries. So far the failures have been on city streets and highways. But not interstates. The failures are many but unpredictable.

Filed Aug 28, 2020 · Body, Electrical · 185,000 miles · MI · fire

Vehicle fire. Vehicle caught fire while cruising at highway speeds. Very dangerous. Vehicle is a total loss.

Filed Aug 17, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 200,200 miles · IL · fire

I just recently bought this vehicle 03/11/20 and it ran great till yesterday when the intake manifold exploded and caught fire to the engine from the fuel lines melted this happened when I was getting a jump. It says there are no recalls pending it is the 3.8l and it looked original all the parts did can you please help me out

Filed Apr 23, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 144,150 miles · VA · fire

The incident happened this morning as I was leaving for work. My car was parked in our driveway and had not been driven in 2 days. I got in the vehicle and put the key in the ignition and as soon as I turned it to start there was a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot which I thought was a backfire. The entire plastic intake manifold gasket had exploded into pieces and white smoke began to rise from under the hood. When I opened the hood and the smoke cleared I began to assess the issue, I noticed the manifold gasket cover had been blown completely off and the manifold itself was in pieces. I've done some research and this seems to be a common but uncommon thing among early 2000's gm vehicles.

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Engine, Steering · 196,897 miles · SC

The power steering return hose rubs against some part of the motor and rub a hole in power steering return house

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · PA

The security system locks and will not let me start the vehicle every couple times the vehicle is started.

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 200,000 miles · MO

Recall id 240424 received this from credit karma. Currently our car is having overheating issues. Engine cooling issues,exhaust manifold/header/muffler/tailpipe, oil leaking on to my exhaust I'm afraid to drive it, afraid it may catch fire.

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Engine · 100,000 miles · SC

Coolant system has been an ongoing problem with the vehicle. After refilling coolant and oil, it was discovered that oil and coolant were dripping underneath the car. According to a gm representative, there are service bulletins out for this year make and model, but I've been told my VIN is not one of them. It has all the same symptoms described in other bulletins. I'm not sure how/why this VIN isn't included when the same symptoms exist.

Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala engine

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have engine problems?

Owners have filed 168 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, 24% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Impala engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,180 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Impala have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (229 complaints), 2009 (199 complaints) and 2001 (188 complaints).