7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$490
Average Mileage:
47,450 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replacing all rotors & pads (10 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. replaced rear rotors and pads (2 reports)
  4. rebuilt master brake cylinder (1 reports)
  5. replace one warped rotor and resurface the others (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #16

Apr 012009

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Ive read many complaints of impalas having a shuttering when vehicle is breaking at high speeds around 50mph. 2002 impala base model with 3.4 liter began doing this around 90000. I took it to a mechanic and he said the brakes needed replacing so i let les schawb do this. well they turned the front rotors and problem came back in 10000 miles. i just fixed the solotion myself. at 128000 miles. the prob is you cant use oem brake rotors...they are crap. they are cheaply made and heat up and warp, that is what causes the vehicle to shutter at breaking. installed new aftermarket durolast gold rotors in front with durolast pads. the prob is gone. it cost 150 dollars to fix a prob that the morons at the shops didnt know or didnt bother to tell me. if you want something done right then do it urself. i just replaced the front rotors and pads. 1.5 hrs of time mostly spent trying to loosen the bolts that les schwab over tightened.

- impala2002, Coeur D Alene, ID, US

problem #15

Aug 012004

Impala LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

There is something not right with the rotors on these cars. I've read others' similar complaints, and I've had to have the rotors replaced every 2 years and I do not drive the vehicle often. It's a 2002 (it's 2011) and I have 50,000 miles on the car. I'd say every 15,000 the rotors and pads need replacing. Each time they are replaced, I have a nice smooth ride for a few weeks and I can feel the shuddering slowly build up again. I found one place that replaced everything for $200, but I move a lot and have not found such a deal since. This last time was at a dealership and they're doing it for $450.

- Chevy I., Dc, DC, US

problem #14

Apr 112005

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I had to replace pads and roters about every three months . I usualy didnt drive the car much till I swithched with the wife . It bacame my work car . It would warp the rotors about every three months . I went to the dealer they couldnt find the problem . A neighbor had an I dea to check everything . I found a pad missing in the rear from factory it chewed the roter realy bad . I found grease in the emergancy brakes and a missing clip for the pads . This is our US made cars . no wonder people buy imports !!!

Aftyer the third time I found a parts guy who did some resuch and the master was so cheaply made they only checked calibration on every 1000 made so I put a new one on and it seemed to cur most of the problem . Oh yeah the trans is a pile of crap too . Power window swithch , headlight and turn signal swicth , radio ( cant reset the oil light ) interier bulbs and speakers too all before it had 1000,000 on it . Now I want a Honda go figure !

- David B., Tayloreville, IL, US

problem #13

Mar 262009

Impala 3400

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

Every 25,000 kilometers, the car starts shuddering under braking. I'm going to have to replace the front rotors for the second time. While researching the car, I read that the brakes were beefed up to police cruiser standards - I certainly hope not.

- Craig H., London, ON, Canada

problem #12

Feb 012003

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

I had the rotors turned at 2000 miles and the warp was back in 5000 miles. Junk just junk...

- Bob M., Cheney, WA, US

problem #11

Mar 012003

Impala LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

bought the car in 2002 replaced warped rotors every year after. was finally told this year not to use the recommended ceramic ones. replaced in may (non-ceramic) i guess we will wait and see.

- frankltm, Imperial, MO, US

problem #10

Feb 012005

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

Had to have rotors and all four pads replaced. 1 year later had to have new rotors resurfaced and guess what 2 years later car is shaking like crazy again when you apply the brakes.

- Melanie L., Benton, KY, US

problem #9

Apr 242007

(reported on)

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

I'm simply tired of changing my brakes pads and rotors, cost me 500$/year, for 2 years now, simply tired, had my motor head changed, and suspension pieces. I'll keep to car to her death and after, buying a toyota! Now the biggest!

