Page 21 of 22 · complaints 1,001–1,050 of 1,074

2004 Chevrolet Impala complaints

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 2004 record →

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Pinion Shaft
Filed Nov 24, 200600

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END STEERING , WENT TO DEALER WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE STEERING PART THAT WAS BEGINNING TO SEIZE , I THINK THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT IF THE STEERING SEIZED I WOULD BE UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. *NM

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 15, 200665,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, I WENT TO PUSHING MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND WHEN I DID I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR, THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CONSOLE WHERE YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, THEN I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE THAT I COULDN'T SEE AND I COULD HEAR A CRACKLING SIZZLING NOISE, SO I PULLED AT THE PIECE THAT COVERS UP THE GEARS AND SEEN THAT THE WIRES WHERE BURNING IT LOOKED AS IF WHERE THE SPRING THAT LIGHT DYNAMITE OR SOMETHING SO I DID THE ONLY THING I COULD DO I POURED MY SODA ON THE WIRES BECAUSE I WAS SCARED THE CAR MIGHT HAVE BLOWN UP WITH ME AND MY 10 MO. OLD BOY AND 3 YEAR OLD GIRL RIGHT THERE. *NM

Steering
Filed Nov 10, 200649,000 milesMI

2004 CHEVY IMPALA HAS A CLUNK NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING. *NM

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 9, 200659,900 milesAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 14, 200685,000 milesKY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE PEDAL PULSATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE. THE SHAKING STOPPED FOR ONE WEEK, BUT THEN THE SHAKING PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V287000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2006MI

USED VEHICLE PURCHASE - CLUNK IN STEERING UPON TURNING - BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF STEERING GOES OUT? *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 6, 200615 milesKY

THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE SOLENOID AND VALVE BODY. APPARENTLY THROUGH SPEAKING WITH SOME OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR, IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY GM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS IN RELATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN CARS AS EARLY AS 30,000 MILES. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT HARD AND THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AS AN END RESULT. *JB

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 5, 200652,400 milesTN

UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING HYDROPLANING WITHOUT JUST CAUSE OTHER THAN RAIN, ALSO NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BACKING IT, AND IT DRAGS WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO START. THE SPEED,TEMP,AND GASOLINE GAUGE ISN'T WORKING. I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE RAIN AND IF I CAN AVOID IT, I WILL NOT DRIVE, THE PROBLEMS BEGAN IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS MILES IS STILL FAIRLY LOW. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 5, 200638,000 milesTN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER LOCKED AT 60 MPH, AND DID NOT KEEP AN ACCURATE SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 7, 200660,000 milesIL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AT ANY SPEED. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 04V287000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jul 21, 200652,000 milesME

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING AND ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL HITTING SEVERAL OBSTACLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED. *AK

Steering
Filed Jul 19, 200648,000 milesGA

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLUCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END> IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEL. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT ALL IMPALAS MAKE THIS NOISE AFTER SO MANY MILES. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS CAR HAS 50,000 MILES AND THEY TELL ME THEY STEERING SHAFT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS TELLS ME THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PARTS AND THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT. NOW STEERING SHAFTS SEEM TO ME TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR AND THAT IF IT FAILS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GE HURT. SO DOES THIS MAKE IT A SAFETY PROBLEM? *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 6, 200634,000 milesIA

THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEAD GASKET REPAIRED UNDER STANDARD 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. WE ARE NOW TOLD WE HAVE ANOTHER HEAD GASKET OR HEAD PROBLEM AT 49,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINE MANUFACTURER PROBLEM OR I GOT A LEMON ENGINE FROM CHEVROLET? *JB

