Chevrolet Impala Complaints
10,446 consumer complaints on file.
- #10133454August 12, 2005POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10132430August 11, 2005AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER SCANNED FOR CODES-- FOUND 3 CODES CURRENT, B0026-FRONTAL DEPLOYMENT LOOP STAGE 1, B0043 L/F FRONTAL DEPLOYMENT LOOP STAGE 2 VOLTAGE OUT OT RANGE, B0044 L/F FRONTAL DEPLOYMENT LOOP STAGE OPEN DEALER DID SIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK FOUND SIR COIL MODULE HAD OPEN CIRCUIT. THEY REPLACED SIR COIL MODULE. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. OLD PART IS UNAVAILABLE (DEALER KEPT IT).*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10132502August 11, 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WITH THE BRAKES ON. IT IS PULSATED/SQUEALED WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REAR BRAKES PULSATED DUE TO WARPED REAR BRAKE ROTORS. THE FIRST TIME DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE THEY FOUND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES OVERHEATED, CAUSING THEM TO WARP. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10132504August 11, 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
STARTING 2/05 I HAVE HAD THE "SECURITY" WARNING LIGHT AND MY ENGINE FAIL TO START ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM THE FIRST TIME BUT HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT, PER GM, I NEED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO PREVENT MY VEHICLE FROM SHUTTING DOWN ON THE ROAD. IF THAT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS BUT WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S DEFECT UNTIL A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND HAVE THESE ALL REPAIRED BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT DOES TAKE PLACE. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST BECAUSE OF A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED FLAW. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10132059August 9, 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FADE WHEN STOPPING HARD. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10131918August 8, 2005SERVICE 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
- #10131850August 7, 2005EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME. IF YOU TURN THE HAZARD FLASHERS ON FOR A MINUTE THEN TURN THEM OFF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10131787August 6, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA IT HAS A COMPLETELY CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. I CONTACTED COUNTRY CHEVY IN WARWICK NY THEY CANT HELP ME W/O CHARGING ME BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 1800 MILES AGO. I UNDERSTAND FROM THERE SERV DEPT AS WELL AS NUMEROUS MECHANICS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING LIGHT FOR THIS OR I MAY HAVE KNOW PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. NOW I HAVE A CAR I PAID CASH FOR THAT I CANT DRIVE. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY PRIOR COMPLAINTS. I AM CONTACTING GM TO SEE IF THEY CAN ASSIST ME FURTHER. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10131721August 5, 2005VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH THE FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST YEARS. THE ACCELERATOR ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. PREVIOUSLY, THE ENGINE COULD RUN FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES, AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. BUT THIS DID NOT LEAD TO ANY INFORMATION. THEY CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AFTER TESTING WAS DONE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT CONSUMER BRING THE CAR I WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. CONSUMER CONTACTED GM. THEY WOULD DOCUMENT THE CLAIM AND THE VEHICLE 'S HISTORY AND THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 DEALERSHIPS, AND NEITHER COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10131243August 3, 2005EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS IN MY 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA SIMILAR TO THE FOLLOWING EXISTING VEHICLE RECALL FOR THE 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU... CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 DATE: 2003-AUG-28. *JB COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH DEFECT SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. ...THE RESULT IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF TURN SIGNAL OPERATION WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS LED TO INABILITY TO SIGNAL INTENT OF DRIVER DURING A TURN, LANE CHANGE, ETC. AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10129786July 23, 2005SEATS
HIT FROM BEHIND THE SEAT LUMBAR ROLL MADE MY BACK INJURY WORST
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10129682July 22, 2005SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS AND TRACT CONTROL LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENLY. DEALER CANT SOLVE ISSUE, WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER TO PUT SOME " SPECIAL TAPE" ON WIRING HARNESS. ALSO AT FIRST ACCELERATION TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN. HAD RF HUB BEARING AND STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. NO RESOLUTION
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10126665July 22, 2005VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT: THE WAY THAT THE WINDOW SWITCH IS DESIGNED IT CAN EASILY SHUT ON A CHILD'S BODY OR BODY PART. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SIX MONTHS AGO ON TV. THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR A TRIP FOR VACATION.*AK WHEN THE CONSUMERS SON LEANED HIS HEAD OUT THE WINDOW, HIS ELBOW HIT THE SWITCH, AND THE WINDOW BEGAN TO GO UP. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SWITCH BE INSTALLED, THE TYPE THAT ONE WOULD HAVE TO PULL IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10129567July 21, 2005SEATS
