Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2002)

795 consumer complaints on file.

#10268932May 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2002 CHEVY IMPALA LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AS MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF AND THERE'S NO CHANGE OR VERY LITTLE CHANGE IN LEVEL OF THE ANTI-FREEZE. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE INTAKE GASKETS ARE PLASTIC AND END UP LEAKING. THE 3.4 IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN GM PRODUCTS AND I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER NOT TO BUY 1. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE $1000 TO FIX THIS CAR I ALREADY PAID $4400 FOR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268893May 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY SYSTEM CAUSE ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY DURING A NORMAL START ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE'S MESSAGE INDICATOR WILL FLASH SECURITY/BATTERY/SERVICE VEHICLE SOON DESPITE HAVING A NEW BATTERY AND A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH A CLEAN HISTORY. THE MESSAGES ALWAYS FLASH TOGETHER IN A CYCLE, AND IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SYMPTOMS BELOW: DURING THE ABOVE CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NEITHER CRANK NOR START, OR THE VEHICLE WILL START, WITH THE ABOVE INDICATORS, AND THE RADIO WILL LOCK AS WELL AS THE DISABLING OF THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEAT AND ABILITY TO DEFOG/FROST. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION WHEREBY THE WINDOWS FOG DRAMATICALLY, COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. THE DEFECT HAS ALSO CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME IN CASES WHERE I'VE HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF A HIGHWAY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESTART IT, AND IN ONE INSTANCE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY GRAZED ON MY ARM BY A PASSING CAR AFTER I EXITED MY VEHICLE. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE LINKED IT TO EITHER A FAULTY PASSLOCK SENSOR, FAULTY BCM OR BAD WIRING, ALL OF WHICH I WAS TOLD SHOULD LAST AT LEAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, AS IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED FROM IT'S ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER DAMAGING CIRCUMSTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO FOLLOWED ITS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TO A T. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT (SEVERAL TIMES DAILY AS OF 9 MONTHS AGO) SINCE THE INITIAL DATE OF INCIDENCE, BUT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS, AND UNCERTAINTY FROM REPRESENTATIVES AT SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS, I HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY USING OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION UNTIL I CAN COVER WHAT WILL BE AN EXORBITANT COST TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268660May 13, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHEN USING THE DIMMER LEAVER. I HAVE REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH TWO TIMES ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. COST $450.00 EACH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267925May 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTORE THE HEADLIGHTS BY TURNING OFF THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS POSSIBLY FAILING. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $600. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267895May 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2001. IT HAS BEEN LIGHTLY DRIVEN AND WELL MAINTAINED. IT HAS HAD TWO MAJOR REPAIRS; THE FIRST BEING A RECALL OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, THE SECOND, A FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER FEDERAL LAW AND REPLACED. TODAY, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR POSSIBLE FIRE FROM DRIPPING OIL. THAT IS THE BASIC HISTORY. FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, WE HAVE HAD A FRIGHTENING ISSUE WITH THE CAR. YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING. A LIGHT THAT SAYS "SECURITY" FLASHES THREE TIMES OVER AND OVER AND YOU CANNOT START THE CAR FOR TEN MINUTES. GM'S PASSLOCK SYSTEM, WHICH I BELIEVE MALFUNCTIONS, THINKS THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN. TEN MINUTES LATER, YOU CAN START THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS EVEN IN THE MANUAL FOR THE CAR. GM ADMITS THAT, BUT THEY SAY IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AS MUCH AS I HAVE IT HAPPEN, LIKE ONE TIME IS OK, BUT THE 5-6 TIMES OUT OF 10 THAT MY CAR WON'T START IS EXCEPTIONAL. TEN MINUTES IS A LONG TIME WITH A SICK CHILD, ALONE IN A DARK PLACE AT NIGHT, IN AN EMERGENCY OF ANY KIND. IT IS A TERRIFYING SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. GM OFFERED ME A COUPON TOWARDS A NEW CAR. