Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2000)

818 consumer complaints on file.

#10272693June 2, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HAVE NOTICED THAT ME STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE HOOD. I DROVE THE CAR HOME SLOWLY, AND THE NEXT DAY TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (WHICH ALREADY HAD BEEN REPLACED) AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. I HAD TO REPLACE A BRAND NEW ENGINE.($4K). NEXT MY TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY DONE, AND I HAD TO REPLACE THAT. THE RADIATOR WAS MESSED UP AND HAD TO REPLACE THAT AS WELL AS THE STARTER. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AT ALL EITHER. NOW I CAN NOT GET MY CAR SMOGGED DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH THE CODES CAME UP AS "TOO LEAN ON BANK 1" WHICH COULD MEAN A VARIETY OF THINGS ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHICH SMELLED LIKE BURNT PLASTIC. OH...HOW COULD I FORGET A FEW MONTHS BACK MY CAR JUST WOULDN'T START OUT OF NOWHERE AND THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSORS AS WELL. OH ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE STEERING ON THE CAR IS SO STIFF AS IF I DON'T HAVE POWER STEERING. ALL THE MONEY I HAVE INVESTED IN THIS VEHICLE I COULD BE DRIVING AROUND A MERCEDES! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272497June 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHE IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS FAILED AND TRAPPED THE CONTACT IN THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE AND CAUSED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS AND ONLY OFFERED $1,000 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000, WHICH STATED THAT IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272565June 1, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING WITH NO APPARENT REASON. THIS ISSUE WILL HAPPEN AND THEN START WORKING AND THEN QUIT AGAIN. NOTHING HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270214May 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5/1, 5/2--IGNITION SIMPLY CLICKED . IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED IN EACH CASE. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP--COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. NOT THE BATTERY. 5/6, 5/8--ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IGNITION CLICKED WHEN TRIED TO RESTART. TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AGAIN--COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CHRONIC--SINCE I HAVE HAD THE AUTO THE "LOW COOLANT LIGHT" SHOWS. THIS LAST TIME AT REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT AUTO WAS LEAKING COOLANT--MOST LIKELY GASKET AND WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269419May 19, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY CAR IS A 2000 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WILL NOT CHANGE THE LIGHTS FROM LOW TO HIGH. AS WE ALL KNOW SOME ROADS ARE DARKER THAN OTHERS AND HARDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. I CANT PUT MY LIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM AND 2 NIGHTS AGO I HIT A BLOWN TIRE OFF A SEMI THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL BUT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I AM A GOOD DRIVER WITH OVER A MILLION MILES ACCIDENT FREE. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE READ ABOUT A LOT OF THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268619May 13, 2009
AIR BAGS, SEATS
SIDE AIR BAG/HEATED SEAT,CLOSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN CAUSING A REALLY BIG BRUISE ON MY DAUGHTERS SIDE.CONTACTED THE G.M. DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND TO NOT CONTACT ANYONE ELSE. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM.THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STARTED BURNING AND IT RUINED THE CENTER CONSOLE ,SEAT,AND CARPET. NO SENSE IN CONTACTING G.M. AGAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ANYTHING GETS DONE TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING AND THAT G.M. WILL NOT SOLVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10267410May 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2000 CHEVY IMPALA WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY MARCH OR APRIL OF 08. I CALLED 911 AND A FIRE CREW WAS SENT TO MY PRIOR RESIDENCE. I RECENTLY HEARD OF THE RECALL ON THE NEWS, HOWEVER, THEY STATED NO FIRES WERE REPORTED THUS FAR. I NEED TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS IMPACTED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP, SO AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AS TO MY NEXT STEPS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266356April 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM CAUSES CAR NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND DISABLES THE ENGINE FOR ANYWHERE FROM 10MINUTES TO SEVERAL HOURS. SOMETIMES THE "SECURITY" LIGHT WILL APPEAR IN THE MESSAGE CENTER WHILE I'M DRIVING, BUT MOST TIMES IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. I WILL PUT IN THE KEY, BUT WHEN I TURN IT, THE ENGINE IS DISABLED AND THE "SECURITY" LIGHT BLINKS. I HAVE TO WAIT 10MINUTES FOR IT TO RESTART, AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT JUST TRIPS ITSELF CONTINUALLY AND I'LL BE STUCK FOR 30MINUTES OR MORE. