Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE REMEDY LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I WAS DRIVING ON MAIN STREET IN RIO VISTA AND MY VEHICLE JUST SIMPLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR ROLLED AND HIT A PLANTER IN FRONT OF THE STORE AS I TRIED STEERING IT OUT OF THE STREET. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT OPERATE. I CALLED THE AMICA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOWED TO ABEL CHEVROLET. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS TYPICAL TO THIS YEAR VEHICLE AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED IT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $509.11 SINCE MY IGNITION HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, DO I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK IN? ALSO WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE PER THE SAFETY RISK LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE DOCUMENTATION ON HOW TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY SON AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THANK GOD WE DIDN'T GET HIT. THE CAR CUT BACK ON BUT THAT WAS SCARY. IT (THE CAR) ALSO HAS SOME TYPE OF SECURITY FEATURE THAT WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO START AT TIMES. *TR
THE CAR WAS CONSTANTLY STALLING IN LOW SPEED OR STARTING FROM A STOP IN D DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. CAR HAD STALLED A FEW TIMES IN TRAFFIC, BECOMING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. CAR WAS OVERHEATING. CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED A WEEK AGO AT AAA REPAIR CENTER, EATONTOWN, NJ FOR OIL LEAK FROM GASKET OF THE MANIFOLD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED ARM AND HEAD INJURY BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SDM SENSOR WAS COVERED IN WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE COOLANT, BUT IT HAD LEAKED OUT BY THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
ON NUMEROUS TIMES, ANTI THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STUCK TRYING TO COME HOME FROM WORK, TRYING TO GO TO WORK AND AT MANY OTHER TIMES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE OUT LATE AT NIGHT AND YOU CANT EVEN START YOUR OWN CAR. CHEVROLET HAS REFUSED TO PAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED NO HELP AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. UPDATED 01/15/15
MY BLINKER SWITCH AND HIGH BEAM DOESN'T WORK AT ALL YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH THE FLASHER BUTTON IF YOU WANT TO SINGLE A TURN. OTHER TIMES IT WORKS BUT STILL NO HIGH BEAMS ITS BEEN WORKED ON LIGHTS CHANGED EVERYTHING STILL NOTHING. I WAS TOLD A FACTORY DEFECT BUT HEARD NOTHING ON THIS. I CARRY MY SMALL CHILDREN AND MY WIFE IN THIS CAR AND I ALMOST GOT REARENDED A FEW TIMES SO IF ITS A FACTORY DEFECT THEY SHOULD FIX IT. I HEARD OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT SO ITS NOT JUST PARTS WORE OUT IT WAS NO GOOD IN THE BEGINNING THEN THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT SINCE THE FAULT IS AT THE FACTORY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS UNABLE TO TURN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WAS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM. WHEN I START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT DOWN THE ROAD, SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE IDLE WILL NOT COME DOWN FROM HIGH IDLE. I CAN DO UP TO 45 MPH AND NEVER TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR. IF I TAP THE ACCELERATOR TO RELEASE THE HIGH IDLE, IT WORKS SOMETIMES. USUALLY THOUGHT, I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, AND RESTART IT. THAT USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS FIXES THE IDLE PROBLEM. IF IT CONTINUES TO HIGH IDLE, I HAVE TO REPEAT THE STOP AND START SCENARIO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
MODEL YEARS AFFECTED: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 ENGINES AFFECTED: 3.4L V6, 3.8L V6 AVERAGE MILEAGE: 108,315 MI (13,756 MI - 198,000 MI) VERIFIED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAN DEVELOP EXTERNAL ENGINE OIL OR COOLANT LEAKS. IN SOME CASES THE FAILED GASKET WILL LEAK COOLANT INTERNALLY. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THOUSANDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR
THE CAR DONT START. THE KEY STUCK ALWAYS . SOMETIMES THE CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF WHEN START THE CAR *JS
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS AT TIMES AND I NEED TO KEEP TURNING IT ON NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEN IT FINALLY STARTS! IT IS ON THE NEWS THIS IS A RECALL AND I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, GM AND BOTH FAILED TO HELP ME WITH THE ISSUE AT ALL! *TR
THIS CAR WAS ONE-OWNER AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVICED ROUTINELY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WALL ON DRIVERS SIDE, THEN SPUN AROUND AND LODGED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER OF A SEMI-TRACTOR. THE SEMI HIT THE BRAKES AND IT PROJECTED ME BACK ACROSS UPON THE TOP OF THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WHERE MY CAR JUST RODE TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY BEAUTIFUL CAR WAS TOTALED BUT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND SEAT BELTS I AM ALIVE. I HAVE A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED ANKLE, CUTS, AND BRUISES, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM INJURY OR DEATH. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE TO INSPECT. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I PARKED AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT DID START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM, CONTINUES TO DO IT TODAY. NOW AT ABOUT 8500 MILES A MESSAGE COMES UP TO SERVICE TRACT SYSTEM. AM TOLD IT IS A SENSOR IN THE HUB AND THE ENTIRE HUB WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $750 PER HUB FOR THE FRONT AND SLIGHTLY MORE IF IT IS THE REAR HUB. AFTER READING ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE HAVING, I REALIZE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS ALL THESE FIXES DO NOT STOP THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASE THE CAR NEW AND LOVE THE RIDE AND PERFORMANCE I GET FROM THIS CAR BUT AM NOT ABLE AT THE TIME TO PAY FOR EXPENSES OF THIS MAGNITUDE. HAVE CONSIDERED TRADING BUT DO NOT WANT TO SADDLE SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM. WOULD NOT MIND THE REPAIRS IF IT WAS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE FIXED. HELP *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS AND AIR CONDITIONER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
ISSUES WITH THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. ACCORDING TO THE PENSKE CHEVY, THE BCM IS BAD DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
MY GAS GAUGE STOP WORKING AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE VEHICLE. FUEL GAUGE READ INACCURATELY. I WOULD PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND FILL UP TANK AND BARELY DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE "EMPTY". I WAS TOLD BY PENSKE THAT THEY WERE UNSURE AS TO WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE AND THAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THE ISSUED REPAIRED. I HAVE RAN OUT GAS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP TO PUMP GAS I LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK. I TURNED AROUND TO PLACE THE PUMP INTO THE GAS GAUGE AND MY CAR WAS ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND I HAD TO CHASE THE CAR OPEN THE DOOR AND STOP THE CAR. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO A HALT POSITION. I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY, THE KEY SLOT WAS TURNED AT 3:00 POSITION AND NOT A 12:00 POSITION WHEN A KEY IS REMOVED FROM A IGNITION. AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL AGAIN AND I HAD TO PLACE THE "EMERGENCY BRAKE" ON TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. ONCE I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AFTER PUMPING THE CAR STARTED UP AND I PLACED IT IN DRIVE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND CAR STALLED, I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR STALLED. MY CAR HAS NOT WORKED SINCE. *TR
VEHICLE WILL NOT START PERIODICALLY, WAIT A FEW MINS AND IT WILL START. WHEN AUTOMATIC LIGHTS COME ON, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT. ALL LIGHTS ON GO OFF. MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRAC CONTROL LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR ALMOST SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL! NOW THE LIGHTS HAVE STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT 3 MONTHS RESEARCHING THE WEB TO FIND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUES. NO ONE HAS DONE A RECALL ON THIS IN ALL OF THESE YEARS??? DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A DEATH TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED? MAYBE THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE PARTS OR IT WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THIS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD NOT BE A FIX AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE WHEN THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTS. THIS FIX CAN COST UPWARDS OF $3,000.00. I WOULD ASK THAT SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THIS RESOLVED ASAP. I WILL BE KEEPING A RECORD OF ALL CONTACT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT IF ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OR OTHERS FAMILIES IT WILL SHOW CONTACT WAS MADE AND WHAT STEPS CHEVY HAS TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THERE CUSTOMERS. *TR
ABS LIGHT ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LAMP. *TR
I WAS DRIVING STARAIGHT DOING 40 AND AND I SAW A VECHILE SPEND OUT OF CONTROL I TRIED TO DRIVE FASTER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BUT DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE KEY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION CAUSING THE THE OTHER CAR TO HIT MINES IN THE REAR RIGHT NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY CAR WAS SCATCH AND A DENT I NOTICE IT FREQUENTLY THAT WHEN DRIVING THE KEY COMES OUT BY ITSELF ITS REALLY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I FLASHED MY BRIGHTS AND THEY CAME BACK ON. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. *TR
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS HE EXPERIENCED WERE EERILY SIMILAR AS TO THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMED HIM, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CEASED. ALL OF THE GAUGES WENT TO THE OFF POSITION, AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE LOST. MINUTES LATER, ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS RESUMED. THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 06/19/14
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 4, 2013. ON FEBRUARY 13, 2014, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ON APRIL 5, 2014, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AGAIN. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,413. UPDATED 7/7/14*CN UPDATED 07/11/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DETACHED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 6/10/14*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK AND BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SEVERAL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE PASS LOCK ASSEMBLY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,400.