Steering › Column
Filed Jun 21, 20064,100 milesTX

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE TURN IN THE STEERING. DURING THE TURN IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS A BREAK IN THE STEERING LINE. IT SEEMS AS IF IT WERE A CHAIN I WOULD SAY ITS MISSING ABOUT 4 LINKS. I TOOK IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS RESOLVED FOR A WHILE. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TIGHTENING. HERE IT IS DOING THE SAME THING FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NOW I NOTICE THE BRAKING IS NOT STOPPING IN THE MANNER IT SHOULD. I HAVE NEARLY REARENDED A FEW PEOPLE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS OR CONTINUED JUST PAST THE STOP LINE AT AN INTERSECTION. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 4, 200661,925 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT AT ABOUT 9:30 IN THE COUNTRY AND IT WAS PITCH-BLACK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. I HAD TO BE GOING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THEY WOULDN'T COME BACK ON UNTIL I PULLED THE DIMMER SWITCH IN AND OUT REPEATEDLY. LUCKILY I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA TO COME TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR IN TO A DEALER AND GET AN INSPECTION. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 22, 200628,000 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM BEGAN FOUR MONTHS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER WHO REPLACED AN UNKNOWN MODULE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW RETURNED AND THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND RE ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. MANIPULATING THE SWITCH DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE THE LIGHTS RE ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT IS PLANNING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER LATER TODAY FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS A POLICE CRUISER.

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Mar 30, 200630,000 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE BACK REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ERUPT INTO FLAMES AND ENGULF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE FIRE MARSHALS REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND STARTED WITH A SHORT IN THE WIRING TO THE REAR DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEEMED TOTALED.

Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
Filed Feb 27, 200662,800 milesOR

THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH A 2004 CHEV IMPALA WAS USED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON ASPHALT SURFACE ON A LESS THAN 1% GRADE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP TO REPLACE A TIRE WITH NO STRESS ON THE WHEEL OR VEHICLE, THE JACK FAILED AND DROPPED THE VEHICLE TO THE GROUND. THE JACK BENT AND THE CENTER ALL THREAD SCREW ALSO BENT. THE OEM SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT IS INADEQUATE TO ELEVATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 8, 2006CO

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN A TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. HE COULD DO NOTHING BUT HIT HIM ALMOST STRAIGHT ON (T-BONE). HE DID APPLY THE BRAKES AND WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT BUT STILL CRUSHED HIS STERNUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! HE HAS BEEN IN TERRIBLE PAIN AND WAS VERY RELIEVED HE DID NOT HAVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. ALTHOUGH I THINK HIS IS QUITE SERIOUS!*JB

Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2006WI

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SQUEAKS INTERMITTENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. *TS SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *JB

Wheels › Hub
Filed Feb 3, 200630,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC HOUSING CAP THAT COVERS THE HUB NUTS BROKE OFF WHICH MADE THE TIRE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. ALTHOUGH THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE RIGHT REAR HUB CAP HOUSING, THE OTHER PLASTIC HOUSINGS WERE NOT AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE PLASTIC HOUSINGS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 2/27/2006 - *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 18, 200627,800 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLIED CAUSING A INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. IN JULY OF 2005 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ONE SET OF BRAKE ROTORS AND RESURFACED THE OTHER SET. IN SEPTEMBER ANOTHER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OTHER SET OF ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER, WHICH DETERMINED THE ROTORS NEED TO BE RESURFACED DUE TO RUST BUILD UP. THEY DID NOT RESURFACE THE ROTORS BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Dec 29, 200542,000 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND REMAINED OFF UNTIL THE DIMMER SWITCH WAS PRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK . INCIDENTAL NIGHT TIME HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES ON 01/27/2006; ONCE ON 02/12/2006, INVOLVING HIGH BEAM, AND 3 TIMES ON 02/18/2006, INVOLVING 2 HIGH BEAMS. SUBSEQUENT OCCASIONAL FAILURE UNTIL THE TURN SIGNAL/DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 03/14/2006. CONTACT PAID $345 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 28, 20051,200 milesSC

