10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 48,993 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the ignition failed to turn to the on position and the steering wheel did not lock while the vehicle was turned off. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Balivia, NC, USA
Mass air flow sensor maf malfunction if corroded or dirty will cause the engine to stall. Engine stalling causes loss of power steering and loss of brakes. Disasterous at freeway speeds, intersections, or in any situation requiring steering or braking. This car maf failed going down a steep mountain road, the driver was able to stop the vehicle using manual brake and had it towed to the dealer for repair.
- Bellevue, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the power steering failed. The contact had to shift into neutral in order to restart the vehicle. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Findlay, OH, USA
This car was one-owner and very well taken care of and serviced routinely. I was driving home from work on the interstate and my car just lost power. I had no control of the car. It slammed into the concrete medium wall on drivers side, then spun around and lodged underneath the trailer of a semi-tractor. The semi hit the brakes and it projected me back across upon the top of the concrete medium where my car just rode to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. My beautiful car was totaled but, by the grace of god and seat belts I am alive. I have a concussion, sprained ankle, cuts, and bruises, but I am here to tell about it. Hopefully, the NHTSA will investigate and save someone else from injury or death. My car is available to inspect.
- Chesapeake, WV, USA
Problem with starting has progress to a problem with the car shutting off during operation. Several times now the car has shut down with no warning and at different speeds. This causes a loss of control with the power steering and power brakes. I have been able to place the transmission in neutral and restart the car while moving. The last time it happened, I was making a right turn and merging into the flow of traffic. I had pressure on the steering wheel while trying to make the curve when I restarted the car. At this point, the power steering kicked in and I found myself swerving from the sudden snatch on the steering. We were lucky that we didn't cause an accident. If my wife had been at the controls I know it would have turn out bad! I see unlimited complains around this item. Do we have to wait on people to get injured or killed before the company is force to be responsible? if this was a foreign car company, the government would have already forced a recall.
- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, a popping noise emitted inside of the vehicle whenever the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for an inspection. The technician stated that the steering column functioned as designed and that there was not a safety issue. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 500. The VIN was unavailable.
- Wilmington, NC, USA
My ABS and service traction control light stays on. When I turn my steering wheel, there's a funny noise and a feeling like my brakes are scrubbing.
- Simpsonville, SC, USA
Purchased vehicle that was fraudulently misrepresented as a safe vehicle to drive on public highways, which turn out to be the opposite. Fear, vehicle is unsafe to drive and could result in a fatality.
- Southington, CT, USA
I got my car on 03/09/2011. I have been complaining to the dealership about the issues I am having with my car. It hesitates to crank, when turning I can feel a popping feeling in the steering. Very often my signal lights doesn't come on. I do a lot of highway driving back and forth to work and this is very dangerous. When hitting my breaks the car sometimes speeds up before slowing down, which can be very dangerous. There is a shortage in the wiring. The low coolant level light stays on, even though they claim they fixed some sensor switch. They also said they fixed my car from leaking brake fluid, but the brakes are sounding worst everyday. I asked them if the brakes needed changing and they said it was fine. The car hesitates when taking off. I just got home from work and not even 30 minutes went by before I tried to leave out and my car would not crank. I have been complaining to the dealership since I got the car and they have procrastinated until the 30 day warranty expired. When calling today the dealership said that I would have to pay for any repairs because the warranty expired. When asking why should I have to pay for repairs, when I have been complaining about these issues since I first got the vehicle, the reply was they are not going to pay that any mind and I would still have to pay for the repairs.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver and the power steering would not function. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where the technicians stated that the power steering shaft was broken and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Troy, MT, USA
Brought car and windshield wipers were not timed correctly and I needed a part called plaw - the company said they were fixed but, not 3 months later when heavy rain came my windshield wipers are on my windshield straight up and down right in front of what is supposed to be my visible area. Im 5'3 and I have a seven year old child and I would hate to be on the expressway when it starts raining and not able to see because no one took it seriously.. I do not look forward to rainy days especially when I have a newer car but I have to get a ride or on the bus with my child......... help help help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
As I brake my steering wheel shakes on my 2002 Chevy Impala. This is the second time for this vehicle. I had it serviced at an auto repair shop in plainville ct. On or about June 20 2009.
