Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
77
Latest Jun 26, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 694 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 77 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 77, in the owner's own words
Hey my name is [XXX] 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. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ID
11471068
Incident
Nov 18, 2021
AirbagsBrakesEngine
Filed Feb 26, 2021
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN MOVING,TURNING OR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. BY SWITCHING TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE MAY START AFTER 1 OR MORE TRIES. SO FAR THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. BUT NOT INTERSTATES. THE FAILURES ARE MANY BUT UNPREDICTABLE.
NHTSA ID
11398056
Incident
Feb 17, 2021
Mileage
119,022 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2019
REAR RIGHT BRAKE LINE LEAKING FLUID. THIS COULD BE A FATAL ACCIDENT IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA REAR RIGHT BRAKE LINE IS RUSTED BADLY. THE BRAKE LINE ACTUALLY RUBBING AGAINST AN ACROSS LINE THAT HAS A BUNCH OF ELECTRIC LINES BUNDLED TOGETHER WHICH IS GOING OVER THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE AND ENDS UP CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE WORN OUT AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IS IT POSSIBLE THE ADMINISTRATION COULD CONDUCT A RESEARCH ON THE MODEL OF THIS CAR FOR THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA ID
11185824
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 11, 2019
MY AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME, I HAVE TO CHANGE MY BRAKES EVER 2 MONTHS BC THEY START TO LOCK UP AND GO THROUGH BRAKE PADS LIKE NOTHING. I ALSO HAVE ELECTRONICAL PROBLEMS MY BLINKERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AN WHEN IT STARTS TO NOT WORK MY LIGHTS DIM IF THE RADIO IS ON IT TURNS DOWN IT'S HAPPENING MORE AN MORE
NHTSA ID
11166488
Incident
Apr 21, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2017
THIS PROBLEM A STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 90000 MILES. WHILE I WAS GOING AROUND A RIGHT TURN THE TRACTION ACTION WOULD COME ON. NOW IT SEEMS SOMETIMES WHEN I AM JUST DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. I CAN ALSO FEEL MY ABS COME ON WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA ID
10971491
Incident
Oct 10, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 14, 2016
ABS, TRACTION, AND BREAK LIGHTS COME ON........ THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PADDLE ITS OFTEN LIKE THE BRAKES WANT TO LOCK UP , WITH A SCRUBBING SOUND.... ALSO WHEN I PUSH THE BREAK PADDLE DOWN IT OFTEN MAKES A SOUND AND THE BREAK PADDLE FEELS LIKE IT COMES BACK UP WITH THE BREAK STILL DOWN,.........BUT THEN WHEN I DRIVE LIKE 20-25 MILES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND HARDLY COME ON UNTIL I STOP AGAIN
NHTSA ID
10925752
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 19, 2016
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON. ALSO, THERE WAS A CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, FREON WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. . *JB
NHTSA ID
10838275
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED VIOLENTLY ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN
NHTSA ID
10794724
Incident
Oct 14, 2015
Mileage
139,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 23, 2015
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
NHTSA ID
10678452
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Sep 22, 2014
Crash reported
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
NHTSA ID
10638104
Incident
Sep 12, 2014
Mileage
103,407 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE TRACTION AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED DURING ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HUB SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,300.
NHTSA ID
10631958
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
80,300 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 11, 2014
(3) PROBLEMS THAT ARE, AND HAVE BEEN, OCCURING. 1) SECURITY ISSUE: CAR WILL NOT START WHEN KEY IS TURN TO START. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. HAVE TO LET SECURITY RESET ITSELF AFTER 10 MINUTES AND CAR WILL START AGAIN. 2) ABS LIGHT ON: RANDOM. BRAKES WILL GRIND AT CERTAIN TIMES WHEN BRAKING. HARNESS AND/OR SENSOR PROBLEM. 3) TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON: TRACTION KCIKS IN WHEN DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAVE TO TURN TRACTOIN OFF FOR IT TO STOP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10609950
Incident
Jun 12, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Dec 27, 2013
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. THAT COST IS RIDICULOUS AND I HAVE TALKED TO PROB APPROX A HUNDRED PEOPLE WHO EITHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OR KNEW OF SOMEONE WHO DOES, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. MY CAR IS NOW PARKED AND I HAVE TO BEG FOR RIDES TO WORK BECAUSE ITS WINTER AND I CANNOT PUT MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TO WORK AND TRANSPORT KIDS TO DIFFERENT EVENTS AND FEEL THAT THIS PART HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE FROM THE START IF THERE'S THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. AND ALL OF THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE. PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE TO SEE IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10557383
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2013
DRIVING SAID VEHICLE THANKFULLY AT LOW SPEED WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR . PULLED OVER AT SAW BRAKE FLUID . LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE SAW ROTTED OUT BRAKE LINES WITH A BIG HOLE IN ONE OF THEM AND THE OTHER IS JUST AS RUSTED . I CONSIDER THIS A GREAT SAFETY ISSUE . DUE TO IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY. NOTE: I SAW ON ABC NEW AND ON THE INTERNET THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH GM TRUCKS AS WELL. IT NOW SEEMS ITS NOT JUST TRUCKS. I KEEP MY CAR IN GREAT SHAPE AND HAVE IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND NEVER WAS INFORMED OF A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKE LINES. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10550091
Incident
Oct 29, 2013
Mileage
102,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2013
AT ANY TIME WHETHER TURNING OR PROCEEDING FORWARD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS TRACTION ACTIVATES AND STAYS ON. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF THIS RECALL WEBSITE. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 2006, 10,000MILES AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET ALL RECALL INFO SO I CAN TAKE TO DEALERSHIP AND GET FIXED WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED? ALSO WHENEVER IT RAINS THE FLOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT FILLS WITH WATER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2006. PLEASE EMAIL OR SEND LETTER FOR MY RECALLS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10533941
Incident
Aug 10, 2012
Mileage
58,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 1, 2013
ANTI-LOCKING BRAKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VSA LIGHT COMES ON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES AND PULSATES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ALSO THE VEHICLE DOESN'T' ACCELERATE IF DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS COULD OR WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE SYSTEM IS NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. SUSPECT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH IS BUILT INTO THE WHEEL HUB. I AM REQUESTING THIS ISSUE BE REPAIRED AND THE FACTORY EXPENSE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A VERY WELL KNOW DOCUMENTED CASE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10514667
Incident
Jun 21, 2012
Mileage
112,324 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2013
BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER BLEW, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED AND BRAKES FAILED. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. LINE WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD COME ON IMMEDIATELY WHEN A BRAKE LINE RUPTURES TO GIVE THE DRIVER TIME TO STOP BEFORE BRAKES FAIL COMPLETELY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10492188
Incident
Jan 8, 2013
Mileage
19,840 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 30, 2012
Crash reported2 injuries reported
ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR 3 YEARS. HAD THIS CHECKED BY DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS NOW STAY ON FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10473041
Incident
Jun 9, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SOON LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY TURNED THE TRACTION OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 276,000.
NHTSA ID
10469396
Incident
Jul 23, 2012
Mileage
276,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jul 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ABS, CHECK TRACTION SYSTEM AND TRAC OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC A THIRD TIME. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,878.
NHTSA ID
10466373
Incident
Apr 15, 2011
Mileage
112,878 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 26, 2011
GOT THIS CAR NEW 2003,AT 376 MILES HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS,HAD IT BACK TO DEALER 10 OR 11 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM,SO ABOUT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS I HAVE TO TURN ROTORS OR GET NEW ONE;S+BRAKE PADS,ALSO DASH LIGHTS ARE OUT,AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW,THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER OWNED ,AS I AM A RETIRED OTR TRUCK DRIVER ,SO I DONT MISUSE BRAKES. *TT
NHTSA ID
10432835
Incident
Nov 5, 2003
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 15, 2011
THE TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHT LIGHTS UP AFTER BACKING UP AND BRAKING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS. THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA ID
10425684
Incident
Sep 2, 2011
Mileage
79,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2011
UNDER HARD HIGH SPEED BRAKING THE FRONT BRAKES SHUDDER BADLY CAUSING A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY DUE TO WARPED ROTORS MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. IF PRESSURE ON PEDAL IS NOT RELEASED THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. IT IS WORSE IF GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON GM CARS BUILD IN THE LAST 8 YEARS. THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH POORLY MADE BRAKE ROTORS THAT WARP AT UNDER 15,000 MILES OF NORMAL USE. I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S 2003 IMPALA. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ROTORS REPLACED WITH PARTS OF ADEQUATE QUALITY. IF YOU CAN GET THE ISSUE ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER WILL ONLY EITHER TURN THE DEFECTIVE ROTORS OR REPLACE THEM WITH THE SAME OEM JUNK. THE ONLY FIX I HAVE FOUND IT TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTERMARKET ROTORS AND PADS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10424630
Incident
Aug 11, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2011
THE IMPALA HAS BRAKES THAT HAVE A LOT OF CHATTER. THE BRAKES PULSATE AND HAVE A VIOLENT SHAKING FIT. I HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 66,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED WITHIN 15000 MILES AND IT CONTINUES. THE QUALITY IS POOR AND IS A ROAD HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10423850
Incident
Sep 6, 2011
Mileage
113,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 2011
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. *KB
NHTSA ID
10419894
Incident
Aug 16, 2011
Mileage
93,500 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own