Most common 2003 Chevrolet Impala problems
Share of the 695 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Impala complaints by model year
Best Impala years: 2020, 2019, 2018. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2004. Compare all years →
2003 Chevrolet Impala recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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.
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 engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Chevrolet Impala:
Alleged headlight failure
A total of 646,038 subject vehicles were sold during my 2001-2003, and the complaint and warranty data tabulated above apply to the total vehicle population.complaint reports alleging headlight outage represent slightly more that one-half of the total number of complaints and the balance are allegations of flickering and dimming.investigation disclosed the root cause of the malfunction to be wear of a contact…
What 2003 Chevrolet Impala owners say
Electrical system all 264 →
My car sometimes cuts off while driving. Was on highway 301 running about 60 mph in the middle lane and just lost power no warning. No code no nothing. Sacred me, I truly feel that's a safety issue, for me and the cars behind me. It's bad not knowing when or where this will happen again.
Under the hood fire and unintended key rotation. Maybe 5 days after I took my vehicle into tc Chevy (in ashland oregon) to have the 2 recalls repaired on it. I tried to start my car and it caught on fire down by the front bumper and the flames made it to the back side of the motor and ignited the fuel lines causing a Mini explosion under the hood, mean while I'm sitting in the driver's seat. I jumped out of the car nearly having the life scared out of me, I popped the hood and grabbed my house garden house and started to try and put the fire out and minimize the damage to my vehicle while I waited for the fire department to reach my house. The fire department showed up and was able to get the fire put out almost torching one of the firefighters head when the fuel pump kicked on without the keys in the ignition and started shooting gasoline reigniting the fire. …
Engine & cooling all 168 →
Hey my name is [redacted] 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.
Under the hood fire and unintended key rotation. Maybe 5 days after I took my vehicle into tc Chevy (in ashland oregon) to have the 2 recalls repaired on it. I tried to start my car and it caught on fire down by the front bumper and the flames made it to the back side of the motor and ignited the fuel lines causing a Mini explosion under the hood, mean while I'm sitting in the driver's seat. I jumped out of the car nearly having the life scared out of me, I popped the hood and grabbed my house garden house and started to try and put the fire out and minimize the damage to my vehicle while I waited for the fire department to reach my house. The fire department showed up and was able to get the fire put out almost torching one of the firefighters head when the fuel pump kicked on without the keys in the ignition and started shooting gasoline reigniting the fire. …
Lights all 104 →
Tl 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. …
My turning signals work on and off all of a sudden. The first time it happened I was on the freeway and was attempting to get over and my right turning signal wouldn't work but the left turning signal worked fine. Then after a day or two the right turning signal would work but then the left turning signal won't work. Then all of a sudden they would both work then both stop working. Now a month has passed and neither one of them work most the time, but will work for a hot second and then stop working. This is only for the rear turning signal though the front turning signal have always worked properly and still do.
2003 Chevrolet Impala engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Impala a good car?
Based on 695 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Impala rates average: 13% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Impala at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?
The electrical system — 264 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the engine & cooling (168) and lights (104).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, the most recent from October 26, 2015 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Impala?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2019 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2009 and 2004. See the full Chevrolet Impala years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Impala problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.