Chevrolet Impala Complaints (1996)

88 consumer complaints on file.

#720375March 20, 2000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE CLOGS HEATER CORE, RESULTING IN HEATER NOT WORKING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE PUCHASE OF CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720174March 16, 2000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
CLOGGED HEATER CORE DUE TO DEX-COOL COOLANT IN CAR. TOOK TWO TRIPS TO DEALER TO GET FIXED, AND THEN ONLY AFTER GIVING THEM THE TSB. DEX-COOL COOLANT IS KNOWN FOR CAUSING HEATER CORE BLOCKAGE, BUT GM REFUSES TO ADMIT IT, OR OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE. AS THE WARRANTY ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES IS WEARING OUT, COST OF THIS CONSTANT FLUSHING OF THE CORE IS PUT ON THE OWNER. GM ADVERTISES THE DEXCOOL COOLANT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, OR SERVICED FOR 100,000 MILES. THIS PROMISE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BEING LIVED UP TO, AND THE OWNERS OF THE CARS ARE THE ONES PAYING THE PRICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720176March 16, 2000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#858557March 15, 2000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER DOES NOT COME ON DUE TO HEATER CORE BEING CLOGGED. DEALER HAS FLUSHED THE SYSTEM, AND HEATER STILL DID NOT FUNCTION. WATER PUMP REPLACED. APPEARS THAT A CHEMICAL REACTION WITH DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE, OEM STOPLEAK FACTORY TABLETS, AND ALUMINUM AND STEEL COMPONENTS INCLUDING FLOW RESTRICTOR CAUSE CONGEALING OF COOLANT WHICH CAUSES ACCELERATED LOSS OF HEAT UNTIL COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF THE HEATER CORE OCCURS. DEX-COOL WAS NOT USED IN PREVIOUS GM MODELS, AND NO HEAT PROBLEMS EXISTED. CONSUMER BELIEVES A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#855976February 1, 2000
POWER TRAIN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SUDDENTLY STOPPED WORKING. DASH BOARD LIGHT DOESN'T ALLOW CONSUMER TO SEE THE SPEED. HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST HE IS GOING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS HEADLIGHTS GO DIM. WHEN HE RELEASES GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL FORCE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#550406January 13, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DOES NOT RESTART CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN TO THE DRIVER. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#852718November 9, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS. CONTACTED DEALER, HE HAS CHECKED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#714285November 3, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED & IMMEDIATELY THE LOCKS BEGAN ENGAGING & DISENGAGING IN RAPID SEQUENCE, THEN THERE WAS A SNAP AND I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING WIRES. I NOTICED SMOKE RISING TO MY LEFT COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE HOOD VENTS. I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. MY HUSBAND CAME OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE FIRE WALL. HE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH BOARD AND SAW FLAMES. I AT THAT POINT CONTACTED 911 AND HE WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT, THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I AM GLAD I WAS OF A CLEAR FRAME OF MIND OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR. WE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT UNLOCKING THEM MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE WHICH WAS VERY TOXIC. THIS COULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY ARE NOW INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#712293September 27, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
POSITIVE POST OF BATTERY FORCED OUT FROM INSIDE BATTERY. EXTENSIVE PAINT AND RUST DAMAGE OCCURED. I AM AWARE OF MANY OTHER SUCH CASES WITH DELCO BATTERIES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#848342September 22, 1999
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
THE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED IN HALF, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO COLLAPSE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED ONCE PRIOR TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT MENTIONED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#711480September 17, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM INDICATING THAT ABS IS DISABLED, RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS THIS CONDITION FOR A WHILE, DEALERS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. EGR AND EGR SOLENOID FAILED, 3 VISITS TO DEALER DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, BUT RATHER ON TWO OCCASSIONS THEY DELIBERATLY DISABLED THE EGR SYSTEM TO HIDE THE PROBLEM FROM ME. I FINALLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY REPLAING THE EGR SOLENOID AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#846796September 3, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT CAME FROM THE AIR CLEARNER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM BEHIND DROPPED INTO THE THROTTLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE THE BE WIDE OPEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#709538August 3, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I FOUND TWO VEHICLES THAT HAD THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS WITH MELTED WIRES. