2001 Chevrolet Impala Complaint Log

I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN DRIVING MY BLINKERS WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. I HAVE TO TURN THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO GET MY BLINKERS TO START WORKING AGAIN. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED ME $405 FOR A NEW SWITCH. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO INSTALL IT BECAUSE THEY ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS THEY INSTALL NEW SWITCHES CONSTANTLY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $405 FOR OUR BLINKERS TO WORK. *TR

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH.*MR *JB

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2001 IMPALA FROM DEALER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO (4/29/2005) AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY FOR SOME MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE AND IT IS QUITE SERIOUS. I HAVE CHECKED SOME ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE IMPALAS. I THINK GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSE MY COST OF REPAIR.

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE VIBRATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *MR THIS WOULD BECOME MUCH WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE ORIGINAL BRAKE LININGS HAD COME OFF OF THE SHOES. ALL OF THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 2781K MILES. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED 3 TIMES TO GET THEM FLAT. *SC *JB

PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING SYSTEM ON THE 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOUNDED. *MR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, GAS MILEAGE AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD BURNED AGAINST THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER ALSO FOUND MISSING COMPONENTS SUCH AS A FUSE AND A HUGE HOLLOW AREA DUE TO THE MISSING FANS. *SC *JB

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

DT: A SEVER POPPING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THERE IS A LACK OF CONTROL IN THE STEERING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 21, 2005. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES . THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. *AK

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT AND AFTERWARDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION.*MR THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO REVERSE AND HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE THRUST BEARINGS BROKE AND DAMAGED THE SUN GEAR, INPUT CARRIER AND REACTION SUN GEAR. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT'S FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS REFERENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NM

I HAD A INTAKE GASKET LEAK ON MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA W/3.4 ENGINE,I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THE CAR ONLY HAS MID 50'S MILEAGE,,ACCORDING TO SOME SHOPS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS CAR. *AK

WHILE PARKING AT VERY SLOW SPEED, VERY LOUD CRACKING NOISE FROM FRONT OF CAR WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING STEERING WHEEL. HAPPENING OFTEN. HAVE HAD FRONT END INSPECTED TWICE, NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH WHEEL BEARINGS,OR TIE RODS. PREVIOUS OWNER HAS HAD STEERING RACK REPLACED, POSSIBLY DUE TO SAME COMMON PROBLEM- WHICH MAY BE POOR LUBRICATION OF STEERING SHAFT AS REPORTED IN WWW.IMPALAHQ.COM/TSB01-02-32-001A.HTML

THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE COULD OVER HEAT. CONSUMER CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FLUID LEAK OUT THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT IN COOLANT ABOUT ONCE A MONTH TO AVOID OVERHEATING.*AK DEALER PUT NEW GASKET IN AT INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPAIRED RADIATOR. *BF *NM

OUR LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE TOOK IT TO GET IT SERVICE AT FIRST THE DEALERSHIP DID A LEAK INFECTION AND FOUND NOTHING TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR THEY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT BUT MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING BACK ON THE NEEDLE ON THE DASH BOARD HARDLY MOVES,THEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY FOUND COOLANT LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THEY ALSO REPLACE A TAPPING NOISE (WHICH OCCURED ON OUR WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP) WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE LIFTERS ALONG WITH A BRAKE CHECK/PAD REPLACEMENT OUR BILL TOTAL WAS $1504 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ALREADY. I HAVE BEEN READING THE INTERNET AND FOUND AN INFO REGARDING THIS LEAKEAGE ON MANIFOLD IS CAUSED BY DEXCOOL WHICH WHAT THEY USE IN MY CAR,I FOUND OUT THAT THE CHEMICAL DOESN'T CONTAIN AN AGENT TO FIGHT RUST BUT CONTAINS SOME ACID CHEMICAL INSTEAD, DO NOT QUOTE ME BUT GO TO WEBSITE TYPE DEXCOOL AND YOU'LL SEE IT. *AK

(1) I WAS DRIVING ON 2 LANE UNDIVIDED STATE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE AND I WERE THE ONLY OCCUPANTS. I WOKE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I STARTED BRAKING (ABS BRAKES) I THINK WE SLOWED TO ABOUT 50 MPH BEFORE HITTING THE BLUNT END OF A GUARD RAIL. THE CAR IMPACTED ABOUT 6 INCHES RIGHT(DRIVERS SIDE) OF CENTER ON THE FRONT. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE CAR HAD SPUN 170 DEGREES CLOCKWISE AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN I LOOKED AT MY WIFE FOR AN INSTANT WHEN HER AIRBAG WENT OFF CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY MY AIR BAG. (2) THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS RESULTED IN SEAT BELT RELATED STRAINS AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIES FOR MY WIFE. I RECEIVED A BRUISE ON THE CHEST. (3) SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SOLD THE CAR TO A USED AUTO PARTS YARD. I WAS ABLE TO TRACK IT DOWN AND I BOUGHT THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT WAS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. I WITNESSED THE REMOVAL. I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT CONTACTING CHEVROLET. *JB

