10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,973 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

Aug 022010

Impala

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph and abruptly engaging the brakes, the front end of the vehicle began jerking violently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 35,000.

- Baroda, MI, USA

problem #19

Apr 202011

Impala

  • 70,000 miles
2008 Chevrolet Impala lt brake pulsates after normal use when stopping. Appears that there are hot spots on the rotors that cause the the pads on the front to grip and release causing severe front suspension shudder and uncontroable steering. This has been ongoing since the car is new and dealer just wants to sell me another brake job.

- Spencer, MA, USA

problem #18

Mar 182011

Impala

  • 38,600 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 65 mph downhill and depressing the brakes when he noticed that the front of the vehicle would shake excessively. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to or after the failure. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised him that they are unable to diagnose the failure. They also stated that the brakes were heating up and the failure was normal. The dealer advised the contact to downshift when the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,600.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #17

Mar 222011

Impala 6-cyl

  • 40,400 miles
Master brake cylindar is leaking after only 38 months and 40,000 miles.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #16

Feb 142011

Impala 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
Brake and brake rotor warping every couple months. Severe shaking while stopping. Was told by dealer to downshift instead of breaking on hills. Did that but the problems continues. Dealer says the brakes are not covered by warranty and not to drive in the mountains because the brakes overheat. The vehicle is mainly driven on flat roads to my wife's work and they still only last a couple months. Shakes violently after 1/4 mile of down hill travel found forums online of many people with the same problem. vlane.com/discuss-topic/1195/Impala-brake-issues brakes are undersized for the vehicle which causes the over heating and brake failure, shaking and fading. Major safety issue. GM needs to recall and upgrade brake system [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ca, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012010

Impala

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala ltz. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when the brakes started to pulsate and shake the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed him that when the rotors started to heat up they may cause the brakes to pulsate, and that it was normal. The vehicle was repaired and the rotors were rotated. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- White House, KY, USA

problem #14

Dec 132010

Impala

  • 28,486 miles
The roads were snowy and parts of it icy, but it wasn't snowing. From a far distance I started to slowly brake so I won't skid. When I applied a bit more pressure to brake the car more, the pedal hit against my foot and wouldn't go down when I tried to force it. I think the ABS came on but it did not slow my car down at all. The car was still going at the speed I slowed it in earlier but made no change. There was a line of cars ahead of me in front of an intersection, so I panicked and put the car in park and turned off the engine. The car finally stopped about 4 feet away from the car in front of mine.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

problem #13

Jun 132008

Impala

  • 8,700 miles
Vehicle has shimmy, veers to the right, and front has wheelhops. Dealer has changed both front brake calipers, the right front brake rotor, and left and right hub assemblies have been replaced. Issue has caused excessive wear and warping on parts due to overheating. Affects steering and control of vehicle. Since parts have been replaced, shimmy, wheelhop and steering till an issue.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #12

Jul 102010

Impala

  • 38,500 miles
My 2008 Chevy Impala has had a problem with front brakes since I purchased the vehicle. On steep or long grades, when the brakes are applied, there is a very bad shuttering which gets worse if the grade is longer. It has become a very bad problem and almost cost me a speeding ticket in that I had to lay off the brake which caused me to go above the speed limit. Fortunately I was able to slow the car before I ran thru radar. This is a serious problem and from what I have read online has been a problem with other Chevrolet owners as well.

- Big Stone Gap, VA, USA

problem #11

Aug 082009

Impala

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving down a hill at 35 mph, the brakes pulsated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the rotors were buffed and re-faced twice. However, the failure still occurred when the vehicle was traveling downhill. The dealer stated that the brakes were supposed to function that way. The brakes were under warranty at the time of the complaint and the contact was concerned that she would have to pay to repair the failure after it was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The current mileage was approximately 17,500

- Mountaintop, PA, USA

problem #10

Mar 292010

Impala

  • 20,000 miles
Overheating and dangerous, quick pulsation of brake rotors on my 2008 Chevrolet has always been a constant and stressful experience when driving in hilly, mountainous country. I had the same problem with a 2001 Impala. GM has got to address this inherent weakness in the Impala's braking system.

- Belle Vernon, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 072009

Impala

  • 36,429 miles
1. 2008 Chevrolet Impala, while driving down inclines the front disc brakes heat up and shake violently. The disk are too small to dissipate the heat. 2. condition occurs while driving down hills. 3. GM dealer turned disc 1 time under warranty and told me to shift my automatic transmission to a lower gear going down hill. There is much information from owners of GM vehicles on this problem on the internet. The Impala is not the only GM product with this problem due to disk too small.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #8

Apr 282009

Impala 6-cyl

  • 16,514 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving downhill, the brakes would pulsate abnormally. The dealer road tested the vehicle and found bad pulsations in hard speed stops. Both front rotors exhibited severe heat spots and were warped. The brake pads were replaced with heavy duty brake pads. The vehicle was released to the owner but within 10,000 miles the brakes began to exhibit the same failure. The dealer could not duplicate the failure and advised the contact to down shift on hills to prevent the vibration in the brakes. No additional repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure persisted. The failure mileage was 16,514 and the current mileage was 26,952. Updated 03/24/10 the consumer was told the brakes were safe and no action would be taken. Updated 07/09/10.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #7

Jul 272009

Impala

  • 24,900 miles
When driving 2008 Chevrolet 4 door lost control at the top of a hill on a highway. I braked to miss a stopped car. No speeding and no ticket. This car a safety issue with steering and the brakes. I have a 2009 Impala

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

problem #6

Jan 102009

Impala

  • 17,000 miles
Feel vibration from the brake pedal. I do not know if it from the front or back, I feel the vibration at 25 + mph. I have a 2009 Impala lt.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

problem #5

Jun 032009

Impala

  • 28,000 miles
Both front brake rotors warped 2008 Chevrolet Impala lt.

- Elk Run Heights, IA, USA

problem #4

Sep 092007

Impala

  • 1,732 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 25 mph downhill, the vehicle vibrated and hesitated when the brake pedal was depressed. The brakes also made a loud grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the rotors. The technician resurfaced and deglazed the rotors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a total of four times for the failures. The better business bureau mandated the manufacturer to repair the vehicle for free. The defect had been previously repaired and is awaiting to be repaired again. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 1,732 and current mileage was 18,006.

- Ashville , NC, USA

problem #3

Mar 162008

Impala

  • 1,200 miles
Brakes get dirt on them and start grinding at the rotors especially the back brakes.

- Melbourne, AR, USA

problem #2

Sep 122008

Impala

  • miles
I bought a brand new Impala, year 2008. After approximately 10K miles I experienced a vibration in the rear when braking. When I brought the car to radley Chevrolet in fredericksburg, they told me that the rotors were warped and it was my fault and not covered by warranty. They said that the lug nut torque was not correct and uneven. I never touched the lug nuts or rotated the tires as the torque issue was rear only and tread wear proved there had been no rotation. I went to Chevrolet customer service who stated the radley service manager was such a great guy and he believed the service manager. When I explained that the tread wear proved the tires were not rotated he then told me that not rotating the tires was a maintenance violation also. I asked him that now you are claiming the uneven torque was due to me not rotating the tires. I am frustrated as I am right and never touched those tires or nuts. I am not even sure where the wrench is.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Jul 032007

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
When driving 2008 Chevrolet 4 door lost control at a turning of highway. No speeding and no ticket. This car a safety issue with steering and the brakes.

- Alameda, CA, USA