2002 Chevrolet Impala Complaint Log

FAULTY SYSTEM CAUSE ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY DURING A NORMAL START ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE'S MESSAGE INDICATOR WILL FLASH SECURITY/BATTERY/SERVICE VEHICLE SOON DESPITE HAVING A NEW BATTERY AND A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH A CLEAN HISTORY. THE MESSAGES ALWAYS FLASH TOGETHER IN A CYCLE, AND IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SYMPTOMS BELOW: DURING THE ABOVE CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NEITHER CRANK NOR START, OR THE VEHICLE WILL START, WITH THE ABOVE INDICATORS, AND THE RADIO WILL LOCK AS WELL AS THE DISABLING OF THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEAT AND ABILITY TO DEFOG/FROST. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION WHEREBY THE WINDOWS FOG DRAMATICALLY, COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. THE DEFECT HAS ALSO CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME IN CASES WHERE I'VE HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF A HIGHWAY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESTART IT, AND IN ONE INSTANCE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY GRAZED ON MY ARM BY A PASSING CAR AFTER I EXITED MY VEHICLE. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE LINKED IT TO EITHER A FAULTY PASSLOCK SENSOR, FAULTY BCM OR BAD WIRING, ALL OF WHICH I WAS TOLD SHOULD LAST AT LEAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, AS IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED FROM IT'S ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER DAMAGING CIRCUMSTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO FOLLOWED ITS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TO A T. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT (SEVERAL TIMES DAILY AS OF 9 MONTHS AGO) SINCE THE INITIAL DATE OF INCIDENCE, BUT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS, AND UNCERTAINTY FROM REPRESENTATIVES AT SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS, I HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY USING OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION UNTIL I CAN COVER WHAT WILL BE AN EXORBITANT COST TO REPAIR. *TR

CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. BATTERY IS FINE. LIGHTS WORK, LOCKS WORK, ETC. BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE REALIZED IT WAS NOT BATTERY. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY AGAIN TO START CAR. USUALLY STARTS AFTER 10 MINUTE WAIT. IF NOT, HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON AT TIMES AND THEN GOES OFF. *TR

AT RANDOM TIMES, THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED. THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM MOTOR AT ALL. THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL FLASH ON THE INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AFTER WAITING 10-20 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING AT RANDOM TIMES EVER SINCE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FAN FOR THE HVAC SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK AT TIMES AND THE SECURITY LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS WILL APPEAR ON THE INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAY AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR

SECURITY ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO START THE ENGINE. SECURITY ERROR WILL FLASH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START UP THE ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER TO ALL SYSTEMS. THE ONLY FIX APPEARED TO BE TO WAIT 20-30 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. AREA SHOPS ADMIT KNOWLEDGE OF DEFECT,. SOME BLAME THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED AT PERSONAL COST AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. SOME TECHNICIANS CLAIMED THAT GM HAS NOT YET FIGURED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AM WA S AWARE OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SILVERADO TRUCKS AS WELL. AM A LIFETIME OWNER OF GM VEHICLES, BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST UNLESS AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION WAS FOUND. *AK FOUND.

INITIALLY STARTED WITH THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER. FULL BATTERY POWER, PUT CAR IN N TO START, NOTHING. PUT CAR IN EMERGENCY PARK TO START AND IT DID. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, WITH NO WARNING. NOW THE CAR STARTS EVERY TIME. THE PROBLEM NOW IS INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH LIKE STROBE LIGHTS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR TILL THE TIME I TURN IT OFF, SO I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT PASS LOCK ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND WILL BLOW HOT AIR. A CONSTANT CLICKING FROM THE RELAYS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. WHY IS IT MANY GM DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THIS WHEN CONSUMERS HAVE BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR ASSESSMENT. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR MORE OF THE SAME ISSUE. FELLOW IMPALA OWNERS; LETS FILE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAIN GM TO GET THIS RESOLVED. BUT SADLY IT WILL TAKE ONE DEATH OR MORE FOR ANY ACTION FROM GM. "THE AMERICAN WAY IS LETS DO SOMETHING AFTER THE FACT AND NOT BE PROACTIVE TO PREVENT". *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PASS LOCK FAILURE, WHICH IS A SECURITY ISSUE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE THINKS IT IS BEING STOLEN AND WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 06/24/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEAST CHEVROLET COULD IS FIX THE PROBLEM IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL. UPDATED 06/26/09. *JB

