Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2008)

810 consumer complaints on file.

#10267987May 7, 2009
STRUCTURE
EXCESS WHISTLING NOISE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DEALER NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH OTHER IMPALAS. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP 7 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY ADJUST THE WINDOW BUT DO NOT REPLACE ANY WEATHER STRIPPING OR WINDOW MECHANISMS BECAUSE GM WILL ONLY COVER THE REPLACEMENT PARTS IF THEY ARE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262011March 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WHEN IT IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD BEFORE MOVING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 850. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/09/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258736February 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW APPROX 20 DEGREES F AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEMS DON'T FUNCTION UNLESS I HOLD THE TRANSMITTER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. IN WARMER WEATHER, THE SYSTEM WORKS FROM DISTANCES GREATER THAN 50 FEET. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM ALREADY AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THUS FAR, THE 2 TRANSMITTERS AND THE RECEIVER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253766January 4, 2009
SEAT BELTS
ON TWO OCCASIONS THIS DECEMBER I RENTED VEHICLES FROM BOTH ALAMO AND ENTERPRISE IN BOSTON, MA AND MINNEAPOLIS, MN RESPECTIVELY AT AIRPORT LOCATIONS. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I RENTED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. IN BOSTON THE WIPER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE, AND IN MINNEAPOLIS THE ABS SYSTEM WAS EITHER NOT INCLUDED OR NON-OPERATING. IN SUNNY WEATHER, NO ONE WOULD HAVE NOTICED EITHER PROBLEM. BUT WHAT I DID NOTICE IS. ON BOTH CARS THE SAFETY BELTS FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGERS DID NOT TENSION PROPERLY DURING LOW SPEED BRAKING, AND MEDIUM SPEED EMERGENCY BRAKING, WHEREBY OCCUPANTS WHERE THROWN FORWARD INTO WHATEVER WAS IN FRONT OF THEM. IN MY CASE IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN A FEW TIMES, AND WITH OTHERS SEATS, AND/OR DASHBOARD. I THINK THIS IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. BOTH WERE LS MODELS, THOUGH THEY VARIED INSIDE AS TO THE CONTROLS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253442January 1, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
GM ADVERTISES THAT THE 3.9 LITER ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO GET 28MPG AND WE CAN'T GET MORE THAN 25MPG IN EITHER OF OUR IMPALAS EQUIPPED WITH THIS ENGINE AND BOTH CARS HAVE OVER 10,000 MILES ON THEM WHICH ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MEANS THEY SHOULD BE BROKEN IN. I'VE TALKED TO GM TWICE ABOUT IT AND THEY BLAME THE EPA FOR THE ADVERTISED NUMBERS ON THE WINDOW STICKER SO IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THAT ENGINE HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL. WHO DOES THE TESTING ON THE CARS TO GET THE FUEL MILEAGE NUMBERS THAT ARE ON THE WINDOW STICKERS? I THOUGHT THE NEW NUMBERS FOR 2008 WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MORE ACCURATE THEN IN THE PAST. WE'VE HAD FOUR OTHER NEW IMPALAS (01,02,04,04) AND THEY ALL GOT THE FUEL MILEAGE ADVERTISED SO WHY DO THE 08'S WITH THE 3.9 DO SO POORLY? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252716December 24, 2008
WHEELS
AT 12K MILES INSIDE OF REAR TIRES WERE WORN SMOOTH. CHEVROLET ONLY ACKNOWLEDGES THIS ON THE 2007-2008 IMPALA POLICE CARS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 IMPALA LTZ AND IT HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251682December 13, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RENTED A CAR AND IT WAS A CHEVY IMPALA WHERE I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS, SEPTEMBER IN PHOENIX. I DID A AAA DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE TODAY IN NY AND LEARNED THAT THE PUSH IS TO CONVINCE EVERYONE THEY ARE SAFER IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IF ONLY THEY'D TURN THEIR HEADLIGHTS ON -- AND THAT THIS IS BEING PROMOTED FOR LEGISLATION. IT IS INFURIATING NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS IN PLACES WHERE IT IS RUDE TO KEEP THEM ON -- WAITING IN A PARKING LOT, WATCHING THE VIEW WITH THE HEATER ON, MY DRIVEWAY WHILE YOU'RE PARKED AND TALKING. I AM ANGRILY OPPOSED TO THE NOTION THAT I SHOULD EVER BY LAW BE REQUIRED TO KEEP HEADLIGHTS ON ALL DAY -- AND I AM DISTURBED BY THE NOTION THAT ONE DAY I MAY NEED TO BUY A CAR WHERE THERE IS NO LONGER THE OPTION TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. THE CONSTANT HEADLIGHTS IDEA WAS A CUTE SAFETY PROMOTION THING, BUT IT IS PREPOSTEROUS AND IGNORANT AS EITHER A LAW OR A MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENT. I PERSONALLY AM AGGRAVATED BY THE EXCESSIVE LIGHTS AND LIGHTING ON ROADS AND ROADSIGNS AND OVER-POWERED HEADLIGHTS ON CARS AND ROOF-LEVEL HEADLIGHTS ON SUVS -- I AM RELIEVED THAT THIS AGGRAVATION AND DANGEROUS DISTRACTION GOES AWAY WITH ITS NECESSITY AT DAWN. I DON'T EVER WANT TO GET STUCK WITH ANOTHER CAR WHERE I CANNOT TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS: IT'S RUDE, IT'S PERCEIVED AS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY, IT'S PERCEIVED AS AN ACT OF AGGRESSION, IT BLINDS PEOPLE WITH GLARE AND A SPOTLIGHT EFFECT AND IT IS UNNECESSARY UNLESS VISIBILITY IS COMPROMISED AND YOU ARE ACTUALLY DRIVING. I'M COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AAA DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE PUSH FOR CONSTANT HEADLIGHTS WHICH I SEE AS AGGRAVATING LIGHT POLLUTION AND WASTE OF ENERGY AND RESOURCES; AND I'M COMPLAINING THAT CHEVROLET CAN PUT A CAR INTO PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE OPTION TO TURN OFF IT'S HEADLIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, I SHOULD COMPLAIN THAT THE SUPER-BRIGHT LUXURY CAR AND GIANT SUV HEADLIGHTS BOTH CREATE HAZARDS FOR ME WHILE DRIVING. I DON'T WEAR GLASSES AND DON'T HAVE VISION PROBLEMS - COMMON SENSE, AGE 40. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248415November 11, 2008
SUSPENSION
I GOT THIS 2008 IMPALA IN NOV.2007. IT HAS A VIBRATION THAT STARTS ABOUT 37MPH THROUGH 47MPH. AND AT 75MPH IT IS WORST. THE DEALER REBALANCED THE TIRES, I WENT BACK AND THE TIRES WERE REBALANCED AGAIN. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL HAVE THIS VIBRATION. I CALLED CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION,TALKED TO 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE,THE LAST PERSON SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE TIRES,AND IT WAS NORMAL OF THAT CAR. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY CAR. THIS CAR 2,300 MILES ON IT. I WANT THIS FIXED,AND I'M STUCK WITH IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248299November 10, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
GM ISSUED A LETTER TO 2007 AND 2008 IMPALA POLICE VEHICLE OWNERS CONCERNING A CONDITION THAT LEADS TO REAR WHEEL MISALIGNMENT, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE TIRES. MY 2008 IMPALA SS IS EXHIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT GM WILL ONLY FIX POLICE VEHICLES. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE PROBLEM EFFECTS MORE THAT JUST THE POLICE VEHICLES BECAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSIONS AND SETUPS ARE IDENTICAL. GM SHOULD FIX ANY IMPALA EXPERIENCE THE ALIGNMENT ISSUES BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER RIGHT TO BEGIN WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246937October 28, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,437.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246097October 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR COMPANY OWNS A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA THAT WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES, AFTER THE DRIVER PUTS THE CAR INTO 'DRIVE' OR 'REVERSE' FROM PARK THE ENGINE RPMS SURGE, THE RADIO GETS LOUDER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. IT HAS SURGED AND THEN DIED WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50+ MILES PER HOUR. IT HAS DIED WHILE IN DRIVE BUT STOPPED A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. THE DRIVER HAS TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK AND THE CAR STARTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246139October 20, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND HESITATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES ALSO MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ROTORS. THE TECHNICIAN RESURFACED AND DEGLAZED THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES FOR THE FAILURES. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU MANDATED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE DEFECT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND IS AWAITING TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,732 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,006.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245085October 10, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT TAKE E85 FUEL. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I'VE FILLED UP WITH E85 AND DRIVEN OUT THE ENTIRE TANK OF E85 FUEL, THEN SWITCHED BACK TO 87 OCTANE. WITH DRIVING 10 - 20 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I'M DIRECTED BY MY ONSTAR SERVICE TO REPORT THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THAT MY FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE CHANGE IN ALCOHOL LEVELS BETWEEN THE E85 AND 87 OCTANE; THE REASON FOR THE ALERT. THE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT ABLE TO TELL THAT I'VE SWITCHED FROM E85 TO 87 AND REPORTS A FAILURE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS CAUSE MY REMOTE START TO NOT WORK. I HAVE TO REPORT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO MANUALLY RESET THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT MONITORS THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244613October 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS HAPPENS 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I AM LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH A SUDDENLY INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD A STALL OUT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I HAVE HAD A STALL OUT WHILE MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY!! MOST RECENTLY I HAD A STALL OUT THAT REQUIRED IMMEDIATE RECOVERY AND EVASIVE ACTION WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN WHICH RESULTED IN A FLAT TIRE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID A POSSIBLE COLLISION. I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE SO FAR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT) AND THERE WAS NO CODE SHOWING. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME AND WERE RUDE AND DISCOURTEOUS AND IMPLIED THAT THERE REALLY WASN'T A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET A FREE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP IS SUNDANCE CHEVROLET IN GRAND LEDGE MI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243235September 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES GET DIRT ON THEM AND START GRINDING AT THE ROTORS ESPECIALLY THE BACK BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242907September 19, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AT 60 MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE TO APPROXIMATELY 85-90 MPH. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUES UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,471. UPDATED 10/21/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242184September 15, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW IMPALA, YEAR 2008. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES I EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE REAR WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO RADLEY CHEVROLET IN FREDERICKSBURG, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND IT WAS MY FAULT AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE WAS NOT CORRECT AND UNEVEN. I NEVER TOUCHED THE LUG NUTS OR ROTATED THE TIRES AS THE TORQUE ISSUE WAS REAR ONLY AND TREAD WEAR PROVED THERE HAD BEEN NO ROTATION. I WENT TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO STATED THE RADLEY SERVICE MANAGER WAS SUCH A GREAT GUY AND HE BELIEVED THE SERVICE MANAGER. WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT THE TREAD WEAR PROVED THE TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED HE THEN TOLD ME THAT NOT ROTATING THE TIRES WAS A MAINTENANCE VIOLATION ALSO. I ASKED HIM THAT NOW YOU ARE CLAIMING THE UNEVEN TORQUE WAS DUE TO ME NOT ROTATING THE TIRES. I AM FRUSTRATED AS I AM RIGHT AND NEVER TOUCHED THOSE TIRES OR NUTS. I AM NOT EVEN SURE WHERE THE WRENCH IS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242316September 15, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, POWER TRAIN
GM ADVERTISES THAT MILEAGE FOR AVERAGE HIGHWAY DRIVING IS 28 MPG. THE CAR DOES NOT MEET OR EVEN COME CLOSE TO THIS STANDARD. I HAVE TESTED MILEAGE WITH 100% HIGHWAY DRIVING AND THE MAX MPG IS 23. WITH SOME MINIMAL OFF HIGHWAY DRIVING (TO AND FROM HIGHWAY) THE MPG AVERAGES 21 TO 22. OFF HIGHWAY MPG AVERAGES 19. MY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT GM HAS CHANGED THE FINAL DRIVE RATIO. AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE RPM IS 2,300. THAT IS 300 RPM MORE THAT PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241909September 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE AND WHEN SHE GIVES IT GAS IT CUTS OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNE OFF THE CONTACT TRIES TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND IT DOES NOT COME BACK ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ANDCURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29511.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241575September 9, 2008
STRUCTURE
AIR WHISTLING IN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW OR DOOR. DEALER AND GM STATE THIS IS NORMAL THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Impala