2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA Steering Problems
25 NHTSA complaints on file
Steering Issues in the 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
25 steering complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. Of these, 2 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.
25
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Steering Complaints
ON 3/21/2021 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 25 MILES, WHEN MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE AND IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE WITH EACH TURN. MY HUSBAND SOON REALIZED IT HAD TO BE THE POWER STEERING FLUID. SO HE PUT A BOTTLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL! SO I PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY TO HEAD HOME. AS SOON AS WE GOT TO OUR EXIT ABOUT 23 MILES FROM WHERE WE HAD JUST PUT THE FLUID IN. IT STARTED MAKING THE SAME WHINING NOISE. SO BACK TO THE STORE FOR MORE POWER STEERING FLUID. HE FILLS IT UP. THE NEXT MORNING SAME PROBLEMS. WE KNOW NOW THERE IS A LEAK IN OUR POWER STEERING BUT NOT SURE WHERE EXACTLY. MY CAR NOW SITS AS WE CAN'T AFFORD...
THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE RUBS AGAINST SOME PART OF THE MOTOR AND RUB A HOLE IN POWER STEERING RETURN HOUSE
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED 2/24/17 SINCE THEN I HAVE OUT 3 ENGINES AND 2 RADIATORS AND MY CAR IS BACK DOWN AGAIN.
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. IT SEEMS TO BE PRIMARILY WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. SOMETIMES IT'S COMPLETELY LOCKED AND SOMETIMES IT IS JUST VERY HARD TO TURN. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE I BELIEVE IT MAY BE THE STEERING SHAFT CAUSING THE ISSUE. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING.
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
MY 2003 IMPALA HAS A SECURITY PASSLOCK FEATURE WHICH EITHER DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO START OR SHUT VEHICLE OFF WHEN IT THINKS IT'S BEING STOLEN. MY VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN THIS SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, AT THIS POINT I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. THIS IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OS GM VEHICLES THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT BUT GIVE NO SOLUTION OR RECALL TO. INSTEAD, CONSUMERS ARE BEING STUCK FOOTING THE BILL TO TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE. PLEASE HELP HOLD GM RESPONSIBLE AND REPAIR OUR VEHICLES BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR. THERE ARE PAGES OF POSTS IN SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO HELP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
DRIVER OBSERVED TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP, HIS BRAKES GAVE OUT, HE COULD NOT STEER LEFT OR RIGHT TO AVOID A CAR IN FRONT OF HIM WHICH CAUSED HIM TO REAR-END THE UNIT. HIS AIR-BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BECOMING LOOSE, AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR. SMALL FUEL LEAK IN FUEL TANK. UPDATED 4/24/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,970.
THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON THE DASH PANEL AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND PULL TO ONE SIDE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE PROBLEM QUICKLY GREW INTO THE CAT CONSTANTLY PULLS TO ONE SIDE AND THE STEERING FEELS SLOPPY AND LOOSE IF THAT MAKES SENSE. THE TRACTION CONTROL DOESN'T WORK BUT WILL RANDOMLY KICK IN WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR INSTANTLY FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AND GRINDER BUT THE WORSE PART IS HOW THE PULLING TO ONE SIDE BECOMES A QUICK GRAB AND JERK TO ONE SIDE AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND I CANNOT RELAX AND DRIVE. I AM ALWAYS TENSE AND READY TO FIGHT TO KEEP MY CAR GOING STRAIGHT AND NOW WITH THE BAD MICHIGAN WINTER ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ON SOME DAYS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRACTION CONTROL PUMP WHICH IS GOING...
ACTED AS IF IT DOSEN'T HAVE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT, VERY STIFF,AND JERKY. TOTAL CUT OUT ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. WHEN TRY TO PUT FUEL IN GAS TANK HAVE TO HOLD FUELING NOZZLE BARLEY OPEN OR IT WILL NOT TAKE FUEL. DROVE TO WORK, GOT OFF OF WORK WENT TO START IT, IT WOULD START WITH OUT A JUMP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN COMPLETING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING) BUT HAD NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,330.
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA W/ DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON CAR FROM FACTORY. WHILE DRIVING EARLY 4:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO STREETS LIGHTS. I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WITHIN A SECOND ALL EXTERIOR, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN OUT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NOT THE CONSUMER. NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I PRAY THAT YOUR JUST NOT ENTERING THESE COMPLAINTS INTO THE DATA BASE, BUT LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT YOU CARE AND ARE WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO, NOTICE THAT WHILE LOOKING FOR RECALL ON THIS MATTER THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINT ON THIS MULTIFUNCTION. CONSUMER'S CAN'T FIX THIS WITHOUT A LOT EXPENSES AND REMOVE AIRBAGS. WILL YOU DO YOUR BEST ON RECALLING OR GETTING RECALLS...