MY IGNITION COIL (?) BECAME STUCK/FROZEN AND WOULD NOT TURN - THUS THE CAR WOULD NOT START. $700 LATER, I GOT A NEW IGNITION, BUT NOW MY LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK, HALF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH NO LONGER WORK, EQUIPMENT WAS NOT BOLTED DOWN UNDER THE HOOD AND FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, AT LEAST THE WORKMANSHIP COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BETTER. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY CHEVY PRODUCTS THAT I HAVE FOUND ON LINE AND STILL NO RECALL ... I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A FEW PEOPLE DYING BEFORE THIS TURNS INTO ANYTHING LIKE THAT. *TR

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. IT POSES A FIRE HAZARD IF THE CAR IS OVERHEATED WHICH COULD POSE HEALTH THREATS TO THOSE IN THE CAR AND OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 71,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND IS GOOD CONDITION. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL THINGS FIXED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $3,000 FIXING EVERYTHING. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE FACING THESE PROBLEMS AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS AS OF 05-16-08 THE HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. ON 05-18-08 THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FOLLOWING EVENING I ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, NO LOW BEAM. I CAN DRIVE IN LOW LIGHT OR DARK CONDITIONS. LOCAL MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE MULTI SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PART WAS $300-$400 DOLLARS. HE STATED THAT HE HAS HAD MANY IMPALA CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND HE STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME IN FIVE YEARS , THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. WHILE THIS DID NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE DANGER IT COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IF SOMEONE NEEDED TO USE THEIR CAR FOR AN EMERGENCY , AND BECAUSE OF THE PASS LOCK FAILURE ENABLED TO RECEIVE THE HELP THEY NEEDED.*AK

HEADLAMPS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING APPEARED TO HAVE A SHORT IN THEM. HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT AT 55 MPH AND DIMMED THE LIGHTS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT THE FOG LIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. CONTINUOUS FIDDLING WITH SWITCHES FINALLY MADE THEM COME BACK ON. ALSO, LIGHTS WILL NOT ALWAYS COME ON AT NIGHT WITHOUT CONTINUOUS FIDDLING WITH SWITCHES. OCCURS 5 DAYS OUT OF 7 IN EVERY WEEK.*AK

NOTICED BROWNISH COLOR OF COOLANT ON THE 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA, SOME SLUDGE BUILT-UP IN RADIATOR. THIS CAR HAS 59000 MILES ON IT. DEALER REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BE A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. COST OF REPAIRS TO BE $500 PLUS. IT APPEARED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT WAS RELATED TO THE TYPE OF COOLANT GM USED.*AK

AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKED ON FIRST SETTING. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE DOOR THAT CONTROLS WHERE THE AIR WENT WAS NOT WORKING AND WOULD COST $500 TO $600 FOR REPAIRS. SEEMED TO WORK FINE WITH HEAT, BUT NOT WITH AIR. MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR WAS A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE, BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GET TO IT. NO DISCERNIBLE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.*AK

WHILE I LOVE MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA IT HAS TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT ITS SAFETY. FIRST, I HD REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS AND THE LINKAGE HAD BEEN RESET TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAYED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BLOCKING THE VIEW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE REAR BRAKES, WHICH DETERIORATED AND CRUSTED , REQUIRING FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, ETC. THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE IF NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE OWNER AND A RESPONSIBLE MECHANIC. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE DATE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERSWAS LISTED BELOW. THE BRAKES WERE FULLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2007.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNAL ILLUMINATES SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER UNIT AND MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A RECALL DOES NOT EXIST FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I HAVE TWICE HAD TO TAKE MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA TO THE SHOP (RESULTING IN LOST TIME FROM WORK AND UNNECESSARY REPAIR BILLS) BECAUSE THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH THE COOLANT LEVEL IS FULL. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS TWICE FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT, DESPITE HAVING FLUSHED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND INSTALLING A NEW LOW COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR AT A COST OF $165. NOW I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT IT WILL COST AROUND $900 TO FIX IT PROPERLY. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 20,580 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST ATTENDED TO AND NOW STILL HAS ONLY 21,557 MILES. *JB

CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT IT WOULD NOT START. AAA WAS CALLED AND STATED IT WAS THE STARTER. NEXT MORNING, CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATES THAT IT IS ELECTRONIC .AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. DIAGNOSTIC CODES P1626, 1064. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT. STAYS IN UP POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER IMPALAS SIINCE THIS HAS STARTED ON MY VEHICLE.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON 3/15/07 HE NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY FELT SOFT AND DRIFTED TO THE FLOOR. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE GARAGE FLOOR AND NOTICED SPOTS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE A DETERIORATING BRAKE FLUID LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO KEEP ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,995, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 >AK CONSUMER PROVIDED COPY OF PICTURES AND INVOICE. UPDATE *4/23/07 **TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED AND WORN DOWN TO THE POINT THAT ONLY HALF OF THE BRAKE SHOES WERE USED. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS, HE HEARD A NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO FRONT BRAKE SHOES HAD SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE TWO FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BRAKE SHOES WERE ALL REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

PASSLOCK FAILURE NO START. HAS HAPPENED TOTAL OF 8 TIMES IN A LITTLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS. FORTUNATELY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED THE CAR TO START, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN INCONVENIENT WITH A SMALL CHILD WITH ME SEVERAL OF THE TIMES. I DREAD THE OCCASION WHEN IT HAPPENS AND I NEED THE CAR TO START BECAUSE OF SOME EMERGENCY. FROM REVIEW OF WEB FORUMS, GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WOULD BE INDICATED FROM REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. *JB

FAILURE OF DIMMER CONTROL ON 2002 IMPALA. SWITCH BEGAN FEELING HEAVIER TO ACTIVATE, THEN HEADLIGHTS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, INITIALLY ON HIGH BEAM AND THEN ON LOW BEAM. HEADLIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOGGLING THE DIMMER SWITCH WOULD REACTIVATE THE LIGHTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING ON A FAIRLY STRAIGHT ROAD. DEALER INDICATED THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. REVIEW OF INTERNET COMPLAINTS, THIS ISSUE APPEARS COMMON. REPAIR WITH DEALER COST $479. *TR

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS/ 3.8-V6 THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOOK IN TO DEALER, AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, ANOTHER PROBLEM SURFACED.. WE KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND AT THE DEALER..THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY STARTS. WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE DEALER THAT I BROUGHT IT TO SAID HE WAS 80% SURE THAT IT WAS MY BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULES) AND HE WOULD HAVE TO RESET MY RADIO. THE TWO REPAIRS WOULD RUN ME ABOUT $1,200 AND THAT ISN'T EVEN 100% GUARANTEED THAT IT WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHAT A WAY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS.. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEE THE PROBLEM IS QUITE FAMILIAR ON MODELS OF THE SAME PLATFORM.. I'M AT MY WITS END WITH THIS PROBLEM.. THE CAR DOES FINALLY START AFTER SITTING THERE FOR 10 MIN OR SO.. MY ISSUE WITH THIS IS! I'M HAPPY TO PAY IF THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY BUT NON OF THE G.M DEALERS I'VE CONTACTED SEEM TO BE UPFRONT REGARDING THE MATTER, AND I QUOTE "BRING IT IN WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT" THAT'S IT! HOW ABOUT FIXING IT? I REPLY.. "WELL WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT".. THE CAR DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT A LOT OF THE TIME.. USUALLY AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A NEW ONE IT'S HAPPENING A LOT.. I'M SURE A DESIGN FLAW. I'M JUST SCARED OF ANOTHER FIRE. *TR