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED COUNTLESS TIMES IN THE HEAT, AND DREAD EVEN STOPPING FOR GAS FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WON'T START AGAIN. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WHEN I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN, AS I FEAR THAT IF I STOP IN A SMALL TOWN, I'LL BE COMPLETELY STRANDED IF MY CAR DOESN'T START BACK UP. TWO WEEKS AGO I DROVE OUT OF TOWN AND WENT 6 HOURS ONE WAY WITHOUT STOPPING BECAUSE THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, AND A HAZARD TO PEOPLE'S HEALTH. IT'S ALSO DANGEROUS IF I GET A FLAT TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WON'T START BACK UP, THEN I AM IN DANGER FOR NO REASON. I'VE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT PARKING IN A SCARIER PART OF TOWN, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO JUST DRIVE AWAY SAFELY IF I SEE SOME SHADY PEOPLE LURKING AROUND. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS, AS THE DEALER WILL CHARGE $600 AND NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. MY 2000 IMPALA SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS THIS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM POSES A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY. I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY, GM, OR DODGE CAR AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THAT CHEVY HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE. THOUSANDS COMPLAIN ON CHEVY FORUMS BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. BIG BIG PROBLEM HERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265726April 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ON MY 2000 IMPALA DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE TURN SIGNALS MAY WORK ABOUT 40% OF THE TIME. WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY MAY JUST QUIT W/O WARNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED TO OCCUR, I COULD TURN ON THE HAZARDS AND THIS WOULD JUMP START THE BLINKERS AND THEY WOULD WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS NO LONGER WORKS, BOTH THE HAZARDS AND THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INTERMITTENT. I AM NOT THE ONLY IMPALA OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THIS APPEAR TO BE A WIDE SPREAD DEFECT WITH THE IMPALAS. THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO THE FOLLOWING EXISTING VEHICLE RECALL FOR THE 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU... CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 DATE: 2003-AUG-28 . WHY WAS THIS CONSIDERED A GREAT ENOUGH SAFETY HAZARD TO WARRANT A RECALL ON THE MALIBU BUT NOT ON THE IMPALA. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR MODEL YEAR 2000 MAKE: CHEVY MODEL: IMPALA ENG: 3.4 V6
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265644April 16, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
JUST RECENTLY MY 2000 IMPALA BEGAN TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS WHEN I USED MY BLINKERS. IT FIRST BEGAN WHEN I JUST USED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, ALL OF MY WARNING LIGHTS ON THE CLUSTER CAME ON AND THE ALARM SOUND OF THE KEY BEING LEFT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE SWITCH WOULD BE OFF, YET THE ENGINE WOULD BE RUNNING. LATER IT BEGAN TO STALL THE ENGINE. THEN LATER IT BEGAN DOING ALL OF THIS USING EITHER TURN SIGNAL. I HAVE BOUGHT EACH AND REPLACED THEM EVEN TO REPLACING THE CLUSTER AS NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THIS. I COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP IN GETTING TO ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER AND AM SCARED TO RIDE THEM IN MY CAR. THIS HAS NOW BEGAN HAPPENING EVERY TIME I USE THE TURN SIGNAL. GOOD THING I LEARNED THE HAND SIGNALS. I HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL CHEVROLET PERSON, I WOULD REALLY HATE TO HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER MAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265238April 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE, ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHICH IS PRELUDE THAT COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. MOST ALL PEOPLE WILL NOT EVEN KNOW THIS. GM USED A PLASTIC GASKET AND IF YOU CHECK WITH ANY REPAIR SHOP/GM SERVICE GARAGE THEY WILL ALL TELL YOU THE SAME, THE PLASTIC GASKET JUST DETERIORATES, WITH ANY MILEAGE FROM 60K TO 90K AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS FROM $795 TO $995 PLUS TAX AND GARAGE SURCHARGES IE SOME CHARGE CLEAN UP AND ADD ONS SUCH AS COST OF TOWELS AND CLEANERS ETC. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL REPAIR PROFESSIONALS THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM THEY KNOW AS SOON AS A IMPALA ROLLS THROUGH THE DOOR, EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. ""I BELIEVE GM SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR USING A DEFECTIVE PART AS NO OTHER VEHICLES HAVE SUCH POOR FAILURE RATE, NOR HAVE I EVER IN MY 58 YEARS OF LIVE AND OWNERSHIP OF 15 CARS/TRUCKS EVER HAD TO REPLACE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BECAUSE OF DETERIORATION. JUST SEARCH THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL FIND A MILLION PEOPLE OF THE SAME ISSUE. IF THEY KNEW WHERE TO COMPLAIN, I AM SURE YOU WOULD BE SWAMPED. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP ALL OF THE OWNERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264941April 10, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