PROBLEMS TO GET GEAR IN - DELAYED WITH SOME NOISE. A DAY LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE PLANETARY SYSTEM BROKE - AFTER ONLY 44000 MILES. RANSMISSION TYPE 4T65E. REPAIR WAS NECESSARY - COSTS $2300. *AK

DIRECTIONAL TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE ATTENTION OF MY MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS DONE APPROX 6-8 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS COST APPROX $150. THE ENTIRE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. RECENTLY A COIN FROM THE ASHTRAY ENDED UP IN THE LIGHTER SOCKET. THE LIGHTER AND THE POWER SEATS STOPPED WORKING. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER SEAT CIRCUIT BREAKER. HOWEVER, THE FUSE TO THE LIGHTER HAD NOT SHORTED OUT. INSTEAD, HE SAID, IT MELTED A WIRE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET. THE COST TO REPAIR IT WAS ABOUT $200.00. THE 2004 MODEL HAS A SEPARATE SECTION IN THE ASHTRAY BLOCKED FROM THE SOCKET SO THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN ON THE NEWER MODEL. I ASSUME THE ENGINEERING CHANGE WAS MADE BECAUSE MY PROBLEM HAPPENED BEFORE, AND THAT CHANGE WAS MADE TO REDUCE THOSE INSTANCES. I WOULD HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM IF THE FUSE HAD BLOWN WHICH IT DID NOT. I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE FUSE BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE MELTED WIRE MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. I PAID FOR A NEW CIRCUIT BREAKER, AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE LIGHTER BECAUSE OF THE ENGINEERING OMISSION ON THE EARLIER MODEL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 WEEK IT JUST WILL NOT START. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR. IN THE WINTER YOU CAN TURN THE KEY NOTHING HAPPENS BUT ON THE FLIP BACK IT WILL START,. NOW THIS SUMMER IT JUST WON'T START AND I STILL HAVE ELECTRIC. THEN SOMETIMES IT WILL GO INTO A VERY HIGH IDLE AND I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT TO FIX IT. WHAT DO I DO? *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE TWO GM CARS BOTH 2001 MY GRAND AM I JUST CHANGED THE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE HEAD GASKETS, NOW MY IMPALA ALSO NEEDS THE SAME GASKETS CHANGED MAYBE THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS DEFECT. I DO NOT THINK THAT IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THESE GASKETS AFTER FOUR YEARS. MY GRAND AM WAS COVERED MY IMPALA IS NOT. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS? PLEASE RESPOND. *NM

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED LIT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD/GASKET ON THIS VEHICLE HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS OVERHEATING WHEN IDLE. NO HEAT WAS BEING GENERATED. COST TO REPAIR HAS BEEN QUOTED AS $580. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES, GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS ANY KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM, DUE TO POOR-QUALITY INTAKE MANIFOLD/GASKETS BEING USED ON THESE VEHICLES. *NM

(1) COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, TEMP GAUGE NOT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLING FANS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY (2) IMPROPER ENGINE OPERATION, ROADSIDE STOPPAGE (3) RESET CONNECTION ON COOLANT SENSOR , SYSTEM RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. I'M NOT SURE THERE WAS ANY CORRELATION WITH THE SENSOR CONNECTION. THE COMPUTER RESET ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND ALL CONDITIONS RETURNED TO NORMAL.*AK

CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING - DEALER INDICATED CAUSE WAS FROM INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, BUT TOLD NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE FOR SOME TIME. THEN, WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SEAL.*AK

THE SEAT WARMER IN MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA OVERHEATED CAUSING 3 LARGE(QUARTER SIZED) BLISTERING BURNS ON MY BACKSIDE. I TURNED IT OFF UPON FEELING THE BURNING, AND LATER IT DID NOT TURN ON AT ALL. MY CHEVY DEALER FIXED THE SEAT WARMERS AND THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. 18 DAYS LATER THE BLISTERS ARE STILL HEALING. *JB

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A POSSIBLE DEFECT WITH GM/CHEVROLET'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR BODY CONTROL MODULE, WHICH DISABLES MY CAR'S DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS (E.G., BLINKERS). I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD ME IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM), WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THE BCM WITH A NEW ONE, BUT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS STILL DO NOT WORK.*AK