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY COME BACK ON WHEN YOU ACTIVATE THE HIGH/LOW BEAM LEVER. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURY HAVE OCCURRED. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS QUOTED $400-$600 TO FIX IT. I HAVE ORDERED A BODY CONTROL MODULE TO TRY TO FIX IT MYSELF. *JB

AT AROUND 40,000 MILES OUR 2002 IMPALA HAD BROWN STUFF SIMILAR TO PUDDING IN THE RADIATOR. WE HAVE LEARNED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE THAT GENERAL MOTORS PUTS IN THEIR VEHICLES. AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES THE CAR OVERHEATED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW HEAD GASKETS AT A COST $1300.00 POSSIBLY HIGHER IF THE HEADS ARE DAMAGED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES YET GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. WE HAVE PURCHASED A FORD CAR AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. I HAD BEEN A GM MAN FOR 30 YEARS BUT NOT ANYMORE. *JB

VARIOUS ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO DEX COOL COOLANT SYSTEM. ENGINE REBUILT. GASKETS. ETC NEW PARTS INSTALLED IN EACH INSTANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER. SUDDENLY, THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE PASSLOCK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA I HAVE A 50 / 50 CHANCE OF GETTING THIS JUNK TO START. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS REPLACE THE BCM AND THE IGNITION, BUT JUDGING FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL WHY SPEND THE MONEY IF IT IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SOME ONE SOME WHERE MUST KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, IT CAN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING TO GET IT STARTED IS LEAVE THE KEY ON THE ON POSITION FOR A FULL TEN MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING 3 TIMES. IF YOU TRY AND START IT TO SOON YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER TEN MINUTES, THE GREAT PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS GM WANTS THE GOVERNMENT TO BAIL THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOSING MONEY, I WISH GM WOULD HELP BAIL ME OUT OF THIS PIECE OF JUNK, I'M LOSING MONEY TRYING TO KEEP THIS THING GOING. *TR

ANTILOCKS AND TRACTION ACTIVATION. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP OR GO BECAUSE OF ANTILOCKS AND TRACTION ACTIVATION. ALL THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO REPLACE PARTS AT MY COST. WE TOOK IT TO A SERVICE GARAGE. *TR

STARTED EXPERIENCING ENGINE PULLING/HESITATION, THEN MY ENGINE WOULD IDLE AT 2,000 RPMS AND INCREASE TO 3,000. COME TO FIND THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT KNOWING WHY. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS AND PUT A LITTLE OVER 7,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ALL THE TIME MAKING FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO TURN HEADLIGHTS FROM HIGH TO LOW, TO GET THEM TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

DEAR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO MR. DOUGLASS J HERBERGER, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF SERVICE AND PARTS OPERATION. DEAR MR. HERBERGER, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE CODES FOR THE PASS LOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS AND THE DEALERS AROUND MEMPHIS, TN REFUSE TO GIVE IT TO ME. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO REPROGRAM IT FOR FREE. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A DEALER TO UNLOCK THAT SYSTEM. I'M PAYING FOR AND OWN MY CAR, NOT THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, I WENT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLET TO AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $47.00 FOR THEM TO ENTER AND REPROGRAM THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM, THAT THEY CANNOT DO IT BY HAND. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER $47.00 EVERYTIME I CHANGE OUT MY BATTERY - TO REPROGRAM MY THEFT LOCK SYSTEM? I THOUGHT THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR TO BECOME THE OWNER OF IT. I PAY TAXES ON IT, I PAY MY INSURANCE AND MAINTENANCE FEES. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY A DEALER TO CODES THAT I SHOULD HAVE FREE ACCESS TO. WHY WAS MY CAR DESIGNED TO LOCK ME (THE OWNER) OUT WITHOUT FREE GENERAL ACCESS TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE? I HAVE EXHAUSTED MY ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER OUT OF COURT, HOWEVER, UNLESS THIS MATTER GETS FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO ME, I WILL TAKE IT TO THE LAWFUL LIMIT. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU MR. HERBERGER, NOT THESE NO THINKING THAT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OWNER AND DEALER. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN CLOSING THE HOOD IT PRESSED THE RUBBER ABOVE THE HEADLIGHTS INTO THE TOP OF THE HEADLIGHTS, AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE HEADLIGHTS. THERE WAS ALWAYS WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE DIM AND NOT TO PERFORM AT HIGHEST POTENTIAL. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF OF THE TURN SIGNAL DUE TO THE WATER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BECOMING DIMMER AND DIMMER. *AK UPDATE 4/9 *TR