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS FOR VEHICLE AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,262. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 05/31/11
CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 AFTER RUNNING OVER A POTHOLE FEB. 2009, A CLICKING SOUND WAS IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED WITH EACH REVOLUTION OF THE WHEEL. TOOK IT TO A PEP BOYS FOR INSPECTION. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG AFTER VISUAL AND DRIVE INSPECTION. STILL CONTINUED TO HEAR CLICKING SOUND. ON OCT. 6, WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND TURNING WHEEL TO LEFT, A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND WAS MADE. STOPPED CAR, GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHETHER OR NOT ANYTHING WAS ON GROUND, ETC. NOTHING WAS THERE. SOUND CONTINUED UNTIL CHANGING GEAR TO DRIVE. OCT. 12, 2010 TURNED WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT WHILE IN DRIVE AND A VERY LOUD CLICKING- THEN BUMPING NOISE WAS MADE. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO BREAK OR SOMETHING IF I CONTINUED TURNING. I WAS SIX BLOCKS FROM HOME, SO DROVE SLOWLY AND VERY SLOWLY FOR THE NEXT 2 LEFT TURNS IN WHICH ON THE 2ND...
IT WAS RAINING, CAR STARTED TO SKID TO THE RIGHT, STEERED LEFT TO CORRECT, LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. SERIOUS INJURIES TO BELTED DRIVER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. 3,000 MILES AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SHE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. ON APRIL 8, 2003, DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS, NOV. 19, 2003 FREED UP SLIDERS, MARCH 26, 2004 FULL ROTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED IN FLORIDA, JUNE 7, 2005 COMPLETE BRAKE CHANGE. AUG. 16, 2005 RESURFACED BRAKES AND ROTORS, JAN. 16, 2006 REFACED REAR ROTORS, JUNE 30, 2006 REPLACED REAR ROTORS AND REFACED FRONT ROTORS, JAN. 10, 2007 RESURFACE WORK NEEDED TO BE DONE BUT DID NOT PERFORM REPAIRS, MAY 23, 2007 REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, MAY 22, 2008, REPLACED REAR PADS AND SERVICED CALIPERS. THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS AND FEEL AS THOUGH THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN TO REMEDY TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3259 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50295. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER AND REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER...
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 25,000 MILES. NOW AT 45,000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALSO, BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 25,000 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 45,000 MILES. *TR
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA (I BOUGHT IT NEW) PROBLEM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING, I HEAR AND FEEL CLUNKING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN . I ALSO FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WET AWAY FOR A MONTH OR SO BUT RETURNED. EACH TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I HOPE THE STEERING DOES NOT FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NO MORE GENERAL MOTORS CARS FOR ME. I HAVE BOUGHT GM SINCE1969. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1 AND 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (01-02-32001H) REGARDING THIS SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.
EXPERIENCING CLUNK IN STEERING; ALSO FAILED ROTORS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THERE WAS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNABLE TO MERGE INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT AND WOULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *SCC *JB
Other 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA Problem Areas
Electrical System
231 complaints
Engine
88 complaints
Exterior Lighting
57 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
40 complaints
Air Bags
28 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
27 complaints
Unknown Or Other
23 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
21 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
20 complaints
Service Brakes
19 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
18 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
18 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
15 complaints
Traction Control System
15 complaints
Power Train
14 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
13 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
13 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
12 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
10 complaints
Structure
10 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
9 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
9 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
9 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
9 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
9 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
7 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
7 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
5 complaints
Structurebody
5 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
4 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
4 complaints
Seats
4 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
3 complaints
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lightsswitch
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
3 complaints
Interior Lighting
3 complaints
Seat Belts
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
3 complaints
Steeringgear Boxshaft Sector
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
3 complaints
Visibility
3 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
3 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
3 complaints
Child Seat
2 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
2 complaints
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingfog Lights
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
2 complaints
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
1 complaint
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
1 complaint
Equipmentotherownersserviceother Manual
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingback Up Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
1 complaint
Fuel System Diesel
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
1 complaint
Parking Brake
1 complaint
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Hubs
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
1 complaint
Service Brakes Electric
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structureframe And Members
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Suspensionfronthub
1 complaint
Tiresbead
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint
Visibilitywiper
1 complaint