Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2004)

1,074 consumer complaints on file.

#10483620November 7, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY SPEEDOMETER STICKING THE PAST FEW MONTHS. MY HUSBAND TOOK MY CAR IN TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD WE NEED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHICH WOULD COST AROUND $600. NOT HAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT WE WILL HAVE TO SHELL OUT THIS KIND OF MONEY FOR A FAULTY FACTORY PART, I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER COMPLAINT LINE. I WAS TOLD BY THE COMPLAINT LINE THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US AT THIS TIME. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THE SAME ISSUES FROM THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T752665-DISCUSS2004_IMPALA_SPEEDOMETER_PROBLEMS.HTML IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE A LONG TIME AGO. APPARENTLY IT IS GOING TO TAKE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH IN ORDER FOR CHEVROLET TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THE GOVERNMENT JUST BAILED OUT GMC NOT TO LONG AGO; HOWEVER, GMC CAN'T STEP UP AND FIX THIS. WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS DOES THIS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I INFORMED CHEVROLET THAT I WILL NO LONGER BUY THEIR VEHICLES. NO WONDER EVERYONE IS BUYING FOREIGN THESE DAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482690October 31, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN APPLYING THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS, ALL EXTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS GO OUT. VERY SCARY! WHEN OPERATING SWITCH AGAIN LIGHTS RETURN, BUT HAVE DIM HEADLAMPS ONLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. NOW ONLY DRIVE WITH DIMS ON UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR. NOT SAFE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482682October 30, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY ACCURATE MILES PER HOUR. WHILE DRIVING, THE ODOMETER WENT TO ABOUT 60 MPH, WHEN I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND I TRIED TO DECREASE THE SPEED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT REMAINED AT 60 MPH. I CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOPPED, THEN I NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS AT 10 MPH WHILE SETTING STILL. I ASKED ANOTHER PERSON TO DRIVE THE CAR TO SEE IF THE SAME TYPE OF THING WAS HAPPENING WITH THE SPEED ODOMETER, AND IT WAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC SAID HE RESET THE ODOMETER AND SAID IF THAT DID NOT WORK, A PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WORKED ABOUT TWO WEEKS, AND THE SAME THING STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481378October 22, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE IGNITION WOULD RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480600October 15, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES BOTH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUSTER INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,186.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474515September 10, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472901August 29, 2012
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR IS SHIFTING HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN I SLOW DOWN AROUND A CURVE AND THEN THE CAR HAS TO SHIFT DOWN AND BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING, IT PROBABLY ISN'T THE TRANSMISSION BUT WITH THE VACUUM MODULAR OR TORQUE CONVERTER. I ALSO HAD A 2005 AND RECENTLY TRADED IT IN FOR A DIFFERENT VEHICLE, BUT IT HAD THE SAME THING WITH SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468820August 1, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IN MAY 2012 MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR STARTED TO NOT COME ON WHEN NEEDED. THEN THEY WOULD COME ON 10-30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED "FLASHING" WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH. I HAVE HAD THE DIMMER SWITCH REPLACED, AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL NOW. THE BRIGHT BARELY COME ON AND I HAVE TO HOLD THE STICK DOWN THE WHOLE TIME I WANT TO USE THEM. SOMETIMES IF I NEED TO DRIVE A NIGHT I USE THE FOG LIGHTS WHICH HAVE RECENTLY DECIDED NOT TO WORK AT ALL. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWED. I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR ON OTHER ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467558July 24, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO BEGIN OUR VACATION, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN SHOWING INCREASED SPEED WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET. WE WERE GOING 65, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY REGISTERED 120 MPH. AFTER CRUISE WAS TURNED OFF, IT CONTINUED TO READ 120 MPH, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL SPEED. WE HAD TO USE OUR GPS TO MONITOR SPEED FOR THE ENTIRE 1300 MILE ROUND TRIP! GM HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED FOR THE IMPALA? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467150July 23, 2012
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLED OUT / STOPPED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS DONE IT TWICE NOW. THIS CAR IS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL. AFTER THE FIRST TIME (THREE DAYS AGO) WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODE (S) AND OR REPLICATE IT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. BOTH TIMES THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. THIS COULD BE A DISASTER AT HIGH SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE. THANK YOU. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE DEALER RAN IT FOR CODES AND IMMEDIATELY, IT CAME BACK AS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AND SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO MORE PROBLEMS. UPDATED IVOQ 08/01/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466363July 18, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE DASH CONTROLS {SPEEDOMETER AND TEMP GAUGE] STOP WORKING .. I COULD BE DRIVING AT 40 BUT THE SPEED ODOMETER READS 120 AND WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IT COULD READ 80 {SITTING STILL} ALSO HAVE HEARD OF MANY OF THE IMPALA AND CHEVROLET CARS AND TRUCK HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I ONLY DROVE MY CAR 62000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2004. MY FRIENDS WENT OUT AT 43000 AND I WAS LUCKY AND GOT 53000 MILES. THEY WANT TO CHARGE 900.00 TO FIX THEIR MESS. I HAD A FORD THAT WAS A 1969 AND THE SPEED ODOMETER AND TEMP GAUGES WORKED TIL I SOLD IT AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WANT JBA TO FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE CAUSE MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND IT IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I EVER OWNED. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A MAJOR RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES CAUSE THEY ARE CHARGING AN ARM AND LEG FOR THEM ONLY TO HAVE TO FIX THEM AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES. I HAVE NO CLUE HOW FAST I AM DRIVING I JUST FIND A CAR OR TRUCK THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND FOLLOW IT. I AM NOT RICH AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED RIGHT NOW. I AM LAID OFF FOR THE SUMMER. I DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS AND DO NOT GET PAID WHILE I AM OFF FOR THE SUMMER. SO PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON ALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS A MAJOR TICKET BECAUSE OF A DEFECT. ## VIN FAILED ## 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA ## *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464721July 9, 2012
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR WHILE TURNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E005000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462339June 19, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES THE GAUGES STICK AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461430June 13, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461297June 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND THE TEMP GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO OVERHEAT, SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO WORK ONLY INTERMITTANTLY, AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS SOME ISSUES WITH REGISTERING THE PROPER SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460075May 30, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD ERRONEOUSLY FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 0 AND 70 MPH. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A SERVO MOTOR FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE EXPECTING A RECALL IN THE FUTURE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED LITTLE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457877May 9, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE CHEVY HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. MY 2004 IMPALA ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED ALONG WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL , SHE TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET HER STOP SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND TRIED PRESSING THE PEDAL BACK DOWN AND IT KICKED UP KICKING IN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL NOT ALLOWING HER TO STOP AND SHE RAN INTO A SNOW BANK BUT MY INSURANCE PAID FOR THE BODY WORK BUT NOT THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I REPLACED BOTH HUBS ON THE FRONT, QUIT DOING IT FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS KICKS IN WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND TEMP GAUGE ARE NOT WORKIN AT 0 RPM MY CAR IS DOING 90 MPH AS IT SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT STARTING BECAUSE MY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START IT MY STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK AND BECAUSE I CANT TURN MY KEY I CAN NOT PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OUT OF MY GARAGE SO I CAN GET IT TOWED I HAVE READ SO MANY ISSUES ON THESE AND OTHER GM MODELS I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS WHEN I CALLED HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS AND NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND MONEY SO AS MY CAR SITS IN MY GARAGE AS IT WILL TILL THESE ITEMS GET RECALLED I AM NOT PUTTING ANYMORE MONEY IN THIS CAR I WILL DRIVE MY 98 INFINITI THAT I HAVE HAD FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS BECAUSE I KNOW ITS DEPENDABLE. NEVER AGAIN GM WILL YOU GET ANOTHER CENT FROM ME I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457943May 9, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
THE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ON FREQUENTLY. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN BRAKING THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND CAR IS NOT STOPPING IT FEELS LIKE IT'S LOCKING UP AND SLIDING. IN A SUDDEN STOP NEEDING TO BE MADE IS AT GREAT RISK OF A ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPLACED A ELBOW SHAPED PART THAT HAS BUSTED OPEN TWICE. CAR IS CONSTANTLY OVER HEATING THE RADIATOR CAP HAS A RUSTIC CLAY LIKE SUBSTANCE. IT WON'T HOLD ANTIFREEZE, I DON'T SEE A LEAK BUT IT NEEDS REFILLED QUITE OFTEN. THE ENGINE SMOKES, THE CARS RPM'S WILL FLEX UP AND DOWN AND THE CAR WILL JUST CUT OFF. I'M WONDERING IF THE RUSTIC CLAY LIKE SUBSTANCE HAS GONE THROUGH MY ENGINE AND IS CAUSING ME MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE FOUND REPORTS OF LAWSUITS IN PAST REGARDING DEXICOOL IN GM CARS DOING THIS AND RUINING THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEMS IN THE REPORTS ARE JUST LIKE MINE AND MANY OTHERS ON HERE. HELP!!' *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456053April 22, 2012
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AND THE IGNITION FAILS, THEN YOU HAVE TO LET THE CAR SIT AT LEAST 10 MIN. THEN IT WILL START. THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM THE FACTORY AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454951April 12, 2012
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A LITTLE VIBRATION. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND BEGIN TO PICK UP SPEED IT HESITATES. WHEN GOING FROM 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR THE CAR SHIFTS HARD AND EVEN INTO THIRD GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET A TRANSMISSION SERVICE THINKING IT WOULD HELP, BUT IT DIDN'T. ITS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN ASKING AROUND TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND EVERYONE IS SAYING THAT ITS HARD TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD BE S NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF THINGS WRONG. MOST OF THE MECHANICS I SPOKE TO THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND $1800 TO GET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS CAR THAT'S HAVING THIS ISSUE. I WOULD HATE TO BE SOMEWHERE AND THE CAR JUST QUIT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE TO ME UP UNTIL THIS YEAR. I WOULD LOVE TO KEEP THE CAR BUT I DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE WASTING MONEY GETTING PARTS FIXED ON IT AND ITS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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