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS IN THE MANUAL AND PEOPLE ARE FRIGHTENED AND SCARED ABOUT IT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL A LONG TIME AGO SINCE PEOPLE ARE BEING STRANDED WITH A CAR WITH NO FUEL SUPPLY. DUE TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER SOMEHOW MALFUNCTIONING AND THINKING THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM REACTS BY CUTTING OFF FUEL SUPPLY FOR A DESIGNATED PERIOD OF TIME, IN THIS CASE, 10 MINUTES EXACTLY. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR HAVING THIS ISSUE AND DOING NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266430April 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
PASSLOCK SENSOR ISSUES. SOMETIMES IT JUST WON'T START AND THEN I WAIT THE 8-10 MINUTES FOR IT TO RESET AND THEN IT WILL START. BEEN TOLD BY THE CHEVY DEALER THAT IT WILL BE ABOUT 800.00 TO FIX IT. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR IN THE ABS WHEELS GOING OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266265April 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
8-10-2005 I BOUGHT IT USED MILEAGE WAS 91186 7-5-2006 TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP THEY REPLACED INTAKE/VC/HEAD/GASKETSFLUSHED RADIATOR REPLACED H2O PUMP/THERMOSTAT COOLANT OIL CHANGE RESURFACE HEADS COVERED BY GUARDIAN WARRANTY OVER $1700.00 DOLLARS 2/2008 IT STARTED ALL OVER LOW COOLANT LIGHT IT WOULD GET HOT BROWNISH LOOKING WATER REPLACED RADIATOR/HOSES/WATERPUMP/COOLANTSENSER /THERMOTSTAT/FLUSHED COOLANT SYSTEM BUT IT STILLWOULD GET HOT/BUT IF YOU TURN ON THE HEATER ON HOT BUT IT WOULD NEVER BLOW OUT HOT AIR IT WAS COLD ONLY IT SMELL AS IF THEIRS COOLANT SEEPING INTO THE MOTOR OIL MY MILEAGE AT THE FIRST REPAIR WAS 102100 MY MILEAGE AS OF TO DAY139297 AS IT SIT IN DRIVE WAY I STILL HAVE PAYMENTS OF 300.00AMONTH IM PAYING FOR 11MORE MONTHS AND CANT EVEN DRIVE IT NOT EVEN A1/2MILE TO WORK I BEEN TOLD ITS AFFECT IN THE CLOSED COOLINGSYSTEM AND DEX COOL IT INTERNAL AND I CANT AFFORD THE REPAIR OR THE PAYMENT BUT IM STUCK WITH THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266128April 20, 2009
STEERING
NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY G.M. ABOUT SAFETY DEFECT, I JUST HAPPEN TO TAKE MY CAR IN THE SHOP AND HAD TO PAY FOR A RECALL ; I HAVE A 2002 IMPALA THE STEERING SHAKES, I FEEL SOMETHING RATTLING AROUND IN THE STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265990April 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2002 CHEVORLET IMPALA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME IT WOULD OVER $750.00 TO REPAIR THIS. THE SAME THING HAPPEN WITH MY WIFE'S 2001 MALIBU. THE DEALER SAID THAT GM KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265700April 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR DOES NOT RELIABLY START. MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED WITH OUR DAUGHTER WHILE WAITING FOR THE CAR TO START. GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, TURN SIGNALS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN OR WHERE THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. AM FEARFUL OF MY WIFE BEING STRANDED IN A BAD AREA WHILE WAITING FOR THE CAR TO START. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX. 2 YRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265438April 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
2002 CHEVY IMPALA 3.8L PURCHASED USED IN DEC. 2004 W/ 65,000 MILES. WHERE TO BEGIN... FLOODING IN FLOORBOARDS DUE TO CLOG UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD, THREE SETS OF ROTORS/BRAKES, CLUNKY NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT (REPLACED TWICE BY DEALERSHIP) STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER DEALERSHIP TRIED TO CHARGE ME NEARLY $1000 TO REPLACE; COVERED BY GM AS HARRY GREEN CHEVROLET WAS 'UNAWARE' OF REPLACEMENT POLICY?!? NEW STRUTS, NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS/BALANCES B/C VEHICLE STILL SHAKES AND SHIMMYS AT 60-65 MPH; MUST DRIVE ABOUT 75-80 MPH JUST TO KEEP THIS TO A MINIMUM! BCM REPLACED TWICE BY DEALER, SECURITY ISSUES WON'T ALLOW CAR TO START FOR 15 MINS. EACH TIME, WHICH IS VERY INCONVENIENT. SOOO MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THESE 'QUALITY' GM VEHICLES, AND YET THEY DO NOTHING TO RESOLVE THEM, EXCEPT HOLD OUT THEIR HANDS WANTING MORE $$$ FROM AMERICAN TAXPAYERS TO KEEP ON MAKING JUNK! AND NOW THE NEWEST OF A LONG LINE OF RECALLS/PROBLEMS IS THAT THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD FOR LEAKING OIL ON THE MANIFOLD! ALL OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED DUE TO THE NUMEROUS SAFETY CONCERNS AND CONSUMERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF GENERAL MOTORS OBVIOUS DISREGARD FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265335April 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