HAD INTAKE GASKET REPLACED IN FEB. OF 2006 FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE OIL, BECAUSE OF SAID GASKET FAILING (77,000 APPROX. MI.) NOTICED COOLANT LEVEL DROPPING AGAIN IN JAN. 2007 (85,000 MI.) FOUND WHITE/BROWN SLUDGE IN OIL AGAIN!APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND I AM TOLD IT WILL KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL GM CORP. COMES UP WITH A PERMANENT FIX. WHY ARE THEY NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS? I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS NO END IN SIGHT. I LIKE MY CAR BUT IF GM WON'T ADDRESS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAWS I'LL HAVE TO BUY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE. *JB

MY CHEVY'S PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS STUCK ON AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I MUST TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. *JB

DASH INDICATOR FOR AIRBAG STAYS ON. DEALER SAYS COMPUTER MODULE CONTROLLING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO DIAGNOSTICS. DEALER SAYS THAT CONTROL UNIT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $557 PARTS AND LABOR. GM WILL ONLY PAY FOR PART, LEAVING CONSUMER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR $225. *JB

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE THAT INVOLVES THE PASSLOCK IGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE WITH NO-START. I PURCHASED THE 2002 CHEVY IMPALA FROM A DEALER USED WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I STARTED HAVING THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER KEPT PUTTING IT ON DIAGNOSTICS AND CHARGING ME FOR ITEMS THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I NOW, THROUGH RESEARCH, HAVE DISCOVERED THE GM DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM THEY WILL NOT RECALL AND I AM A SINGLE WOMAN IN HER LATE 50'S THAT LIVES ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A NEW VEHICLE. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DEALERS AND THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A HONEST SOLUTION THAT WILL NOT REQUIRE ALMOST $1,000 REPLACEMENT ON THE IGNITION AND PASSLOCK SENSOR. I AM VERY ANGRY AND SITTING WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT GO ANYWHERE WITH THAT I PAID TOO MUCH FOR BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT AND NO ONE WILL HELP. I AM HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS AND I WANT HELP TO MAKE THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS VERY MOMENTARY (JUST A FEW SECONDS AND THEY AGAIN CAME ON AND FUNCTIONED OK). NONE-THE-LESS IT CAUSED A RAPID APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. SECOND TIME, APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS OR SO LATER, SAME HAPPENING AND RAPID STOP CAUSED AND PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. AGAIN THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE OF TIME PASSED. THIRD TIME, APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS LATER, SAME HAPPENING ONLY LIGHTS REMAINED OUT. WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH AND THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $345. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CAB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE AND THE CONNECTOR FROM THE GAS TANK WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL HOSE AT THE RAIL WOULD NOT SEAL AT THE FITTING FORM WHICH CAUSED RAW FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO START HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PATH LOCK SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT HOWEVER APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS LATE THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PATH LOCK SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATE SIX MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PATH LOCK SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF APRIL 21, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN HIGH BEAMS TURNED ON! *JB

