2007 Chevrolet Impala Complaint Log

THIS IS A REQUEST IN ORDER THAT THE DOT WILL BEGIN (SUGGESTION) FOR MONTHLY US INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE DEFECTS AND RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCIES ON ALL POLICE FORD AND CHEVROLET VEHICLES. THIS REQUEST IS FOR MONTHLY INSPECTIONS ON MOTORCYCLES AND AMBULANCE VEHICLES (BY US DOT) AND FIRE VEHICLES TO HELP PROMOTE SAFETY OF MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLISTS. THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT MOST CITY, COUNTY, STATE POLICE TYPE VEHICLES ARE 2007 OR 2008. *TR

2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA - 2 MAJOR SAFETY COMPLAINTS. FIRST, THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WERE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE DUE TO THEIR SMALL SIZE AND SHAPE. SECONDLY, WHEN THE SUN CAME THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY THE CHROME WORK AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT REFLECTED VERY BRIGHTLY IN THE DRIVER'S FACE, THUS EFFECTIVELY BLINDING THE DRIVER. THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. *AK

ON CHEVROLET 2007 IMPALA LTZ PASSENGER AUTOMATIC AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT TURN AIR BAG CONTROL ON WHEN MY WIFE WHO WAS 5'4" TALL AND WEIGHED 92 LBS OCCUPIED THE SEAT. I HAD THE CAR EVALUATED BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL SENSORS WERE WORKING ACCORDING TO DESIGN. THIS MEANT THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF TURNING THE AIR BAG TO FUNCTION AS INTENDED SINCE THIS WAS A WEIGHT SENSITIVE CONTROL. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. *AK

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON, FEW SECONDS LATER ENGINE STALLED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CALLED ON STAR SVC ADVISOR PERFORMED ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC TEST, RESULTS INDICATED FAILURE IN THROTTLE SYSTEM/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. ADVISOR ATTEMPTED FIELD REPAIR CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES AND I ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE. IT WOULD NOT START. BURNING SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE, OPENED HOOD- AIR BOX SMOKING. INFORMED ON STAR I AM DISCONNECTING BATTERY. ON STAR ADVISOR CALL ON MY CELL PHONE, AND TOLD ME TOW TRUCK WAS COMING. WHILE AWAITING TOW TRUCK SMOKE BECAME MORE INTENSE FROM AIR FILTER. OPENED THE AIR BOX AND FOUND MASS AIR FLOW CENTER BURNING. REMOVED AIR FILTER AND DISCOUNTED DUCT WORK TO PREVENT FIRE FROM SPREADING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPT. WAS CLOSED AND SALESMAN OPEN SHOP TO ALLOW CAR TO BE STORED INSIDE. EXCHANGED PHONE NUMBERS. RECEIVED CALL 4/2/07 AND WAS ADVISED FOREIGN OBJECT (POSSIBLY A CIGARETTE) WAS INGESTED INTO FILTER WHICH CAUSED FIRE. AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SERVICE MANAGER I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AGENT SINCE I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. AFTER INSPECTION BY MY INSURANCE CO. WHO CONSULTED WITH A FIRE INVESTIGATION/ADJUSTER, IN HIS EXPERT OPINION, THE FIRE BEGAN AT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND WORKED IT'S WAY OUT. THE INVESTIGATOR FEELS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A CIGARETTE TO BE THROWN FROM A MOVING VEHICLE, REMAIN LIT, AND WORKS IT'S WAY UP A 2.5" OPENING INSIDE A FENDER OF A MOVING CAR. PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION ARE AVAILABLE INCIDENT A FULL REPORT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS TO GM, THEY REFUSED TO COVER ANY REPAIRS OR CONSIDER THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME AS THEY FEEL THIS WAS A REPAIR INCURRED BY A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RADIO BECAME NON-OPERATIONAL, NO DISPLAY, NO SOUND, NO ON-STAR, NO PHONE. CAR SHUT OFF IN DRIVEWAY, CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. THEY TESTED, RADIO CAME ON FOR 5 MINS. THEN SHUT OFF. THEY FOUND A BATTERY CELL WAS BAD AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. AT 22K MI.POWER PASSENGER SEAT WAS MAKING LOUD NOISE, LUMBAR SUPPORT BROKEN. AT 39K MI. TIMING COVER SEAL WAS LEAKING,REPLACED TIMING COVER AND FRONT PASS.SEATBELT BROKE.AT 44K MI.COULD NOT TAKE OUT OF PARK. FAULTY ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED.AT 45K MI. AT 50K COMPRESSOR CLUTCH CAME APART REQUIRED REPLACMENT.TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING ON FWY, NO POWER.INPUT SPRAGUE FAILURE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR,THEY STATED THEY FIXED TRANS. BUT 1474 MI. LATER CAR WENT IN FOR COMPLETE TRANS.OVERHAUL AT 46699 MI AT 62K.MI COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. SHIFT CONTROL SOLENOID BROKE. AGAIN AT 75K.MI. COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. SHIFT CONTROL SOLENOID WIRES BROKE..ACTUATOR X2 PROB. REPLACED ONCE. BROKEN AGAIN, CONTROLS INTERNAL AIR COND. AT 78K. STEERING GEAR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR

140 MPH SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE READ PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. EVEN WITH NEW GLASSES THIS GAGE IS FOR KILOMETERS ONLY. WE NEED A NEW DIAL THAT SHOWS MPH READABLE TO 2 1/2 MPH. THERE IS NO REASON IN THIS USA TO HAVE A SPEEDOMETER TO GO TO 140 MPH. 2 TIMES THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT IN THE USA. WHEN SPENDING $25,000 ON THIS NEW CHEVY IMPALA, ONE WOULD NOT EVEN THINK THAT GM IS SO CHEAP TO SAME MONEY ON THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ONLY HAVE NUMBERS OF SPEED AT 20 MPH WHEN THE POLICE GIVE OUT TICKETS FOR 5 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DOWN A HILL THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES TO DECREASE THE SPEED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE SERVICE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A GROOVING PROBLEM IN THE ROTORS. THE DEALER INSTALLED NEW ROTORS DUE TO THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONTACT A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LOANER VEHICLE THAT HAD THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,100. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES FIXED, VEHICLE SEEMS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME. UPDATE 4/23/07*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT. THE TURN SIGNAL WAS SILENT WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT'S EYES MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO VIEW THE DASHBOARD. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY AND THE ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 800.*AK THE CONSUMER COULD NOT HEAR THE SOUND COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2007 AND IS USED AS A COMMUTER CAR FROM NEW OXFORD, PA TO WASHINGTON, DC DAILY. I AVERAGE 750 MILES PER WEEK. LAST FALL WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS FIRST WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING OFF SPEED AND NOT RESETTING. THIS QUICKLY ADVANCED TO A SHUTTERING FEEL WHEN ACCELERATING AND OCCASIONALLY PICKING UP SPEED AND WITHIN 50 MILES THE CAR REFUSED TO MOVE AFTER A STOP LIGHT. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND AFTER PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, MANAGED TO GET IT TO A NEARBY FORMER CHEVY DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS TOTALLY SLIPPING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. CHEVY STOOD BY THE 100K POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY WITH A NO-COST REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ISSUING A 12,000 MI WARRANTY. TODAY, AT 111,000 MILES, LESS THAN 20,000 INTO THE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ON FLAT GROUND AND I WAS SIMPLY A STALLED NUISANCE IN TRAFFIC. THIS TIME, I WAS GOING UP A HILL AND HAD STOPPED FOR A LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACK DOWN THE HILL, I HAD DIFFICULTY BRAKING AND NEARLY GOT STRUCK BY A LARGE TRUCK. IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN WITH A THUDS AND JERKS I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. THIS TIME I DID NOT HAVE THE DIFFICULTY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT DID HAVE A BIT OF WHAT I NOW RECOGNIZE WAS TRANSMISSION SLIP BUT I ATTRIBUTED TO THE ANTI-SLIP BRAKES ON ICE. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. FROM THE EARLY SHUDDERS, LESS THAN 400 MILES ELAPSED. I WAS FORTUNATE BOTH TIMES. *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM WALLY MCCARTHY'S IN MINNESOTA ON 12/21/07. ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008, THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE COLLISION WHEN OTHER DRIVER FAILED TO STOP. ON STAR WAS ALERTED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOWED THAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND PRETENSIONER BELTS FAILED CAUSING PERMANENT INJURIES. WALLY MCCARTHY REFUSES TO SPEAK WITH US AND GM OFFERS NOTHING IN RESOLVING CASE AS OF 2/17/09. SEE CNN IREPORT FOR PHOTOS UNDER "CHEVY IMPALA". *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT 15 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES ,AND THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 5,600, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. *AK THE DEALER STATED HAD TO PERFORM ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC AND VERIFIED AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS ON, THE DEALER REPAIRED BOTH DEFECTS. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS TO BE EITHER REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS AND OR NEW VEHICLE AND OR BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS ALSO A PORLBME WITH THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP. UPDATED 05/22/07*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THEY TURNED THE ROTORS DOWN, HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 3,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

