Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2003)

695 consumer complaints on file.

#10138631October 5, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 IMPALA I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FIXED TWICE STILL PLEASED OVERALL. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANTI-FREEZE IN MY CAR. I CALLED A SPOKE TO A SERVICE TECH HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY HAD A LEAK SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT IT IN HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A HAIR LINE CRACK IN MY GASKET AND I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY DID MY LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON. WHY DID I HAVE TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN? AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FIND I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING A COOLANT CONCERN. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO MORE CAREFULLY. IT IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM IN THE 2003 IMPALA AND THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138291October 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 3.4.L. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137361September 22, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER STRESS (I.E. ON STEEP INCLINES), THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF. IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER SWITCHES BETWEEN DIM AND BRIGHT. ON ONCE OCCASION, WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT UP A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A CARLOAD OF TEENAGERS, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR AT LEAST AN ENTIRE MINUTE IN AN AREA WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AT WRIKER IN WINCHESTER, TN WITHOUT SUCCESS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136092September 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY BATTERY HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE HAVING TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR TO GET ASSISTANCE. EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BATTERY WOULD FAIL SO SOON AND THEN THEY PUT IN A NEW ONE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135490September 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE STARTED MAKING UNUSUAL CLANKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE THE PART BUT NOT AVAILABLE OUT OF STOCK TRIED SEVERAL DEALERS SAME OUTCOME TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134740August 30, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REFER TO THE GM RECALL ON 800,000 VEHICLES DUE CORROSION AFFECTS ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I OWN A CHEVY IMPALA 2003 4DR SDN V6 FWD W/ANTILOCK BRAKES AND AWS. THE SYSTEM FAILED MUCH LIKE IN THE ABOVE STATED RECALL LAST WINTER IN MICHIGAN. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, UPON ATTEMPTING SLOW THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE SYSTEM IT FAILED DOING JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. THERE WERE GRINDING NOISES, VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE, LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE TOOK OVER. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 5 MPH. THE LOSS OF CONTROL DUE SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTED IN SAID VEHICLE ENDING UP IN A 70 FOOT DITCH WHEREUPON IT HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF. DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT LEFT FENDER, BUMPER AND DRIVING LIGHT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10130812August 26, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SHE GOT OUT AND SMELLED GASOLINE. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A DIFFERENT VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE. THEN THE SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND THEY COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE CHARCOAL FUEL PURGE CANISTER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER NOT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE HOT WATER HEATER. ALSO, STATED THAT IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN, SHE SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 18, 2005 ON A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAIRWAY CHEVROLET FOR SERVICE AT 3100 EAST SAHARA AVENUE, LAS VEGAS NV 89104.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133319August 18, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132669August 12, 2005
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT: THE DASH WAS CAVING IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS OFF LEVEL AND THERE WAS KNOCKING IN THE STEERING, THE UNDERNEATH FRAME WAS HANGING DOWN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE; THERE WAS A GAP IN THE CONNECTION OF THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED, AND THE WHEELS ALIGNED. THEN, THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT AT FIRST THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND THEY REPLACED GEAR SHAFT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132059August 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FADE WHEN STOPPING HARD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131918August 8, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RE: CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 PURCHASED 4/7/2003 VIN [XXX] IN GENERAL I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE ABOVE, BUT I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASE THE CAR AND IT ONLY HAS 11,225 MILES OF DRIVING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY APARTMENT IS ON THE BEACH SO I PARK CLOSE TO THE OCEAN ABOUT 8 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 6,289 MILES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A VIBRATION OR GRABBING FEELING UNLIKE NORMAL SMOOTH BRAKING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET IN QUINCY, MA ON AUG 16, 2004. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BRAKES WERE RUSTED OR PITTED AND NEEDED TO BE GROUND DOWN OR REPLACED (SEE COPY OF WORK ORDER FROM QUIRK ATTACHED). I ASKED HIM HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE MECHANISM IS EXPOSED TO THE AIR AND NOT PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, SO THAT THE SALT AIR FROM THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PITTING IN THE BRAKES. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 11,225 MILES WHEN THE SAME FEELING IN BRAKING WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIR AT QUIRK AND THEY REPORTED ''INSPECTED AND FOUND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES RUSTED BADLY, REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE COST ABOUT $725! PS: I TALKED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, VIKIE SMITH AT 1 800 222 1020 REGARDING THIS MATTER ON THIS DATE AND SHE STARTED A FILE OR REPORT IN THE COMPUTER AT THAT TIME. HER DIRECT LINE IS 866 932 4368 EXT 35336, FILE NUMBER [XXX]. ON THIS DATE WE HAD A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE QUIRK SERVICE DEPT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVE ON THE BEACH AND I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH TO KEEP THE RUST FROM BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKES. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129786July 23, 2005