NO CRASH, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER,GAS GAUGE GOES WACKY MOST OF THE TIME THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF THE TIME, I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER IMPALA OWNERS ON LINE AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS A RECALL FROM G.M. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. ALSO MOST OF THEM SAID THE TEMP. GAUGE GOES ALSO AND THAT CONCERNS ME IF YOU CAR WOULD OVERHEAT YOU WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED, UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE, NOW YOU WOULD HAVE TO INVEST IN A NEW MOTOR AND THAT IS WAY TO COSTLY. PLEASE SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, WERE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE REPAIR WAS TO COST $500.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261675March 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW I HAVE AN 2000 CHEVY IMPALA AND I HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN EVER I PUSH THE GAS,REVERSE, TURN, OR HIT A SMALL BUMP. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE AUTO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CANT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. HAVE YOU GUYS EVER HEARD ANY REPAIRS FOR THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260928March 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2000 IMPALA INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. SUGGESTION BY DEALERSHIP TO WAIT WITH KEY ONE 5 -20 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY MODULE TO CLEAR THEN TRY TO START AGAIN. ALSO HAPPENING WITH 2004 IMPALA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260955March 6, 2009
SUSPENSION, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY. THE TIE ROD ENDS, RACK, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, TIRES, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND BOTH AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL PERSISTS. ON MARCH 6, 2009, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND PAID $600 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH WOULD COST $88. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260980March 6, 2009
STEERING
MY FINGERS DEVELOPED CURVATURES AND TWISTED KNUCKLES. I DEVELOPED LOWER BACK PAIN. SHOULDER PAIN. NECK PAIN. CARPAL TUNNEL. SCIATIC PAIN. REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY BECAUSE I COULD NOT LIFT MY ARM ABOVE SHOULDER HEIGHT. THE STIFF "HIGH EFFORT" STEERING WAS RESULTING IN MY BODY GENERATING FORCES TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH WERE RESULTING IN SHOCK LOADS TO MY SKELETAL SYSTEM JOINTS AND BONES. OTHER DRIVERS OF THE STIFF STEERING CHEVROLET IMPALA, SATURN'S, PONTIAC GRAND AM, PICK UP TRUCKS ALL EXPERIENCE THE SAME DEFORMITIES WITH HAND/FINGER FUNCTIONAL LOSSES. *TR UPDATED 05/27/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260350March 1, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE GO OUT WITH OUT WARNING, AND UNABLE TO CONTROL THE HEADLIGHT BRIGHT AND DIM FUNCTION WITH THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL LEVER. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND AN INTERNET SEARCH PULLS UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR IN THE 2000-2004 RANGE. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN MAY 2006? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260302February 28, 2009
SEATS
I HAVE A 2000 IMPALA LS AND THE RT SIDE SEAT WARMER OVER HEATED AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL DO THIS, BUT THERE'S NO RECALL. MY HUSBAND UNPLUGGED IT AND REMOVE FUSE. NOW THE SEAT IS ALL BURNED AND CRACKING, LOOKS VERY BAD. WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS? I'VE READ WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BLAZE UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258377February 11, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257430February 4, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO FIRE JUST A SPARK AND SMOKE.. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A REPORT. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A FIELD INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND MAKE A DETERMINATION REGARDING THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT COMPENSATION WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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