Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While the vehicle was stationary, the low beam headlights malfunctioned. The contact stated that the headlights would not illuminate when prompted. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 139,000.
Headlights suddenly went out when driving. No warning. Could only use high beam lights when lever constantly pressed when driving. Very dangerous. Not fuses, not bulbs, ultimately $800 multifunction switch needed replacement. Appears to be a known hazard.
The multifunction switch malfunctions. In switching from low beam to high beam the headlights do not switch and eventually go out completely. By holding the handle manually for high beams it cancels cruise control when activated.
Sometimes when im driving and im trying to pass someone and I go to use my signal light they do not work then I can go down the road they will work plus my lights wont go on bright without shutting off.
After I go back and forth between my bright headlights and regular All of a sudden my headlights shut off it happens after so many times going between them
When the weather is hot, the car will not start. Once started the electrical system throws multiple errors, from security, battery, service engine soon, ABS light, seat belt light, and brakes. The radio is locked out and the ac fan runs but will not allow the ac compressor to function. Also the head lights flash and the complete dash board goes dead including all gauges, from the speedometer, fuel and temperature gauge. The warning bell continues to ring as the battery light comes on. This is a could cause a very dangerous situation with no head lights and no working gauges on the dash, and should for some reason the security system shuts the car down while driving, could cause a serious accident. GM seem to be neglecting this issue, and even GM and their dealerships claim to know nothing about this. Yet in multiple Impala forums, this is the top issue with this vehicle. …
Low-beam headlights have failed to come on and will no longer function. High-beams and daytime running lights still function, but at dusk the low-beams will fail to light; however high-beams can be used instead creating a traffic hazard. I replaced the multi-function switch with a new switch, and replaced the relay with a known good working relay. The relay will still work and actuate indicating that the relay is not the problem. I checked the bulbs and they are still good, fuses are fine, 12v positive power is present at the bulb, but the ground is not activated on either side at any time. All problems point to a bad body control module (BCM). I have checked online and there are many many complaints about this vehicle with the same problem. …
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. …
NHTSA investigations
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…
Headlight complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 104 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, 15% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Impala headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Impala headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.