I HAVE HAD MY 2004 IMPALA FOR 18 MONTHS, OF THAT 18 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR BRAKES FOUR TIMES. THE ROTORS KEEP WARPING UP. SOME DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE ROTORS ONE TIME. THIS HAS GOTTEN TO BE SUCH A PROBLEM THAT MY FAMILY WILL NOT RIDE IN THIS CAR. WHY CAN'T GM DESIGN A CAR WITHOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THE IMPALA HAS. *NM

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 22, 2005WV

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT HER NECKED HURT. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 15, 20056,000 milesIL

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-BRAKING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AND STRUCK THE DASHBOARD, RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 7, 2005NY

I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA, THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR ROTORS GROUND DOWN TWICE BECAUSE THEY HAD WARPED AND WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER DID THE REPAIR AND IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NEW VEHICLE. *NM

Electrical System
Filed Dec 6, 200554,527 milesWI

2004 IMPALA HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
Filed Dec 2, 200536,075 milesWI

WHILE USING MANUFACTURER SUPPLIED SCISSORS JACK TO RAISE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA TO CHANGE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, JACK FOLDED OVER CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP TO GROUND AND ROLL BACK SLIGHTLY. VEHICLE WAS ON SMOOTH, CLEAN, LEVEL CONCRETE GARAGE FLOOR AT THE TIME. SCISSORS JACK HAD COME APART AS A RESULT AND IS NO LONGER SERVICEABLE. IT HAS BEEN RETAINED. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 29, 2005IA

LACK OF CHILD SAFETY LOCKS. WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO CHILD SAFETY LOCKS AND I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR. HAD TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND TO MY SURPRISE I HEARD THE WARNING SOUND AND SEEN THE LIGHT FLASH THAT A CAR DOOR WAS OPEN. THAT WAS WHEN I TURNED TO SEE MY SON OPENING THE DOOR. HIGHLY RECOMMEND A RECALL ON THIS TO HAVE THE LOCKS INSTALLED. WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED THAT THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT YET IT'S SHOWN AS A FAMILY STYLE CAR. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 17, 2005NC

VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL WHILE IGNITION IS IN ACC. POSITION. WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS TO RELEASE THE SHIFTER AS PER SHIFTER INTERLOCK. *NM

Parking Brake
Filed Oct 7, 2005SC

CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER REDUCED THE SIZE OF THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH DECREASED THE HOLDING POWER/ EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKE. *TS WHILE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE BRAKE WOULD NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED. THE SECOND TIME THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE NOT TO HOLD/RESTRAIN THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 28, 2005NY

ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 I RENTED A CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM AVIS ON W 76TH ST IN NEW YORK CITY. WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT LATER THAT DAY IN HARTFORD, CT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE FULL THROTTLE INTO THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT WHILE FULL BRAKE PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED. ABOUT ONE SECOND WENT BY AND IT HAPPENED ONCE MORE, STRIKING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. SINCE THERE WAS SUCH A SMALL DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CARS THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH A HIGH SPEED, BUT THERE WAS A STRONG JOLT WHEN STRIKING THE OTHER CAR. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND INSPECTING FOR DAMAGE NONE WAS FOUND TO EITHER VEHICLE BUT IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS. I CALLED AVIS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND REQUESTED THAT A CAR BE BROUGHT TO ME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE I HAD TO BRING IT TO AN AVIS LOCATION MYSELF. LATER THAT NIGHT, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE AVIS LOCATION AT THE BRADLEY AIRPORT IN HARTFORD AND THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AGAIN. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I RETURNED THE CAR AND WAS GIVEN AN EXCHANGE.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 11, 2005IN

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 5, 20053,900 milesCT

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

Seats
Filed Jul 21, 2005PA

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 20, 2005MI

MY FOOT IS QUITE OFTEN FALLING OFF THE GAS PEDAL

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 14, 200516,000 milesPA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 7, 2005PA

