Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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 to be adding bottle after bottle of power steering fluid to my car everytime we need to go somewhere. …
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.
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.
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 to cost around $2500 and up depending on what they find but will automatically start at $2500. …
Tl 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 the passenger seat heater and rear window defogger were inoperative. …
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 left turn the bumping sound happened again. …
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 on this problem.
Clunking noise in front end especially when you are in a turn. Also could feel a "thump" through the steering wheel at same time. We are stationed in Germany in the air force. Took it to the opel dealer (Chevy equiv. In Germany) and they diagnosed it as the intermediate shaft needing to be replaced. After $300 and a long time waiting for the part, it was replaced and hasn't given us a problem since. Also have had major problem with this car "eating" brakes and rotors. Reminds me exactly of my Buick regal I had with the same brake issues. After I sold the regal, I was sent info on a class action suit against GMC for the same brake issues. Both are great cars but brakes stink.
Dt: the consumer states that the steering column squeals and klunks. When the consumer turns the steering wheel it klunks. It did not happen all the time,-per the consumer. Ttok the car back to the dealership 11 times because it klunked. The consumer has been trying to have this fixed 2 years. The dealership has heard the noise. When the consumer takes the car to the dealer and it is not making the noise, the dealer won't fix it. They have put in a new column twice. The consumer was a month late on filing on the lemon law. The owner just does not want the car. The car is a 2003 Chevy Impala. *akthe owner has talked to GM and they were very rude to the consumer.
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, 4% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is gear box › shaft sector (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.