2003 Chevrolet Impala: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala: 5 recalls, 695 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V222000 · 2002 · 133,221 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Airbags Vehicle recall #03V051000 · 2003 · 130 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #09V116000 · 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2016.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V400000 · 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #15V701000 · 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold May result in a fire.
The fix: 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 engineâs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the…
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system (other) Equipment recall #07E021000 · 2007 · 742 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
Why it matters: Fuel May leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Steering Equipment recall #08E063000 · 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
What's wrong: 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of September 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube May be defective.
Why it matters: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008.
Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles
What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 26 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (264): the most common themes are electrical failure (95), won't start (56), stalls / loses power (52).
- Exterior lights (103): the most common themes are warning light on (17), stalls / loses power (17), electrical failure (10).
- Engine (88): the most common themes are fire / smoke (22), stalls / loses power (15), leaks (15).
- Engine & cooling (80): the most common themes are leaks (28), stalls / loses power (13), overheating (10).
The 2003 Chevrolet Impala has 695 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 28 Impala model years for complaints (1.9× the average Impala year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (92 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 82,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (795 complaints, 4 recalls), 2004 (1073 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Impala problems?
Owners have filed 695 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (264), exterior lights (103), engine (88).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Chevrolet Impala repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.