2004 CHEVY IMPALA TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 80. THE FAILURE HAS COST $100'S OF DOLLARS IN TOW TRUCK FEES, RENTAL FEES ETC. COMPLAINTS WERE MADE TO GREY CHEVROLET IN STROUDSBURG PENNSYLVANIA OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS REGARDING A NOISE COME FROM EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE ENGINE AND UP TO THE POINT OF THE FAILURE THE SERVICE DEPARTEMENT AT THE DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER PROPERTY ASSESSED. GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO CONTACTED REGARDING OUR UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE MY THIS DEALER OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AS I WRITE THIS COMPLAIN 7/7/05 MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE LOT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AWAITING WORD FROM GMC ON WHAT TO DO.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly1 injured
Filed Jun 27, 2005FL

I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA. I INTENDED TO LEAN MY ARM ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, BUT FOREARM ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE SEATBELT BUCKLE (WHICH I HAD ALREADY FASTENED). MY FOREARM WAS PINCHED INTO THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CAUSING A ONE INCH SQUARE BLOOD BLISTER AND BRUISING. IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY, BUT DID HURT NONETHELESS. AND, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE HURT A CHILD OR EDERLY PERSON MORE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 8, 200516,215 milesTX

DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE TURNED BROWN AND SLUDGED UP. LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND 16,200 MILES ON VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD SYSTEM FLUSHED, RESERVOIR REPLACED AND NEW COOLANT ADDED. I WILL TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR. MANY PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN TO WITH GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THIS COOLANT.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 7, 2005AZ

DT: THE VEHICLE HAS NO CHILD SAFETY LOCKS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND FOUND THAT THE CHILD UNLOCKED THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *SC *JB

Structure
Filed May 13, 2005NE

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD GLARE. *MR (SOLAR RAY WINDSHIELD) THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY DISTORTED THE CONSUMERS VISION IN SOME INSTANCES. *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 4, 20051,857 milesMD

ENGINE IS CONSUMING OVER A QUART OF OIL APPROX. EVERY 1800-2000 MILES. I WAS SHOWN A BULLETIN THAT SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TWICE TO THEM EACH TIME THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BUT TO CHECK IT EVERY DAY OR TWO AND KEEP TRACK THEN COME IN WITH MY NOTES TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR GARAGE THE NEXT TIME THE OIL WAS LOW AND 4 MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT THE RATE OF OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NOT REGULAR AND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IF IT IS NOT MAKING IT PASSED 2000 MILES BEFORE IT LOSES OVER A QUART OF OIL.

Child Seat
Filed May 3, 20051,200 milesAZ

CONSUMOR STATES: DOES NOT HAVE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 28, 2005TN

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE RESPONSE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BY THE DEALERSHIP. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V287000. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN 3,738 MILES WITHOUT THE CONSUMER BEING NOTIFIED BY GM OR THE DEALERSHIP. *SC *JB

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Mar 14, 2005MI

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE STALLED . DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 7, 2005TN

' RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED ON 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED GM STILL HAS NOT SENT HIM AN OFFICIAL RECALL LETTER EVEN AFTER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 200523,000 milesSC

THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS', AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO JUDGE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 10, 2005200 milesOH

HVAC SYSTEM IN THE 2004 IMPALA HAS A PROBLEM. THE AC COMPRESER RUNS IN THE HEAT ONLY MODE AT TEMPS AS LOW AS 30 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES THE INSIDE WINDOWS TO FOG UP ON THE INSIDE AND IF THE VECH IS LEFT PARKED OUTSIDE ALL THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP ALL WINDOWS CLEAN IS TO OPEN ONE OF THE WINDOWS A LITTLE AND RUN DEFROST WITH AT LEAST HALF SPEED. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS THE FRONT AND SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP AND IT IS VERY HARD TO CLEAT THE SIDE WINDOWS. THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING MY GAS MILEAGE TO GO DOWN AND MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. DEALER SAID IT IS OK. THE MANUAL SAYS THE AC SOULD ONLY RUN ABOVE 40 AND ONLY IN DEFROST OR DEMIST MODES.*AK

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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.

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