The Lemon Index2003 Chevrolet Impala.
The 2003 Chevrolet Impala is better than average by owner complaints: 144 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 66, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Impala year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 695 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Impala year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 126K miles on the car (511 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 65K–141K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 50K–109K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 88K–170K miles
Recalls 8
- engine 2015
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.
- electrical 2014
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.
- engine 2009
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 NA…
Show all 8 recalls
- steering 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
- steering 2008
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 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" B…
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- airbags 2003
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.
- airbags 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 477 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Firm transmission shifts, shudder / chuggle, transmission won't downshift on deceleration,…
- Information to dealers regarding service bulletin 020730039 - firm transmission shifts,…
- Whine or growl noise from engine after cold start
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedAlleged headlight failure2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When driving at different speeds and applying the brakes there was a severe vibration in the steering wheel. The consumer contacted the dealership and was informed by the mechanic that a possible cause was warped brake rotors.
2003 Chevrolet Impala owner · NHTSA complaint 10038225
More owner reports
The rear rotors had to be replaced and the front rotors turned. Eleven months later, both sets of rotors were defective again. When touching the brakes they pulsated. The manufacture stated that brakes were considered a wear item.
NHTSA complaint 10097047
Strong smell of anti-freeze in the passenger area of 2003 Chevrolet Impala.
NHTSA complaint 10046971
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Impala year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Impala problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (26%), engine (17%) and lights (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?
8 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Impala problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,000 and 126,000 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 511 complaints.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Impala year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works