Chevrolet Impala Complaints (2009)

824 consumer complaints on file.

#10400786May 13, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING MY BRAKES THE FRONT END SHAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY, IT MAKES YOU WANT TO NOT USE THE BRAKES AND PULL YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES APPEAR TO HAVE HARD SPOTS IN THE ROTOR. THERE ARE 35,900 MILES ON THIS CAR WHICH WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2009. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE SAYS IT HAS VIBRATED SINCE 13,000 MILES, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN A MORE ALMOST VIOLENT VIBRATION WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN COMING OFF AN EXPRESSWAY RAMP AFTER DRIVING MAYBE 20-40 MILES AND NOT EVEN USING THE BRAKES PRIOR TO HAVING TO APPLY ON THE EXIT ON A GRADUAL SLOWDOWN, NOT A SUDDEN STOP. THIS CAUSES ONE NOT TO WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I WAS A MASTER TECH ON TRUCKS FOR 20 YEARS, AND JUST DRIVING THIS ONE TIME, I KNEW THE PROBABLE CAUSE, I WAS NOT JUST GUESSING. I CHECKED THE WEB AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO SEE THE CAR MANUFACTURER I HAD ALWAYS ALIGNED MYSELF TO, IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION RESPONDING NEGATIVELY TO CUSTOMERS. I CALLED 2 LOCAL DEALERS TODAY TO TRY AND GET THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED AND ASKED BOTH SERVICE REPS IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY BOTH IN THE CINCINNATI AREA SAID NO, IT WAS A WEAR PROBLEM. WAITING TO HEAR A RESPONSE FROM THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394449April 6, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE WINDOW GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE MOUTH AND LEFT ARM. HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WERE ALSO INJURED AND THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10379837February 1, 2011
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA 1LT WITH THE ORIGINAL GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE P225/60/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED PREMATURE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED, THE FIRST WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE SECOND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT DONE AND TO REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THEY AGREED TO CALL THE DEALER ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED BOTH REAR TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376291January 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 395 GOING TO BISHOP CA. WHEN ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE ON STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR 2009 CHEVY IMPALA TO THE DEALER THEY SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED,THIS WAS AT 4200 MILES SO THEY TURNED THE ROTORS . AT 7900 MILES THE DEALER THEN CHANGED BOTH ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WARPED AGAIN, AT 13000 MILES THE DEALER CHANGED FRONT CALIPERS AND INSTALLED A SHIELD KIT TO HELP COOL THE ROTORS PLUS TURNED THE ROTORS AGAIN. NOW AT 21,000 MILES THE CAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES LIKE BEFORE AND WHEN I CALLED GM CUST SERV THEY TOLD ME THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ROTORS THIS TIME.AS THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED I FEEL GM IS TURNING THEIR BACK ON THERE CUSTOMERS WITH OWELL ATTITUDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371488December 22, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEATS
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS AND WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. HE STATES THAT THE 3 OF THE 4 DOOR ACTUATORS WERE BROKEN. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAD A PROBLEM WITH A FLASHING RED LIGHT IF A PENCIL OR PIECE PAPER WAS PLACED IN THE SEAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370653December 14, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE ROTORS WERE HEATED, THEY WOULD BECOME WARPED AS IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND ONLY HAP WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369800December 9, 2010
STEERING
HEARD A 'WHINING' NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD, THAT CHANGED PITCH WITH ENGINE SPEED. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, & HAD TO BE REPLACED & TIRES REALIGNED, AT A COST OF $1070. OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT POWER STEERING LOSS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369535December 7, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 90 WEST TOWARD DENVER CO. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEP AND WINDING AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE PACE WAS FAST. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME BEGAN SLOWING AND I BEGAN TO SLOW BY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY BRAKES HEATED UP FAST AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT BREAKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE ROTORS FEELING AS THOUGH THEY WERE WARPED AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING. I DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD. GEAR BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SLOW ME ENOUGH SO I DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND AND THIS STILL WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A DOWNHILL SPEED TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO USE THE BRAKES. FINALLY I SHIFTED TO !ST GEAR TO MAINTAIN THE SAFE SPEED THAT I NEEDED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT THE CAR FREEWHEELS SO EXCELLENT THAT EVEN ON LOWER GRADES AS EXPERIENCED IN THE CAROLINAS IN OCTOBER WHEN WE WERE THERE THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GEAR DOWN SO AS NOT TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKES WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN POSTED SPEEDS IN MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH SOLOMON CHEVROLET IN DOTHAN WHERE I GET THE CAR SERVICED AND THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY HAD NO SUGGESTIONS BUT ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DEALERSHIP WISE TO HELP ME. I FEEL IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH DOES NOT SURFACE UNLESS YOU DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368935November 30, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL HEADING FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST BACK TO ARIZONA, UPON BRAKING CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING BADLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. LATER FOUND OUT AFTER SEARCHING THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A WARPED ROTAR PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE ITEM THAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, WHY IS THIS COMPANY NOT BEING PUT TO THE FIRE TO FIX THIS. MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET CLOSE TO 1K FOR A FIX THAT MIGHT LAST 20,000 MILES? I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST CONTROL OR WORSE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THEIR NEW CHEVY AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS. OH, BY THE WAY YOUR WELCOME FOR THE MONEY. AT LEAST TOYOTA IS FIXING THEIR PROBLEMS!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367729November 24, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE ROTOR WARP ON 2009 IMPALA LT WITH 30K MILES. CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES BETWEEN 25MPH - 35 MPH. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM SPEEDS 65MPH AND ABOVE. AT THE DEALER NOW BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THE CAUSE IS DRIVER HABIT RELATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365742November 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,867.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363870November 3, 2010
