2004 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer states the brakes on this vehicle have had moderate pulsating for approximately 25, 000 miles the consumer suspected that the front rotors were warped. When he dissembled the front brakes, he discovered that the inner brake pad friction material had completely separated from the steel backing plate (both the left and the right). The consumer believed it was a safety defect. The friction material was floating loose inside of the caliper frames causing the edges of the friction material to become jagged as a result of contacting the calipers. The inside portion of the rotor had unusual wear due to this issue and the vehicle had reduced braking capability. The consumer stated he replaced all of the pads and the rotors at his expense.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that whenever the brakes were applied they made a loud noise and the vehicle was shaking. He previously had the entire braking system replaced. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed that the rotors were delaminating and the calipers were stuck. He was also informed that the braking system needed to be replaced and the failure occurred because the vehicle was not driven often enough. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. The current mileage was approximately 42,000.

- Newport, ME, USA

2004 Chevy Impala with severe vibration while braking. Consumer states that the mechanic informed him that the front and rear rotors were severely warped. He believes that the rotors are poor quality and have to be replaced constantly.

- Milford, CT, USA

I have a 2004 Chevy Impala that has had problems with warped rotors, which I had replaced. Then a wheel bearing went bad. Took vehicle to Chevy dealer. They diagnosed it as left front hub bearing being bad. I had left front hub bearing replaced and problem wasn't fixed. Turned out it was right front hub bearing that was bad, so both ended up replaced. A few weeks later "service traction system" light started coming on every day and shuts off the ABS and traction control systems. Outside temperature and weather conditions don't make any difference. Also having problems with headlights going from high beams to dim. Sometimes it takes two or three attempts before it will go from high beams to dim. I've never had these kinds of problems with Chevrolet's before. I've had Chevrolet's with 150,000 miles on them and have never had to replace rotors, wheel bearings, or had ABS problems before, just normal maintenance.

- Ashville, OR, USA

Car was taken in for brakes. Rotors warped @ 21,500 miles. 12,000 miles later, warped again. Was told this was common and there was nothing they could do for me. Repair cost out of pocket. Car was taken in for an overheating problem. Was told it was totally natural for my car to get that hot. Unbelievable!! now I have an intake or a head gasket that is bad. Again, nothing they can do. Again, cost out of my pocket. This will be the last Chevy I service. My car only has 34,000 miles it. The service center told us, "cars are made different these days. Stuff happens." If they can't stand behind their cars I won't buy another. 34,000 miles and my car is junk. I think a recall should be issued regarding these problems. Bad brakes and bad gaskets.

- Stevens Point, WI, USA

I have a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. I have had to replace brakes and rotors for this car a few times a year. The rotors are constantly getting warped with original GM rotors and brake pads. In 2005, I was in a car accident in which the wheels locked and I was unable to steer the car away from crashing into a curb inside a heavily traveled tunnel. At first, I thought that it was the wet roads due to rain. However, after replacing rotor and brakes constantly, I researched and found out that a NHTSA issued a recall for brakes in June of 2004. The campaign # is 04V28700. I called GM and they said that there were no recalls issued for my VIN#. I informed them that the NHTSA recall did not specify particular 2004 Impala but the whole model year. They gave me the case #71-546836626 and said that they have no record of a recall for my car. What can I do to have this problem resolved?

- Bowie, DC, USA

My 2004 Impala ss has had a chronic problem with brakes and steering. The car now has 64,000 miles on it, and is again experiencing issues with noises in the steering when turning, stopping and starting. The front end just feels loose. This was an issue corrected when the car was under warranty around 35,000 miles. The problem went away, but has returned some 30,000 miles later. Also, had to have the brake rotors turned around 25,000 miles. Today, the car is having its left wheel bearing replaced.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

: the contact stated the brakes pulsate when applied causing a increase in the stopping distance of the vehicle. The problem gradually got worse. In July of 2005 the dealership replaced one set of brake rotors and resurfaced the other set. In September another dealership replaced the other set of rotors. The vehicle was taken back into the dealership in December, which determined the rotors need to be resurfaced due to rust build up. They did not resurface the rotors because the rotors were no longer under warranty.

- Katonah, NY, USA

I have had my 2004 Impala for 18 months, of that 18 months it has been in the dealer for brakes four times. The rotors keep warping up. Some dealerships have told me about this problem. They have even replaced the rotors one time. This has gotten to be such a problem that my family will not ride in this car. Why can't GM design a car without all the problems the Impala has.

- Summerville, SC, USA

I have a 2004 Impala, the car is 2 years old and I've had to have the rear rotors ground down twice because they had warped and were covered with rust. The dealer did the repair and it was under warranty, but there was no explanation as to why this has happened on a new vehicle.

- Rochester, NY, USA

When the brakes were applied, the vehicle vibrated. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and mechanic determined that the front rotors needed to be cut. The consumer will have the rotors cut. Within 10 miles of driving the vehicle immediately after purchase, the brakes begun to shutter and vibrate.

- Magnolia, NJ, USA