- New Britain, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While traveling approximately 2 mph the contact noticed a loud clunking sound coming from outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the steering joint shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not serviced at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 37464 and the current mileage was 37964.
- Liberty , MO, USA
The power steering went completely out many times in the past 2 years. It continues to go out all the time. The rack & pinion gear, the pump and the hoses were replaced with original delco parts but this did not correct the problem. The Chevrolet dealer mechanic told me it was caused by low tires but my tires were not low. I bought new tires but the problem continues. It is hard to steer on the straight road and it goes out on a turn and I can't steer it. I have to hit my brakes. A local mechanic has tried to repair it about 5 times and he finally gave me my money back and said to take it to the Chevrolet dealer which I did as noted above.
- Tomball, TX, USA
2002 Chevrolet Impala has a problem with the steering wheel shaft. The consumer stated at 36,000 miles the steering wheel was loose and the front end of the vehicle was making a lot of noise. The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft. At 43,165 miles, the problem returned. The dealer once again replaced the intermediate shaft.
- East Granby, CT, USA
We are the owners of a 2002 Chevrolet Impala ls. We purchased the car new in October of 2001. It has been lightly driven and well maintained. It has had two major repairs; the first being a recall of the steering system, the second, a failure of the catalytic converter which was covered under federal law and replaced. Today, I found out that there is a safety recall for possible fire from dripping oil. That is the basic history. For about a year and a half, we have had a frightening issue with the car. You turn the key and nothing. A light that says "security" flashes three times over and over and you cannot start the car for ten minutes. GM's passlock system, which I believe malfunctions, thinks the car is being stolen. Ten minutes later, you can start the car. The problem is even in the manual for the car. GM admits that, but they say it shouldn't happen as much as I have it happen, like one time is ok, but the 5-6 times out of 10 that my car won't start is exceptional. Ten minutes is a long time with a sick child, alone in a dark place at night, in an emergency of any kind. It is a terrifying safety issue and I have read thousands of complaints all over the internet. GM offered me a coupon towards a new car. I know this is a known problem because it is in the manual and people are frightened and scared about it. This should have been a recall a long time ago since people are being stranded with a car with no fuel supply. Due to the car's computer somehow malfunctioning and thinking the car is being stolen, the passlock system reacts by cutting off fuel supply for a designated period of time, in this case, 10 minutes exactly. GM should be ashamed of themselves for having this issue and doing nothing.
- Dundalk, MD, USA
Not been notified by G.M. about safety defect, I just happen to take my car in the shop and had to pay for a recall ; I have a 2002 Impala the steering shakes, I feel something rattling around in the steering.
- Cypress, TX, USA
2002 Chevy Impala 3.8L purchased used in Dec. 2004 w/ 65,000 miles. Where to begin... flooding in floorboards due to clog underneath windshield, three sets of rotors/brakes, clunky noise in steering shaft (replaced twice by dealership) still having same problem, catalytic converter replaced after dealership tried to charge me nearly $1000 to replace; covered by GM as harry green Chevrolet was 'unaware' of replacement policy"!" new struts, numerous alignments/balances B/C vehicle still shakes and shimmys at 60-65 mph; must drive about 75-80 mph just to keep this to a minimum! BCM replaced twice by dealer, security issues won't allow car to start for 15 mins. Each time, which is very inconvenient. Sooo many problems and complaints with these 'quality' GM vehicles, and yet they do nothing to resolve them, except hold out their hands wanting more $$$ from american taxpayers to keep on making junk! and now the newest of a long line of recalls/problems is that there is a fire hazard for leaking oil on the manifold! all of these vehicles need to be recalled due to the numerous safety concerns and consumers are sick and tired of General Motors obvious disregard for safety and reliability!
- Anmoore, WV, USA
Have a clunking sound with steering. Have read on the internet that at times this problem has caused a lock up and could not steer the car. I have not received a recall notice on this problem and GM knows about it. There is a tsb #01023200 on the car. Don't know what to do the car has 38,000 miles on it and has done this since it was new. Jimmi
- Englewood, CO, USA
- Columbus, MS, USA