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELTS ALSO DID NOT SECURELY HOLD ANY OF THE PASSENGERS. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND 4 MAJOR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. ALL 4 PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE THEIR INJURIES TREATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. SHE WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EVER EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10361432October 20, 2010
STEERING
I AM HEARING NOISES COMING FROM MY STEERING GEAR AS I MAKE TURNS. THE DEALER TOLD ME MY RACK AND PINION SYSTEM IS GOING OUT. THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO THE LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO STEER OR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET MODELS SINCE 2000. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS TAKEN PLACE YET. I AM SURE THERE ARE INJURIES AND DEATHS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360697October 15, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA WITH 7,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN RENO, NV, I WAS ON A MODERATE DOWNWARD SLOPE AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I USED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL, ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD A FLAT IN A FRONT TIRE, OR HAD SOME OTHER SUBSTANTIAL MECHANICAL PROBLEM. RELEASING THE BRAKES, THE SHAKING STOPPED. THIS SHAKING OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON THE HILL AS I SLOWED THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THE CAR TO THE RENTAL COMPANY AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS COMMONLY OCCURS WITH IMPALAS AND WAS DUE TO THE POOR BRAKES INSTALLED ON THE CAR. THE SHAKING WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO, IN MY OPINION, CAUSE DRIVERS TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY WERE REQUIRED TO BRAKE AND MANEUVER SIMULTANEOUSLY. I WON'T BE RENTING ANY MORE IMPALAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359619October 8, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE BRAKES COOLED DOWN THE SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL DID STOP. UPDATED 01/24/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359648October 8, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING RAPIDLY WHILE GOING DOWN STEEP DECLINE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO CONTROL CAR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND ROTORS WERE TURNED DOWN. THE CAR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING 2 MONTHS LATER. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND HANDED ME PAPERS STATING TO JUST GEAR CAR DOWN WHEN DRIVING DOWN MOUNTAINS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357671September 26, 2010
TIRES, SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2009 IMPALA WITH BARELY 15000 MILES. TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT A FIRESTONE BUSINESS. MECHANIC STATES THAT FRONT TIRES WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION, AND RECOMMENDED 2 FRONT TIRES AND LIFETIME FRONT END ALIGNMENT FOR A COST OF ALMOST 750.00. DID NOT TAKE HIM UP ON HIS "GENEROUS" OFFER. THIS WAS JUST BEFORE THE CAR HIT 15K MILES. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5K, AND UP UNTIL JUST OVER 10K, TIRE CONDITION WAS STATED AS "GOOD-9/32 TREAD IS STILL ON TIRES. SO, BETWEEN 10K & 15 K, THEY ARE NOW NO LONGER ANY GOOD? HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT 2009 IMPALA TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY, AS DID THE 2008'S(WHICH MY WIFE HAS) FRONT END HAS NEVER SHAKEN, SHIMMIED OR ANYTHING ELSE-STILL DRIVES DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL. AM WONDERING IF GM IS GOING TO GIVE ME A HASSLE ABOUT THIS-NOT A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT FOR THIS MODEL AT ALL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357257September 23, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA,BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2010 WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I STOP TO PARK THE CAR, MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL ROLL FORWARD 8 TO 10 INCHES. IT ALSO DOES IT IN REVERSE BUT ONLY A 3-4 INCHES. HAPPENS ABOUT 1 TIME IN 5. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN TO THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357254September 23, 2010
WHEELS
THIS IS A COPY OF A COMPLAIN THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE CHEVROLET DIV. OF GENERAL MOTORS. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER PO BOX 33170 DETROIT, MI 48232-5170 [XXX] SEPT. 23, 2010 RE: WARRANTY DECEPTION ( VEHICLE 2009 IMPALA) THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH ODOMETER READING OF 27,000 MILES. A STUD BROKE OFF THE RT REAR WHEEL AND THE LARRY GREEN SERVICE DEPT.IN COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS SHEARED OFF BY WHOMEVER ROTATED THE TIRES LAST. MY CLAIM WAS THAT THE TIRES WERE NEVER ROTATED AND THE STUD BROKE. I ALSO CLAIM THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE BECAUSE NO MATTER WHEN AND IF THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE A STUD MAY BREAK BY ROAD IMPACT. IF IT CAN BE PROVEN THAT THE STUD IS DEFECTIVE IT MAY RESULT IN A MASSIVE RECALL. HOW MUCH TORQUE IS REQUIRED TO TWIST OFF A STUD WITH A STANDARD WRENCH? THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT THE STUD DIDN'T COME FROM THE FACTORY DEFECTIVE. THAT IS AN ASSUMPTION. ( OF COURSE WITHOUT TESTING THE STUD IT IS UNKNOWN.) WITH THAT LOGIC ANYTHING THAT BREAKS CAN BE EXCUSED AS AN EXISTING CAUSE. THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS DECEPTIVE. IF AUTOMOBILE PARTS NEVER BREAK THE JUNK YARDS WOULD BE EMPTY! GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR NOT! WHAT LARRY GREEN HAS LOST IS THE GOOD WILL OF A KOREAN VET AND PERHAPS MANY OTHER VETS THAT MAY HEAR OF THIS. I HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS IN KOREA REMOVING BUSTED STUDS THAT, HOPEFULLY, ALSO DID NOT COME FROM THE GM FACTORY DEFECTIVE. [XXX] CC: LARRY GREEN CHEVORLET INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355869September 15, 2010
STEERING
ROUTINE OIL CHANGE 9/9/10. "ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR, BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS ARE BAD". 9/10/10 PER DEALER INSPECTION: POWER STEERING RACK & PINION AND THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY, REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK & PINION AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END, 2-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. CUSTOMER PAID LABOR ONLY, $300.11. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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