THE BRAKE LINKAGE ON MY 2007 CHEVY IMPALA DISCONNECTED I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A DUMP TRUCK BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKES. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 3800 MILES AND HIS BREAK LINKAGE FAILED. ON 1-11-07 THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BREAKS THEY FAILED AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY, BUT HE STILL WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HE HIT THE VEHICLE THE CAR KEEP GOING AND AS HE CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BREAKS THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE USED THE EMERGENCY BREAK. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SEEN AND MADE A REPORT AND THE CONTACT TOLD THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHAT HAPPENED, HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND TOLD HIM THAT THE BREAK PEDAL LINKAGE WAS DISCONNECTED.

BACK END OF 2007 CHEVY IMPALA SLIPS ON WATER AND SNOW, FEELS LIKE I'M ON AN ICE RINK. NEVER FELT THIS IN THE 32 YEARS DRIVING CARS. THE TIRES WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND CAMBER LOOKS WAY OFF. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 7800 MILES ON IT. IN JANUARY, MY SERVICE TPMS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASH. IT WOULD GO OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I ALSO NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY AND REMOTE START DID NOT WORK MORE THAN 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (GRAFF CHEVROLET) AND THEY INFORMED ME OF AN ANTENNA THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT CHECK TO SEE IF THE TMPS SENSOR IN THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE LIKE I ASKED THEM TO. THEY SAID THE NEW UNRELEASED PART SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. THE LEFT REAR SENSOR WOULD ALWAYS TRIGGER THE WARNING LIGHT, BUT THE TIRE IS PROPERLY INFLATED. NOT BEING ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS MAKING ME THINK THAT I HAVE A FLAT TIRE ON MY CAR EVERY TIME THE LIGHT GOES ON. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 3800 MILES AND HAS HAD COMPUTER FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR DOSE NOT WORK, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY STAYS ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER (GRAFF CHEVROLET ) THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR ON OVER HALF OF THEIR NEW IMPALAS DON'T WORK PROPERLY; AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LOST ITS CODING, BUT THEY DID REINSTALL A NEW CODE.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT, 3.9 L, V6, 4 DOOR. THE CUP HOLDER WAS NOT MADE PROPERLY WHICH COULD CAUSE SPILLAGE OF COLD/HOT ON A PERSON. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD NOT SPEAK TO THE ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THE CUP HOLDER. HE THOUGHT ITS WAS POSSIBLE THAT THEY MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM ,AND HE EXPERIENCED THAT PROBLEM WITH A LIQUID SPILLING ON HIM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 950. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN. *AK

1) NEW 2007 CHEVY IMPALA PICKED UP 12/4/2006 WITH 6 MILES ON IT. HEATER WORKED WHEN PICKED UP. 2) DROVE CAR 12/5/2006 ABOUT 30 MILES AND HEATER DID NOT WORK ON FREEWAY NOR DID FAN, VENTS, AC, OR HEAT. 3) PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED YET. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR AFTER MY 30 MILE TRIP THE HEATER CAME ON WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SEEN AGAIN. I DROPPED IT AT A CHEVY DEALER TO EVALUATE. *JB

SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM...4TH TIME AT SHOP...STILL NOT FIXED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE COAX ANTENNA NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 1/07. THE REMOTE START AND REMOTE DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF PERIODICALLY. THE HIGH BEAMS FLICKERED. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEVERE TIRE WEAR WAS CONTRIBUTED TO MISALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE IDENTICAL TIRE. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE REAR DRIVER, FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES HAD BEEN REPLACED AS A RESULT TO THE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH DOWNHILL OR AT ANY INCLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 06/27/11

2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE TO SMALL ON THE 2007 THAT MAKES THIS CAR A SAFETY ISSUE GM HAS OFFER NO HELP**CC *JB

CONSUMER'S 2007 CHEVY IMPALA HAS MANY ISSUES WITH BATTERY, MOTOR MOUNT, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING. ELECTRONIC COMPONENT. *NJ THE CD CHANGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOTOR FAILED AS WELL. *JB