THE FOLLOWING MATTER IS A POTENTIAL DISASTER WAITING TO OCCUR. I HAVE INFORMED GM BY MAIL AND TELEPHONE. I HAVE WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALER ONLY TO COME OUT WITH MY KEY FIVE HAND HELD TRANSMITTER TO STOP WORKING. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR. T THE SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE VEHICLE AT RANDOM TIMES AUTOMATICALLY. CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS: SECURITY LIGHT ON MESSAGE CENTER CONTINUES TO FLASH SECURITY SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, - BATTERY THE SECURITY SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY, CONTINUOUSLY ATTEMPTS TO SHUT DOWN MY CAR THIS SECURITY SYSTEM ALSO UNLOCKS MY TRUNK THE HANDHELD TRANSMITTER DOES NOT WORK AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY AFTER THE CHEVY DEALER CHECKED THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY THE LIGHTS FLASH AND THE MESSAGE ON THE RADIO PANEL SAYS LOCKED I CANNOT USE MY CAR, IT WILL NOT START - ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON - ALL LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING , THIS FAULTY "PASS LOCK THEFT DETERRENT" SYSTEM, AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND SHUTS MY CAR DOWN WHEN I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT WILL NOT TURN ON AGAIN, ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED TODAY AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THE RESULTS WAS," REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE AT $325.00, FIRST, THEN I CAN PROGRAM THE KEY FIVE TRANSMITTER." REPLACED TRANSMITTER BATTERY AND CAR BATTERY I CONCLUDE THAT GM HAS THE MONOPOLY ON VEHICLE PARTS AND SERVICE ALL IN THE NAME OF TECHNOLOGY AND COST THE CONSUMER A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF REPAIRS ON TOP OF THE COST FOR THE VEHICLE. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR AT ANY SHOP IN TOWN. FOR INSTANCE, I CAN TAKE MY TRANSMISSION ISSUES TO ALMOST ANY TRANSMISSION SHOP, HOWEVER, I CANNOT TAKE MY MANUFACTURER BUILT- IN SECURITY SYSTEM TO ANY SHOP. THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT JUST BECAUSE IT IS MANUFACTURER BUILT. I WANT THE LAWS CHANGED. *JB

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FLICKING THE HIGH-BEAM SWITCH RESTORED THE LIGHTS. I JUST LOOKED IN THE ODI DATABASE & DISCOVERED A CLOSED INVESTIGATION (PE06017). IT WAS PITCH DARK & RAINING OUTSIDE, LUCKILY I WAS IN A RURAL AREA & NO OTHER CARS AROUND. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I'M GLAD TO KNOW YOU CAN RESTORE LIGHTS BY MANIPULATING THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BUT WHAT IF THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW TO DO THIS! A RECALL IS REALLY IN ORDER, IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO ALERT PEOPLE TO THE POTENTIAL RISK SO THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENS. *NM

COOLING SYSTEM LEAK LOW COOLANT WARNING--INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AT 25,461 MILES (AUGUST 2002) LOW COOLANT WARNING--WATER PUMP AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AT 60,045 MILES AGAIN. *JB

2002 IMPALA WIPERS WILL NOT RETURN TO PARK POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. NORMAL OPERATION IS OK. WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF THEY STAY IN THE FULL UPPER MOST POSITION, CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *NM

AT 89,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN ONE NIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE COOLANT. I FILLED IT AND WAITED UNTIL THE CAR COOLED. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. WHEN I TOWED IT TO A GARAGE I LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING WATER INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I PAID THE GARAGE TO PUT IN A USED MOTOR. IT COST ME OVER $1300. I NEVER THOUGHT TO CONTACT CHEVY SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW, BECAUSE OF MY INTERNET RESEARCH, I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME I ALSO BOUGHT A SECOND CHEVY IN 2002. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT - MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT 62,000 MILES. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET BY WITH REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET. THE SAME GARAGE GAVE ME A PRICE BREAK AND FIXED IT FOR $252.00. BOO TO CHEVY. *NM

2002 CHEVY IMPALA HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. TAIL LIGHTS ARE OK. MANUAL SWITCH DOES NOTHING. BOTH TIMES THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK, A COUPLE DAYS LATER EVERYTHING WAS OK. *NM

IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT, AND IT TAKES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO SWITCH FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM. THERE IS NO PROBLEM GOING FROM HIGH TO LOW. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A CLANKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED A LACK OF LUBRICATION, HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LOW STEERING SHAFT, BUSHES AND LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE NOISE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY CREATED BY THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED.