Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2002)
795 consumer complaints on file.
- #10191076May 17, 2007STEERING:COLUMN
LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN IN THE STEERING SHAFT. HOWEVER, GM HAS NOT RECALLED IT. SISTER-IN-LAW PURCHASED AN IMPALA SHORTLY AFTER I DID. SHE HAS SINCE HAD TO PAY $350.+ TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10190866May 16, 2007EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKED ON FIRST SETTING. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE DOOR THAT CONTROLS WHERE THE AIR WENT WAS NOT WORKING AND WOULD COST $500 TO $600 FOR REPAIRS. SEEMED TO WORK FINE WITH HEAT, BUT NOT WITH AIR. MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR WAS A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE, BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GET TO IT. NO DISCERNIBLE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10190390May 10, 2007EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNAL ILLUMINATES SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER UNIT AND MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A RECALL DOES NOT EXIST FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10190443May 10, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME IN FIVE YEARS , THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. WHILE THIS DID NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE DANGER IT COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IF SOMEONE NEEDED TO USE THEIR CAR FOR AN EMERGENCY , AND BECAUSE OF THE PASS LOCK FAILURE ENABLED TO RECEIVE THE HELP THEY NEEDED.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10190300May 9, 2007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
WHILE I LOVE MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA IT HAS TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT ITS SAFETY. FIRST, I HD REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS AND THE LINKAGE HAD BEEN RESET TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAYED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BLOCKING THE VIEW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE REAR BRAKES, WHICH DETERIORATED AND CRUSTED , REQUIRING FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, ETC. THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE IF NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE OWNER AND A RESPONSIBLE MECHANIC. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE DATE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERSWAS LISTED BELOW. THE BRAKES WERE FULLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2007.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10189278April 30, 2007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT. STAYS IN UP POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER IMPALAS SIINCE THIS HAS STARTED ON MY VEHICLE.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10189162April 28, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE THAT INVOLVES THE PASSLOCK IGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE WITH NO-START. I PURCHASED THE 2002 CHEVY IMPALA FROM A DEALER USED WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I STARTED HAVING THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER KEPT PUTTING IT ON DIAGNOSTICS AND CHARGING ME FOR ITEMS THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I NOW, THROUGH RESEARCH, HAVE DISCOVERED THE GM DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM THEY WILL NOT RECALL AND I AM A SINGLE WOMAN IN HER LATE 50'S THAT LIVES ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A NEW VEHICLE. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DEALERS AND THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A HONEST SOLUTION THAT WILL NOT REQUIRE ALMOST $1,000 REPLACEMENT ON THE IGNITION AND PASSLOCK SENSOR. I AM VERY ANGRY AND SITTING WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT GO ANYWHERE WITH THAT I PAID TOO MUCH FOR BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT AND NO ONE WILL HELP. I AM HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS AND I WANT HELP TO MAKE THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10189146April 27, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AT AROUND 40,000 MILES OUR 2002 IMPALA HAD BROWN STUFF SIMILAR TO PUDDING IN THE RADIATOR. WE HAVE LEARNED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE THAT GENERAL MOTORS PUTS IN THEIR VEHICLES. AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES THE CAR OVERHEATED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW HEAD GASKETS AT A COST $1300.00 POSSIBLY HIGHER IF THE HEADS ARE DAMAGED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES YET GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. WE HAVE PURCHASED A FORD CAR AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. I HAD BEEN A GM MAN FOR 30 YEARS BUT NOT ANYMORE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10186385March 28, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT IT WOULD NOT START. AAA WAS CALLED AND STATED IT WAS THE STARTER. NEXT MORNING, CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATES THAT IT IS ELECTRONIC .AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. DIAGNOSTIC CODES P1626, 1064. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10186305March 27, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE TWICE HAD TO TAKE MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA TO THE SHOP (RESULTING IN LOST TIME FROM WORK AND UNNECESSARY REPAIR BILLS) BECAUSE THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH THE COOLANT LEVEL IS FULL. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS TWICE FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT, DESPITE HAVING FLUSHED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND INSTALLING A NEW LOW COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR AT A COST OF $165. NOW I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT IT WILL COST AROUND $900 TO FIX IT PROPERLY. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 20,580 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST ATTENDED TO AND NOW STILL HAS ONLY 21,557 MILES. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10186322March 27, 2007EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ALL THE TIME MAKING FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185619March 20, 2007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK, BUT WHEN YOU CUT THEM OFF THEY STAND STRAIGHT UP INSTEAD OF LAYING DOWN.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185523March 19, 2007EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. IF THE DIMMER SWITCH IS PRESSED THE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 MILES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185279March 16, 2007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON 3/15/07 HE NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY FELT SOFT AND DRIFTED TO THE FLOOR. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE GARAGE FLOOR AND NOTICED SPOTS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE A DETERIORATING BRAKE FLUID LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO KEEP ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,995, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 >AK CONSUMER PROVIDED COPY OF PICTURES AND INVOICE. UPDATE *4/23/07 **TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10184371March 6, 2007EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY COME BACK ON WHEN YOU ACTIVATE THE HIGH/LOW BEAM LEVER. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURY HAVE OCCURRED. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS QUOTED $400-$600 TO FIX IT. I HAVE ORDERED A BODY CONTROL MODULE TO TRY TO FIX IT MYSELF. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10183328February 23, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
PASSLOCK FAILURE NO START. HAS HAPPENED TOTAL OF 8 TIMES IN A LITTLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS. FORTUNATELY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED THE CAR TO START, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN INCONVENIENT WITH A SMALL CHILD WITH ME SEVERAL OF THE TIMES. I DREAD THE OCCASION WHEN IT HAPPENS AND I NEED THE CAR TO START BECAUSE OF SOME EMERGENCY. FROM REVIEW OF WEB FORUMS, GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WOULD BE INDICATED FROM REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10182814February 16, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 CHEVROLET WITH IMPALA 48000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 60 MPH THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55000. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10181461February 2, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
STARTED EXPERIENCING ENGINE PULLING/HESITATION, THEN MY ENGINE WOULD IDLE AT 2,000 RPMS AND INCREASE TO 3,000. COME TO FIND THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT KNOWING WHY. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS AND PUT A LITTLE OVER 7,000 MILES ON IT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10179333January 22, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD INTAKE GASKET REPLACED IN FEB. OF 2006 FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE OIL, BECAUSE OF SAID GASKET FAILING (77,000 APPROX. MI.) NOTICED COOLANT LEVEL DROPPING AGAIN IN JAN. 2007 (85,000 MI.) FOUND WHITE/BROWN SLUDGE IN OIL AGAIN!APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND I AM TOLD IT WILL KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL GM CORP. COMES UP WITH A PERMANENT FIX. WHY ARE THEY NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS? I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS NO END IN SIGHT. I LIKE MY CAR BUT IF GM WON'T ADDRESS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAWS I'LL HAVE TO BUY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10178571January 12, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
DEAR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO MR. DOUGLASS J HERBERGER, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF SERVICE AND PARTS OPERATION. DEAR MR. HERBERGER, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE CODES FOR THE PASS LOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS AND THE DEALERS AROUND MEMPHIS, TN REFUSE TO GIVE IT TO ME. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO REPROGRAM IT FOR FREE. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A DEALER TO UNLOCK THAT SYSTEM. I'M PAYING FOR AND OWN MY CAR, NOT THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, I WENT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLET TO AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $47.00 FOR THEM TO ENTER AND REPROGRAM THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM, THAT THEY CANNOT DO IT BY HAND. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER $47.00 EVERYTIME I CHANGE OUT MY BATTERY - TO REPROGRAM MY THEFT LOCK SYSTEM? I THOUGHT THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR TO BECOME THE OWNER OF IT. I PAY TAXES ON IT, I PAY MY INSURANCE AND MAINTENANCE FEES. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY A DEALER TO CODES THAT I SHOULD HAVE FREE ACCESS TO. WHY WAS MY CAR DESIGNED TO LOCK ME (THE OWNER) OUT WITHOUT FREE GENERAL ACCESS TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE? I HAVE EXHAUSTED MY ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER OUT OF COURT, HOWEVER, UNLESS THIS MATTER GETS FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO ME, I WILL TAKE IT TO THE LAWFUL LIMIT. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU MR. HERBERGER, NOT THESE NO THINKING THAT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OWNER AND DEALER. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0