SEATS
HIT FROM BEHIND THE SEAT LUMBAR ROLL MADE MY BACK INJURY WORST
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10129517July 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 25,500 MILES, THE BATTERY CORRODED THROUGH AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. ACID LEAKED FROM THE BATTERY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. IN TALKING TO THE MANAGER AT SEARS, WHERE I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, 8 OUT OF 10 AC DELCO BATTERIES THAT THEY REPLACE, FAIL THIS WAY. IN TALKING TO CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGERS, THEY SEE THIS QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT AC DELCO NOW HAS BATTERIES MADE OFF SHORE. HOW LONG BEFORE CRITICAL SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125680July 8, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE METAL TO METAL. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JIMS MUFFLERS TO GET THE BRAKES FIXED. THE MECHANIC TOOK OFF ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED THE CONSUMER THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AND PADS. THE MECHANIC THE CLEANED CALIPERS. THE CONSUMER SPENT ABOUT $500.00 FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE BRAKES HE STATED THAT THEY LOOKED AS IF THEY HAD SAT IN WATER. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN WATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MAYBE THE ROTORS OR CALIPERS WERE CONTAMINATED BECAUSE BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE LOOKED THAT BAD FOR THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE ROTORS WERE SO RUSTY.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127754July 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 IMPALA. BRAKES STARTED TO PULSATE SEVERELY AT SLIGHTLY OVER 36000 MILES. SINCE BRAKE PROBLEMS ARE USUALLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (AND IT HAD EXPIRED ANYHOW), I TOOK IT TO A LOCALLY RELIABLE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. HE SUSPECTED A WARPED FRONT ROTOR (AS I DID ALSO). REMOVED AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE PULSATION WAS STILL THERE. REMOVED BOTH REAR ROTORS. BOTH WERE BADLY SCORED ON THE INSIDE - NOT VISIBLE DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, BOTH ROTORS WERE PARTIALLY CRYSTALIZED, AGAIN ON THE INSIDE. THE PADS HERE WERE ALSO SCORED BADLY. AFTER READING REPORTS ON 2003 IMPALAS ON MYCARSTATS.COM, I DECIDED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST THERE, ALL SIMILAR IN NATURE. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126687June 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IN JANUARY 2004 WE PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET'S PROGRAM CAR FLEET, [XXX]. THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS UP TO 36,000 MILES. UNTIL THE PAST 2 WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 17, 2005 MY WIFE, HER MOTHER AND OUR TWO CHILDREN, (4 YRS. AND 10 MONTHS OLD), WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 85 SOUTH COMING TO MONTGOMERY FROM ATLANTA WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND LOSES ALL POWER. MY WIFE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, AT 70 MPH SHE HAD TO WRESTLE THE WHEEL AND STAND ON THE BRAKES TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT, THE VEHICLE CRANKS UP FINE AND SHE COMPLETES THE TRIP. FOLLOWING THE TOTAL POWER SHUTDOWN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY PUCKETT CHEVROLET FOR REPAIR. MR. DONALD BARBER WAS THE ASSOCIATE WHO WAS OUR SERVICE CONSULTANT. HE EXPLAINED TO MY WIFE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS SITUATION BEFORE. THAT, WAS OF GREAT CONCERN WITH ME. HAS THIS PROBLEM CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH TO ANOTHER CONSUMER? I AM WRITING A LETTER TO ROBERT LANGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SAFETY FOR GENERAL MOTORS, AND I WILL BE COPYING THE NHTSA WITH THE LETTER. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISSTANCE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124345June 6, 2005
STEERING
ON THE AFTERNOON OF MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2004, I WAS DRIVING A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA DOWN HADDONFIELD ROAD IN CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY WHEN, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, ITS SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO ZERO, ITS BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE, AND ITS STEERING WHEEL BECAME RIGID AND VIRTUALLY UN-TURNABLE. I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY, THE INCIDENT DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT SUCH AN INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR, WITH THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRING IN OR AROUND JULY 2004. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122634May 23, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER IS COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ABSENCE OF CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA.*MR CONSUMER'S CHILD FELL OUT OF THE BACK SEAT, HIT HER FACE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR FRAME, THEN FELL FACE FIRST ON TO THE ROCKS WHICH HAD TO BE HAND PICKED OUT OF HER FACE. WHILE HER FACE ON THE GROUND THE AUTOMATIC CLOSING DOORS WERE CLOSING ON HER LEGS, PREVENTING HER FROM REMOVING HERSELF FROM THIS HORRIBLE POSITION. NOTIFIED GM ABOUT THE CAR NOT HAVE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS. *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10121544May 18, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE CONSUMER HAS TWO VEHICLES A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA BOTH ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE IMPALA HAD BADLY WARPED ROTORS ON THE RIGHT REAR. ONLY ONE ROTOR WAS BADLY WARPED. BOTH REAR ROTORS WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY RUINED THE BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18K MILES ON IT. THE SUBURBAN HAD 33K MILES WHEN THE BRAKES PRODUCED A SERIOUS GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. THE ROTORS WERE SO BADLY CORRODED THAT THEY DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING. THE WEAR SENSORS WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE DESTROYED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL AGAINST THE METAL ON ONE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS AND GMC PICK-UPS. 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA VIN: [XXX] AND 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN VIN: [XXX]. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117330May 13, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON BY JIGGLING THE DIMMER LEVER ARM. SEVERAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTICED BETWEEN THE FIRST MALFUNCTION AND THE VISIT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AK *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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