Chevrolet Impala Complaints

10,446 consumer complaints on file.

#10383028February 17, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE AND BRAKE ROTOR WARPING EVERY COUPLE MONTHS. SEVERE SHAKING WHILE STOPPING. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TO DOWNSHIFT INSTEAD OF BREAKING ON HILLS. DID THAT BUT THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES. DEALER SAYS THE BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND NOT TO DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS BECAUSE THE BRAKES OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE IS MAINLY DRIVEN ON FLAT ROADS TO MY WIFE'S WORK AND THEY STILL ONLY LAST A COUPLE MONTHS. SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER 1/4 MILE OF DOWN HILL TRAVEL FOUND FORUMS ONLINE OF MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/1195/IMPALA-BRAKE-ISSUES BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSES THE OVER HEATING AND BRAKE FAILURE, SHAKING AND FADING. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND UPGRADE BRAKE SYSTEM [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383181February 17, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING IN MY 2005 CHEVY IMPALA ON OR ABOUT OCT. 10, 2010. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN SINCE WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED & WE DON'T KNOW HOW FAST WE ARE GOING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382778February 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE FAILURE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND RESEARCHED THE FAILURE. A DISTRICT MANAGER RETURNED THE CONTACTS CALL AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED; YET, THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,048.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382854February 15, 2011
VISIBILITY
AFTER CLEARING SNOW OFF THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE WIPERS, THEY NO LONGER GO TO THE PARK POSITION. THE WIPERS STOP IN AN UPWARD POSITION BLOCKING YOUR VIEW OF THE ROAD. FOUND BENT STOP TAB ON WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY DUE TO MANY WRITE UPS ON THE WEB. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE GM HAS A FIX FOR IT. I WAS QUOTED $500+ FOR A REPLACEMENT MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE MOTOR STILL WORKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382541February 14, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS 4D. I WOULD BE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND FOR NO REASON BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT ABILITY TO SEE. WHEN I THEN I THEN HIT THE HIGH/LOW DIMMER SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES WITH MY HAND THE LIGHTS WOULD RETURN. THIS WOULD OCCUR ONCE EVERY MONTH OR SO, AND OCCURRED AT THIS APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY OF TIME FOR AS OFTEN AS I OWNED MY CAR, SINCE 2007. IT IS QUITE FRIGHTENING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WHEN YOUR LIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. FINALLY, LAST YEAR THE HIGH BEAM WOULD NOT CLICK ON WITH THE SWITCH APPARENTLY BEING BROKEN. MY FATHER OWNED THE SAME YEAR IMPALA, AND HE REPORTED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, THE LIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY GO OUT AND HE WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE SWITCH TO HAVE THE LIGHTS RETURN ON. HE HAD HIS FIXED AND IT COST HIM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 600 DOLLARS. MY BRIGHTS ARE CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING DUE TO THIS BROKEN SWITCH WITH THE COST TO FIX BEING AROUND 600 DOLLARS. I FIND IT QUITE UNUSUAL WITH THE SAME YEAR IMPALA TO HAVE THIS OCCUR, AND FIND IT EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383535February 14, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN SWITCH IS PULLED TO PUT ON BRIGHT LIGHTS ALL LIGHTS GO OFF, LEAVING ME DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTS. WIGGLING, JIGGLING, OR MOVING THE SWITCH EVENTUALLY PUTS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS BACK ON. HAD THIS FIXED AT A COST TO ME OF MORE THAN $600. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE EVERY SERVICE RECORD ON IT, CAN PROVE IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT ABUSED. EVEN HAVE SAVED FAILED PART FROM THIS SERVICE. HAVE SEEN A VAST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM LISTED ON WEB. I WAS LUCKY, THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. AT THE VERY LEAST PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS MAKE/MODEL NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO MY GRANDMOTHER OR OTHER LOVED ONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383631February 14, 2011
SUSPENSION
CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVABLE IN COLD WEATHER CLIMATES SNOW AND ICE,ALIGNMENT IS SO FAR OFF DUE TO SUSPENSION COMPONENT PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY GM IN A TSB,REAR OF CAR WANTS TO COME AROUND,ALL OVER THE ROAD,SCARY TO DRIVE,TIRES ARE WORN OUT ON INSIDE EDGES AFTER 19K OF DRIVING,WE PURCHASED WITH 8890K,GM SAYS NOTHING WRONG TSB ONLY PERTAINS TO POLICE VERSIONS,A CROCK OF S--T,SOMEBODY WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE IN THESE DEATH TRAPS,LOOKING AT OVER $1100.00 TO REPAIR REPLACE TIRES AND COMPONENTS WITH ALIGNMENT ON A CAR WITH 19K,SHOULD HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS,UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381686February 12, 2011
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
"SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE EVEN IN PERFECT DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THIS WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, THE BRAKES RESPOND BY BECOMING "SPONGY" OR "LESS REACTIVE" LIMITING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO BRAKE SAFELY. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY TWO DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR TECHNICIANS AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RULE OUT TIRE/HUB/BRAKE ISSUES BUT WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT A CAUSE FOR THE WARNING LIGHT TO APPEAR AND CAUSE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. THEY SAID THEY RESET THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, THEN THE ISSUE RECURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381614February 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SHE HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381637February 11, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING COOLING LINE HAS RUPTURED 4 TIMES. REPAIRED BY RECALL AND FAILED AGAIN 1 YEAR LATER. GM REFUSES TO REPAIR OR ADMIT PROBLEM WITH SYSTEM. 4" RUBBER HOSE CONTINUES TO RUPTURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381227February 9, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH BRAKES APPLIED AND IGNITION ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381082February 8, 2011
SUSPENSION
2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA IS VERY UNSTABLE ON SNOW OR ICE COVERED ROADS. THE REAR END TENDS TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN IT ENCOUNTERS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF ICE OR SNOW. I HAVE OVER THIRTY YEARS DRIVING IN MICHIGAN WINTERS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR SO UNSTABLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE AND A 97 BONNEVILLE THAT I DROVE IN THE SAME CONDITIONS (SAME ROAD AND TIME FOR COMPARISON) AND THEY BOTH FELT SOLID EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN INTERNET FORUMS. I HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED BY A TIRE DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THAT THEY HAD ADEQUATE TREAD. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382017February 8, 2011
WHEELS, SUSPENSION
DRIVING THE IMPALA SS ON WINTER ROADS IN INDIANA HAS BECOME A CHALLENGE WITH THIS CAR. ANY ICE OR SNOW ON THE ROAD WILL ONLY ALLOW YOU TO DRIVE 45 MPH AT THE MAX AND THEN THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTS TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE TIRES ARE FIGHTING ONE AND ANOTHER FOR CONTROL. CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM WITH THE GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A P235/50 R 18 AND THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON NO TRACTION WITH THESE TIRES. SERVICE REP STATED THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OFF AND NEW TIRES PUT ON. NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. CALLED GOOD YEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND THEY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME. TOOK IT TO THE AUTHORIZED GOOD YEAR DEALER AND THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THE TIRES HAVE HALF THEIR TREAD LEFT AND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. HE STATED THAT THE TIRE IS TO WIDE FOR DRIVING IN THE WINTER TIME AND BASICALLY FLOATS ON THE ICE AND SNOW AND WOULD SUGGEST ONLY DIVING THE CAR IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. SO HERE IS THE DILEMMA, THE MANUFACTURE KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE TIRES (WHICH ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT ARE SOLD WITH THE CAR. THE TIRE MANUFACTURE STATES THE TIRE IS TO WIDE FOR DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE AND I NEED TO PARK IT INTO SUMMER GETS HERE AND IF SO IF I DRIVE THE CAR IN THE WINTER, I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380683February 8, 2011
STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
2003 CHEVY IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS FOR VEHICLE AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380944February 7, 2011
SUSPENSION
DURING THE RECENT SNOW STORM, I DISCOVERED THAT MY VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SKIDDED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH WHEN GOING OVER ICE OR SNOW AT A SPEED AS LOW AS 15 MPH. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN MORE THAN ONE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO AND NOW FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS SO UNSAFE, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. HOW CAN I GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED? I HATE TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF SELLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380994February 7, 2011
SUSPENSION
I HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPAIRED WHEN THE TECHNICIAN REALIZED MY BRAND NEW TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORDS ON THE INSIDE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS . WHEN THEY CALLED TO GET THE WARRANTY TO COVER THE PROBLEM THE WARRANTY INSPECTOR SAID IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM THAT REQUIRED HOLES TO BE DRILLED AND A BOLT BE PUT IN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A KIT BUT THE WARRANTY CONSIDERS THIS AN UPDATE NOT A PROBLEM. I HAVE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND REPLACE NEW TIRES. I WANT TO KNOW WHY GM ISN'T RECALLING THE CAR TO PUT THESE BOLTS IN. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381879February 6, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WITH JUST MINIMIALWEATHER CONDITIONS RAIN AND OR SNOW WAS TOTALLY UNSTABE AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 20 MPH I HAVE DRIVEN IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS THIS IS THE MOST DANGERIOUS AND UNSTABE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DROVE , IT ACTED AS IF THERE WAS A BROKEN SUSPENSION PART IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE , WAS CHECKED BY A LOCAL SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380912February 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR LEAVES ME STRANDED FOR HOURS BEFORE IT STARTS. PASSLOCK/PASSKEY II IS THE WORST THING CHEVY EVER CREATED. WHILE DRIVING THE GAUGES GO OFF AND ON; AND THE CAR SHUTS THE FUEL OFF. BEING SAID MY SISTER USED MY CAR ONE DAY AND THE FUEL SHUT OFF, THE CAR DIED, AND SHE WAS REAR ENDED. THANKFULLY IT WAS A BUMP AND SHE WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED. I'M ALWAYS LATE FOR WORK AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BCM, IGNITION SWITCH, AND TUMBLER. NOTHING IS RESOLVED. I'VE BEEN HOME STRANDED FOR A WEEK, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO MISS SCHOOL. DUE TO THE LACK OF MONEY I AM FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM COLLEGE AND THIS IS MY SENIOR YEAR WHICH THROWS MY OUT OF MY INTERNSHIP. CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS "PASSLOCK" FEATURE AND REIMBURSE ALL OF THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE SWINDLED. THIS IS THERE FAULT AND WE, THE CONSUMERS, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS FEATURE ALLOWS OWNERS TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THEIR VEHICLES, AND A PROFESSIONAL THIEF CAN STEAL THE CAR. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND STILL NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, AND FRANKLY, I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING EVER WILL BE. I FOR ONE WILL NEVER PURCHASE A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381828February 5, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA, TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN UNIT UNIT 1 ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0911-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380812February 5, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA WITH A 3.8L V6. TODAY AROUND 3:30 CENTRAL TIME I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY VEHICLE AND I SAW THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I GOT ANOTHER VEHICLE OF MINE AND PUT ON MY JUMPER CABLES AND ALLOWED THE BATTERY TO CHARGE, AFTER WAITING FOR IT TO CHARGE, I TURNED THE KEY. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, AND THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO LARGE I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT, THEY WROTE A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. I HAD PLASTIC PIECES ALL OVER. I WOULD TO KNOW WHY I HAVEN'T RECIEVED A RECALL ON THIS IF THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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