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO THE NTSA BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#843245July 23, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING FULL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON EMPTY DUE TO A SHORT THAT HAD WELDED WIRES TOGETHER INSIDE OF THE TANK. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#708347July 8, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR BRAKE CALIPER(S) FREEZESS ON MOUNTING FRAME, CAUSING VERY LOW BRAKE PEDAL. IN SOME CASES, THE CALIPER FALLS OFF MOUNTING FRAME, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#839909June 16, 1999
TIRES
TIRES ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE FENDER ,EVEN WITH NORMAL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN THE VEHICLE, ALMOST CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704385March 13, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE LEAKING AT 37,000 MILES COSTLY REPAIR GOT SOME ASSISTANCE AFTER I CALLED 800 NUMBER THEN WATER PUMP LEAKING AT 52,000 MILES COSTLY REPAIR AGAIN NO ASSISTANCE THEN ODOMETER LIGHT FAILED AND HAD TO REPLACE COMPLETE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AGAIN VERY COSTLY I HAVE THE POPPING SOUND IN FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM MANUFACTURER AS TO A RECALL IS THERE ONE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#832784February 16, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TWICE DUE TO A LEAKAGE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST HIT A TREE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702713January 29, 1999
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
STARTING IN THE 1990 MODEL YEAR, GM HAS BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLING DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE LUBRICATING HOLES!! IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE THIS GASKET TO ONE THAT HAS THE PROPER HOLES, YOUR OUTER AXLE BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE AXLES THEMSELVES, WILL BE DESTROYED BY AROUND 70K MILES. THE DAMAGED (UNDER LUBRICATED) BEARINGS WILL WEAR GROOVES IN THE AXLE SHAFTS, REQUIRING THAT THEY ALSO BE REPLACED. IF THIS IS LEFT UNCHECKED, THE METAL BITS FROM THE DAMAGED OUTER BEARINGS AND AXLES WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE INNER BEARINGS, PINION BEARINGS, AS WELL AS CAUSE THE SPIDER GEARS TO WEAR INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. GM HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CURRENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. EVEN THE NEW VEHICLES STILL COME WITH THE IMPROPER GASKETS. FACTORY REPLACEMENT GASKETS ALSO LACK THE LUBRICATING HOLES. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REAR AXLE GASKET HAS A PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM FULL-SIZE LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS ALSO SUFFER FROM THIS PROGLEM. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT SHOULD YOU BE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE REAR END/AXLE GOES, SOMEONE/THING IS GOING TO GET HURT, NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH EXPENSE OF THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701958January 6, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
STARTING IN THE 1990 MODEL YEAR, GM HAS BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLING DIFFRENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE LUBRICATING HOLES!!! IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE THIS GASKET TO ONE THAT HAS THE PROPER HOLES, YOUR OUTER AXLE BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE AXLES THEMSELVES, WILL BE DESTROYED TY AROUND 70K MILES. THE DAMAGED (UNDER LUBRICATED) BEARINGS WILL WEAR GROOVES IN THE AXLE SHAFTS, REQUIRING THAT THEY ALSO BE REPLACED. IF THIS IS LEFT UNCHECKED, THE METAL BITS FROM THE DAMAGED OUTER BEARINGS AND AXLES WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE INNER BEARINGS, PINION BEARINGS, AS WELL AS CAUSE THE SPIDER GEARS TO WEAR INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. GM HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CURRENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND EVEN THE NEW VEHICLES STILL COME WITH THE IMPROPER GASKETS. FACTORY REPLACEMENT GASKETS ALSO LACK THE LUBRICATING HOLES. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REAR AXLE GASKET HAS A PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM FULL-SIZE LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS ALSO SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT SHOULD YOU BE TRAVELING AT A HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE REAR END/AXLE GOES, SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO GET HURT NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH EXPENSE OF CORRECTING THE PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE REAR END REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Impala