CLUNKING FROM FRONT STEERING AND THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. GM HAS SERVICE BULLETIN ID#1539408 (#04-02-35-004B (JUL 27,2004)) THAT DESCRIBES FAILURE. GM HAS REFUSED REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

THE ENGINE COOLANT LOW LEVEL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER FILLED THE COOLANT, AND THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN A LEAK. *AK *NM

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEM BUT WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE STEERING SHAFT WAS TAKEN OUT AN GREASED. TIE RODS WENT BAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

A CLANKING/GROWLING NOISE WAS HEATD WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THEN 41,000 MILES OF WEAR. *NM THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER, BUT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL LETTER. THE LETTER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BEING REPLACED DUE TO THE END CONE INSULATION BREAKING AWAY AND BLOCKING THE FRONT OF THE FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND PREVENTING THE FREE FLOW OF THE GAS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 SEPARATE TRANSMISSION MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND NOT TRANSMISSION.*AK

MANIFOLD AND PUMP GASKET LEAKED. *NM THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. *TC *JB

1. INITIAL MINOR THEN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, LEADING TO BREAKDOWN ON HIGHWAY OF 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 3.4 LITER V-6. SECOND PART: LOSS OF REAR PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL.*AK 2. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECTIVE, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK AND BROWN SLUDGE OBSERVED ON RADIATOR CAP. HAD TO ADD COOLANT AND LOST USE OF VEHICLE. SECOND PART: LOSS OF REAR PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT AND HAZARD FLASHER AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (GM PART 88964580) - LED TO RECIEVING WRITTEN CITATION OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. 3. REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD, DEX-COOL COOLANT, O-RING (PART 10477565), THERMOSTAT, OIL (TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE COOLANT THAT LEAKED INTO OIL PASSED FAILED GASKET). CONTACT FOR OLD PART AVAILABILITY. REPLACED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (GM PART 88964580)

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEEL SENSORS STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING ABS FAILURE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL SENSORS, RESET THE CODES, REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY, AND RESURFACED ALL FOUR ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SEEMED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLANKING NOISE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 04-02-35-0048 DEALT WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED *AK.

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE KEPT SEEING PUDDLES OF ANTI-FREEZE UNDER HER VEHICLE. SHE SAID SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER AN EXAMINATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE, SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AROUND THE MANIFOLD. SHE STATES THIS VEHICLE IS MUCH TOO NEW FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *JB

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE HAS TO SIT FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. *TC

WHILE RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THE WINDOWS IN THE UP POSITION, THE ENTIRE GLASS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL INSIDE THE DOOR. TOOK CAR TO BE REPAIRED AND DISCORVERED THE REGULATOR HAD BROKEN.

HAVE A CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A INTAKE GASKET LEAK. IT IS SO BAD IT MAKES MY YOUNG CHILDREN PHYSICALLY SICK. THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE DECIDED TO ONLY WORK ONCE IN A WHILE AND THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS (OURS IS A 4 DOOR) ARE STICKING - TRAPPING US INSIDE OR KEEPING US LOCKED OUT. OUR TRUNK WONT OPEN AT ALL! *AK

A POPPING CAN BE HEARD AND FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, APPLYING AND RELEASING BRAKES, AND WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING THE ENGINE. CONDITION STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES, VEHICLE NOW HAS 51,500 MILES AND CONDITION HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN.*AK

WHEN PARKING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA, AN AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE GM DEALERSHIP IN NEW RICHMOND WI, REPLACED AN AIRBAG MODULE IN OCTOBER. A FEW WEEKS LATER I NOTICED ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY CAR, THAT BEING THE AIRBAG MODULE THAT WAS CHANGED. SO I BROUGHT IN THE RECALL INFORMATION TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY VIN DOESN'T SHOW UP AS BEING PART OF THE RECALL, SO THEY COULDN'T HELP. BUT THEY SAID I COULD CALL UP GM. SO I CALLED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-1020. THEY ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. *AK WITH HAVING THE RIGHT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, AND REPLACING THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED, I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN APART OF THE RECALL. CAN YOU HELP? JOEL HETZEL

PURCHASE - MAY 2003 TRANSMISSION - MAY 2003 TRANSMISSION (ELECTRICAL WIRE) OCTOBER 2003 THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN IRREGULAR. ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HESITANT TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. FEBRUARY 2004 - NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE CAR ALTHOUGH IT CONTINUED TO RUN IMPROPERLY. SEPTEMBER 2004 - CATALYTIC CONVERTER OCTOBER 2004 - UNDIAGNOSED DUE TO CHEVY'S REFUSAL TO DIAGNOSIS THE CAR FOR FREE AFTER JUST REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SIX (6) DAYS AGO. *NM

CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2002 WITH 33000 ON IT. ONE MONTH LATER, A POPPING/CLICKING SOUND BEGAN IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY WHEN IN TURNING MOTIONS. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, TOLD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED LUBRICATION. REPLACEMENT NOT RECOMMENDED. WARRANTY COVERED. TWO YEARS LATER, PROBLEM CAME BACK, ALBEIT FAR MORE SEVERE THIS TIME. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS COMING APART AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND CHEVROLET WOULD NOT COVER. WENT AHEAD WITH REPAIR ANYWAY BECAUSE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED BY THE PROBLEM! HAVE SUBMITTED FORMAL COMPLAINT TO CHEVROLET OF THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. AM HOPING CHEVROLET WILL CORRECT THIS DESIGN FLAW.*AK

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD ON MY TRUCK. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE EGR VALVE RETURNED HOT GASES INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE HOT GASES BURNED A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE. MY LOCAL GARAGE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I HAD MY LOCAL GARAGE TAKE THE CAR TO OUR CHEVROLET GARAGE. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THE CONVERTER AND REPLACED IT UNDER FEDERAL WARRANTY. I REPORTED THIS TO GM. BOTH GARAGE AGREED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MANIFOLD. I BELIEVE THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY FACTOR." *JB *SC

2001 CHEV IMPALA --TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 40,000 MILES DUE TO A PRESSURE PUMP BEING BAD. IS THIS THE CAUSE TO MANY REPORTED ROLL BACKS ? DID GM PUT INFERIOR PUMPS IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS TO CUT COSTS AND AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE ?*AK

WANT TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISEY, POORLY LUBRICATED STEERING COUPLING SHAFT, ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I HAVE READ THE GM BULLITTEN, BUT FEEL THIS IS GOING TO BE A POTENTIAL SAFEY CONCERN. MANY OWNERS WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PERFORMED, AND AS THE STEERING SHAFT WEARS FROM THE LACK OF LUBE, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE SHAFTS WILL BEGIN TO BIND, AS ALL OTHER ROTATING SHAFTS WITH LACK OF LUBRICATION, EVENTUALLY DO. THIS LUBRICATION IS NOT LISTED AS A RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. I, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS, FEEL THIS CONCERN SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO CHARGE, EITHER THROUGH A RECALL, OR GOODWILL POLICY ADJUSTMENT. WHY WOULD GM WANT TO WAIT UNTILL THESE SHAFTS BIND, OR BREAK, BEFORE DOING SOMETHING?*AK

1) THERE'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ON MOST W,J, AND G PLATFORM GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES. IN AS LITTLE AS 15-20K MILES, THE STEERING WILL GET SLOPPY AND WILL "KLUNK" ON LOW SPEED STEERING MANEUVERS, AND WILL ALSO "KLUNK" ON ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. ) IN SOME CASES, THE STEERING SHAFT WILL BIND UP OR BREAK, RESULTING IN STEERING FAILURE. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS HAPPENING IN POLICE EQUIPPED IMPALA VEHICLES. 3) IN MY CASE, THE DEALERSHIP "LUBED" THE STEERING SHAFT. RATHER THAN REPLACE THE FAULTY PART, GM ADVICES TO INJECT A SYRINGE OF GREASE INTO THE YOKE OF THE SHAFT, AND PLACE THE PART BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. 10-15K MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNS. I'VE TWICE HAD MY STEERING SHAFT LUBED FOR THIS PROBLEM. GM HAS JUST RECENTLY DEVELOPED A REDESIGNED PART, BUT AVAILABILITY IS SEVERELY LIMITED, AND THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE OWNER IF OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD (3YEAR/36000 MILES. *AK

ON 9-14-04 AND 9-21-05 WE HAD TO HAVE OUR HAZARD FLASHER REPLACED TWICE AS IT NO LONGER PERFORMED INTENDED FUNCTION. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE--2001 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 45,000 MILES--BASICALLY NO ADVANCE NOTICE--STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR AND TRANSMISSION TOOK AWHILE TO ENGAGE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. HAPPENED AGAIN AT THE NEXT TWO (2) LIGHTS. GOT CAR HOME INTENDING TO TAKE TO DEALER IN MORNING. BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE--WENT 5 FT AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FURTHER. PULLED FORWARD AND ABLE TO PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY. MANAGED TO GET TO DEALER. GOING TO TEARDOWN TRANSMISSION TOMORROW. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE WITH 45,000 MILES---90,000 MAYBE, 45,000 NO. THIS IS MY 3RD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH A GM PRODUCT SINCE 1980. LIKE THEIR STYLING BUT DON'T KNOW IF I CAN CONTINUE TO PURCHASE THEIR PRODUCTS.*AK