BROWN MILKY FILM IN THE RADIATOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING CAUSED BY A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. REPLACEMENT OF THE GASKET DID FIX THE PROBLEM. BASED ON INTERNET SEARCHES AND DEALER INFORMATION, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265121April 13, 2009
EQUIPMENT
WE HAVE A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF. IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 10 TO 20 MINUTES. THIS USED TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING ATLEAST 3 TO 5 TIMES A MONTH. HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAY IT HAS TO ACTUALLY BE DOING IT WHILE THEY ARE CHECKING IT. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT'S DOING THIS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING NOW FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265169April 13, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO START MY VEHICLE THAT MORNING I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED, THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263647March 30, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICES - 07E021000 & 02V222000 - DO NOT APPLY TO MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS. CHEVROLET DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OR CROSS REFERENCE YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBERS. THEY STATED TO ME THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NHTSA IS "FALSE". I THINK CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LYING. HELP NEEDED. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME SOME LEGAL JARGON ANSWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263557March 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ACCELERATION. MY CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER. SO WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS, I HAVE TO HAVE THE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET MY CAR TO GO. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER AND HOOKED THE CAR TO THE COMPUTER AT WORK TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND NOTHING CAME BACK. SO WE GOT ONLINE AND STARTED LOOKING UP DEFECTS IN IMPALA'S AND FOR THE 2002 IMPALA, THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BECAUSE OF THEM BEING DEFECTIVE. MY CAR HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT SO ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED, MY CAR SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263236March 27, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ON MARCH 19, 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 5AM AND TURNING ON MY HIGHBEAMS. A CAR WAS COMING OVER THE HILL SO I TURNED OFF MY HIGHBEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. IN A PANIC I HIT THE BRAKES AND ENDED UP PUTTING MY CAR IN THE DITCH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE DITCH BUT I WAS PRETTY SHOOK UP. AFTER JIGGLING MY DIMMER SWITCH I WAS ABLE TO GET MY HEADLIGHTS AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE DIMMER SWITCH THAT NEEDED REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $450. I FOUND AN AFTER MARKET ONE ONLINE AND PUT IT IN MYSELF FOR $350. I NOTICED MY LIGHTS FLICKERING BEFORE THIS EVENT BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. USUALLY IT WAS 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK FOR TWO WEEKS WHEN THE SWITCH FINALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL DIMMER SWITCHES DUE TO THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ON A VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING IN THE DARK. IN MY CASE I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN DURING BAD ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263284March 27, 2009
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART. INITIALLY, THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT IT NOW OCCURS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE SECURITY SYSTEM WOULD LOCK UP THE INJECTORS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ON FOR 10-15 MINUTES TO REPROGRAM THE MODULE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PAID APPROXIMATELY $700 FOR THE REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262672March 21, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IT HAS LOCKED AND WILL NOT LET ME START MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262409March 19, 2009
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE DEVICE DRAINS THE BATTERY, MAKES THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLICKER, AND DISABLES THE RADIO. IN ADDITION, THE RELAYS IN THE VEHICLE CLICK ON AND OFF AS SOON AS THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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