I HAD JUST DROPPED MY 8 YEAR OLD SON OFF AT SCHOOL, AND I WAS HEADED TO WORK. THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS SLIDING ON VERY THIN ICE. I COULD NOT STEER AWAY FROM THE BACK OF A PICK UP TRUCK. THE DRIVER DROVE OFF BEFORE I COULD EVEN EXIT THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED SINCE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT BUT NONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WHO LIVES PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP POURING INTO THIS CAR. I KNOW THERE IS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER, MUCH LESS THE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. ALL I WANT TO HAVE MY CAR BACK ON THE ROAD RUNNING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND WHEN SWITCHING FROM THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, THE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WOULD SWITCH THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF, BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 05/29/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/2014 *JS
ON THE ABOVE DATE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO PULL OF AND CAR DID WANT TO START NOTICE THE PASSLOCK 2 SYSTEM SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME CAR START RIGHT UP DROVE TO WORK CAR DIDN'T WANT TO START AGAIN. HAS NOT START SINCE. NOTE I SPENT 700 ON THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM A YEAR IN HALF AGO.THIS IS BULL GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR GOOD. *TR
CAR BEGAN TO FLASH SECURITY LIGHT. THEN WITHIN A MONTH THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME WITH SIGNAL LIGHT MAKING A CLICKING SOUND THEN NOT ABLE TO FLASH PREVENTING THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME NOT TO KNOW THE DIRECTION IM TURNING. THE SWITCH YOU HAVE TO JUGGLE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. I HAD THE BCM CHANGED THE RADIO IS LOCKED THE LIGHTS USE TO FLASH ON AND OFF. NOW THE CAR STARTS INTERMENT AND THE RADIO IS STILL LOCKED THE SECURITY LIGHT IS STILL ON, CRUISE LIGHT, AND PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE CHEVY IMPALA TO BUT THEIR IS NO RECALL....WHY? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6900. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT ALWAYS WORK. UPDATED 06/30/14
CAR WOULD NOT START. SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES A YEAR SINCE 2004. THE WIRING TO THE LIGHT SYSTEM MELTED AT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ONE INCIDENT. I CONTINUALLY HAVE TO RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO OVERRIDE THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM ERRORS. THE CAR CONTINUES TO FAIL WITH PAS LOCK SECURITY ISSUES. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON CHEVROLET IMPALAS, PONTIAC AND OTHER GM MODELS. THE SOLUTIONS ARE VAGUE AND INCONSISTENT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER IN SAN DIEGO AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO REPLACE A BUNCH OF EXPENSIVE PARTS WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE SECURITY LOCK START ISSUE. THEY SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THE CAUSE. THEY TOLD ME THE BEST THING TO DO WAS TO TRADE IT IN ON A NEW CAR OR SELL IT TO SOME UNSUSPECTING PERSON TO DEAL WITH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOAT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATE AMOUNTS OF FUEL AND THE LOW FUEL GAUGE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
PROBLEM WITH STARTING HAS PROGRESS TO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF DURING OPERATION. SEVERAL TIMES NOW THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE CAR WHILE MOVING. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND MERGING INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAD PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO MAKE THE CURVE WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR. AT THIS POINT, THE POWER STEERING KICKED IN AND I FOUND MYSELF SWERVING FROM THE SUDDEN SNATCH ON THE STEERING. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN AT THE CONTROLS I KNOW IT WOULD HAVE TURN OUT BAD! I SEE UNLIMITED COMPLAINS AROUND THIS ITEM. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ON PEOPLE TO GET INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE THE COMPANY IS FORCE TO BE RESPONSIBLE? IF THIS WAS A FOREIGN CAR COMPANY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE ALREADY FORCED A RECALL. *TR
PASSLOCK SYSTEM WOULD DISABLE THE CAR FROM STARTING DOZENS OF TIMES FOR MONTHS. I WOULD GET STUCK ANYWHERE WITHOUT WARNING FOR HALF AN HOUR OR MORE WITH MY CHILDREN. IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR A COOLANT LEAK ISSUE. THE DEXCOOL ( A HORRIBLE PRODUCT WITH LAWSUITS DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE) HAD EATEN THE HOSES AND WAS SPRAYING AROUND THE ENGINE. IT CREATED A SLUDGE THAT THANKFULLY DID NOT DESTROY MY RADIATOR. THE CAR FINALLY OUTRIGHT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM. I HAVE READ ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT READ THE KEY. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS. HAD TO GET NEW BCM AND HAVE THE SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES AND FOR IT TO FAIL AND NEED SUCH EXPENSIVE REPAIRS FOR A FAULTY SYSTEM WITH NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MECHANICS OF THE CAR IS UNREAL. ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE IS WITH THE SIGNALS GOING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I NEVER KNOW IF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I AM FEARFUL THAT OTHER ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIGHT HAPPEN. BUT KNOWING THAT THE BCM MIGHT FAIL AGAIN IN ANOTHER YEAR OR SO IS THE BIGGEST RUB. HOW MANY TIMES DO PEOPLE HAVE TO REPROGRAM THEIR CAR AND REPLACE PARTS ON A FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT WILL FAIL AGAIN? *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala → · Every Impala year → · How the figures are calculated →