- zoltrix, Laval, QUÉBEC, Canada

problem #8

May 092005

Impala

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I was 5 days out of warranty when my brakes started grinding. The dealership did replace my brakes.

- heyxqzzme, Milwaukee, WI, US

problem #7

Nov 072007

(reported on)

Impala V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

i was driving the car to nc for a funeral all of a sudden when i hit the brakes the car would shake i found out i had warped rotors so when i got back home i took it to the dealer dunn chevy olds in Oregon Ohio . they took it in under warranty and turned the rotors down as far as they would go informing me id need new rotors on my next brake job . well this worked for about a month and guess what . the shake is back . if this is how Chevy does business i think dodge products are looking pretty good from now on

- Garland P., Toledo, OH, US

problem #6

Jul 212007

(reported on)

Impala 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,473 miles

When I first took the car back to the Chevy garage right after I bought it, the warranty probably would have covered it. The technician said I needed the brakes changed and did not mention the rotors. I had the rotors turned 2 times before they said I needed them replaced. This car was bought so when I retired I wouldn't have to worry about getting a new one after retirement. Well, it is costing me a fortune in repairs.

I will never but another Chevy unless they pay me back for all the repairs on the gasket and rotors.

- Charles J., Millsboro, DE, US

problem #5

Jul 192006

(reported on)

Impala LS

  • 62,000 miles

Along with the rear rotors and pads, the front rotors need replacing and the front driver's side hub assembly has to be completely replaced because it comes as a unit. This from a CERTIFIED pre-owned car I bought only a year ago. I purchased a certified preowned so I would not have issues like this less than a year later...

I shifted from Japanese cars back to American figuring that great strides had been made with American cars. I am selling this thing and buying a Toyota!

- earlfo, Middletown, CT, US

problem #4

Aug 182006

(reported on)

Impala

  • 66,000 miles

While the tie rod was being replaced I had the rotors fixed. After they replaced one and resurfaced the others, I about had an accident pulling away from the shop since the brakes wouldn't grab. I still have a hard time stopping. They'll never work good again I fear!

- ramonaia, Webster City, IA, US

problem #3

Mar 292006

(reported on)

Impala

  • 85,000 miles

HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH CAR LESS THAN 1 YR OLD, DEALER SAID COMMMON PROBLEM SANDED ROTORS, PROBLEM AGAIN 12,000 MILE LATER SAME COMMENT FROM DEALER, THIS TIME TURNED THE ROTORS, NEXT TIME IT WASNT THE ROTORS IT WAS THE TIRES, THEY GOT ME TO REPLACE TIRES WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THEM AND PUT ON 480.00 TIRES, PROBLEM A LITTLE BETTER, BUT HAPPENING AGAIN, NOW I NEED NEW ROTORS BECAUSE I LET THEM TURN THEM AND SAND THEM.

- A B., Apopka, FL, US

problem #2

Dec 102005

(reported on)

Impala

  • 24,400 miles

I have been concerned with my cars brakes since I bought it. Everytime I went in to the dealer I asked if the brakes should shudder. I was continually told that this was normal in impala's. Last year I brought it in to have the brakes checked and was told they were good. In april it passed inspection 80% on the brakes they were in good condition, still shuddering though. Now in December... the rotors have completely rusted away and need to be completely replaced. $525 for just the rear rotors and pads. They strung me along until I was 5 mos out of warranty. I am currently filing complaints with all of the appropriate agencies. I have found internet listings that suggest a lot of other people have the same problem. This may be a class action possibility.

- Michael M., Rochester, NH, US

problem #1

Nov 152005

(reported on)

Impala LS

  • 43,000 miles

I have had the rotors resurfaced at the dealer, they tell me this is a common problem that happens often, when brakes are applied the pedal pulsates, and also the car :(

I guess I will have to spend aprox. $ 400 TO HAVE JUST THE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AND NEW PADS... GGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I wonder how many others have this same problem ???

- Bill B., Indianapolis, IN, US