DT: CONTACT STATES THE SAFETY CONCERN WITH VEHICLE IS THAT THE SEATS ARE MADE TOO LOW FOR SHORTER PEOPLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY STATED IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THERE ARE A SAFETY AND A COMFORT ISSUES IN THE DESIGN OF THE SEATS, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER PEOPLE.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10129438July 20, 2005VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY FOOT IS QUITE OFTEN FALLING OFF THE GAS PEDAL
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10129517July 20, 2005ELECTRICAL 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
- #10129382July 19, 2005EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TURNING SIGNAL FAILURE. PROBLEM IS FIXED TEMPORARLY WHEN I TAP ON THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. I CALLED UP MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH BUT, THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10130233July 15, 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2001 IMPALA FRONT AND REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PADS WERE FALLING OFF IN HIS HANDS. THE ROTORS HAD SOME SCRATCHES ON THEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE MACHINED DOWN. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 2001 CHEVROLET S-10 THAT HAD THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10128806July 14, 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH AND A LINE OF VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US STOPPED, NOT REAL FAST, BUT THEY STOPPED AND WE WERE ABOUT 80 YARDS IN BACK OF THEM AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKE PETAL THE CAR JUST DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. IT WAS SKIDDING ALL ALONG, SQUEALING TIRES, UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF IT AND STARTED TO FISHTAIL. ABOUT 1 FOOT MORE OR SO, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT! I DIDN'T SLAM THEM ON OR ANYTHING. IT WAS KIND OF A SUDDEN STOP, BUT NOT REALLY TOO SUDDEN. ALL OF THE VEHICLES AROUND US STOPPED PREFECTLY NORMAL. I'VE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS! MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRENTY, HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT IN. I THINK I SHOULD THOUGH. BUT STILL, GENERAL MORORS AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR RELEASING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE LIKE THIS! ANOTHER SMALL COMPLAINT I HAVE, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARLY A SAFETY CONCERN, IS THE FACT THAT THE STEERING IS RATHER POOR ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU GO AROUND TURNS, YOU HAVE A MAKE AN EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND GET THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT AGAIN. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT NEW CARS SHOULD BE BETTER THAN OLD ONE'S, HOWEVER MY EXPERIENCES HAVE OBVIOUSLY PROVEN THAT THEY'RE NOT. THANK YOU FOR READING MY COMPLAINT. I HOPE YOU CAN GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND MAYBE THEN GM CAN MAKE CHANGES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10128614July 13, 2005UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I LOOK ON HERE AND SEE A NUMBER OF THINGS GOING ON WITH MY CAR. ROLLING ON HILLS, DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH,CONSTANT BURNING OF SPARK PLUG WIRES, MY KEYLESS ENTRY NEVER WORKED, I'VE HAD ROTERS TURNED AND REPLACED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. BUT THE 2 THINGS THAT ARE BOTHERING ME ARE 2 PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR 2000 IMPALAS DON'T MATCH MY VIN # FOR THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF I'M HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE. 1 IS THE RACK N PENION PIECE WHICH IS CAUSEING THE POPIN AND STUFF UNDER THE FRONT END THAT MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE ARE AND THE SECOND IS THE INTAKE MANAFOLD GASKETS. ARE THEY JUST REPLACEING THESE 2 ITEMS ON POLICE ISSUED AND TAXIS ? AND ALSO THE HESITATION &SHUT OFF THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IT WAS A WIREING PROBLEM THAT WAS LAYING ON MY EXUAST. I HAVE HAD TO FIX NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND DON'T MIND. BUT A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 AND GM WHO DO YOU THINK CAN AFFORD TO FIX THINGS MORE. AND I FEAL THAT THE SHOULD FIX THERE FAULTY MATERIAL AS I HAVE FIXED MY WEAR AND TEAR. IF THAT RACK N PENION BREAKS AND I LOSSE CONTROL OF STEARING IN MY CAR MY FAMILY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I PROMISE IT WOULD OF BEEN ALOT CHEAPER TO GO AHEAD AND FIX IT FOR EVERYONE. IT'S SAD THAT WE HAVE GOT TO GO TO LIMITS OF PUTTING ADS IN PAPER, CALLING PEOPLE, AND ALMOST A ACT OF CONGRESS TO GET ANY KIND OF HELP. HOW MANY CARS HAVE LOST CONTROL OF STEARING? (RACK N PENION) WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I EXPECT MY KEYLESS ENTRY TO WORK BECAUSE I'M IN DANGER AND COUNTED ON IT? OR MAYBE WHEN ONE OF THOSE WIRES THAT'S BURNIG UP CATCHES MY CAR ON FIRE. OUT OF 600 COMPLAINTS THE THREE MOST COMPLAINED ABOUT ITEMS RACK IN PENION, WIREING, AND THE CAR ROLLING BAKWARDS WERE YOU KEEP 1 FOOT ON THE GAS AND 1 ON THE BREAK. IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL GLADLEY LET SOMEONE DRIVE MINE TO SEE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0