7.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $370
- Average Mileage:
- 97,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 60 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (24 reports)
- wait half an hour to start it again (20 reports)
- replace switch and ignition lock cylinder (4 reports)
- had ignition switch replaced (3 reports)
- replaced ignition switch repaired wiring (2 reports)
- i fixed the problem (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I have a 2000 Impala and it has the passlock issue. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I really do love my car but I hate this issue!!
- Donna H., Gaylord, MN, US
Ahhhh... I love everything about my car... except the damn passlock problem. It starts like a charm, I stop and get gas on my way to work and the security light comes on and I am stuck at the pump for about 20 minutes waiting for it to start again.... and I'm late to work. I have to plan my trips to the gas station and limit my stops with my baby because I don't want to get stuck... It happens often enough for me to get absolutely pissed off about it, and then it stops for a few weeks so I forget about it.. then it starts all over again. I took it to the dealership and they told me it was $425 to fix. I have been putting it off.. hoping for a recall because I don't want to hand over $425 to fix it.. but I'm going to have to break down and do it soon...
- Kristen M., Lincolnton, NC, US
Took it in to the dealership. Told them security light flashes and engine won't start at times. Dealership checked the system, replaced ignition lock cylinder, ignition switch and battery; sublet to code lock cylinder. BCM will not program, check and replace body control module and reprogram-body control module would not program. Beginning to be real annoying, but still love the car.
- Karen H., Panama City, FL, US
OK...this is the third time I have taken the car in for the same problem. Dealership replaced ignition lock cylinder and programmed theft system. Seems to work for a little while, but then will have problems in the future. I quit taking it into the shop because no one can seem to track the problem. I have this problem quite frequently, I just have the patience to wait for the 15 minutes and then it will start.
- Karen H., Panama City, FL, US
Never know when it's going to happen or what sets it off. But the security light flashes and you turn the key and nothing happens. You sit and wait. If your lucky it will start in ten mins. There have been several times when I have had to wait about thirty mins for it start. Major prob that GM needs to fix.
- Jennifer F., Somewhere, AR, US
I think My 2000 Chevy Impala is made by the devil... At first my car security light would come on and my car just cuts off.Then I would get out of my car take care of my business get back in and the damn car wont start. I have been stranded in rush hour traffic at work home in another state etc... This has to be the worst car ever made by chevy, I had to get it towed to the dealer and they charged me $1422 to fix my total problems. They put a new crank shaft sensor,passlock cylinder,the Body Control Module, the ignition switch. Well damn, I spent so much money in this crappy car I could have put that down on a car that do what it should do. Get you from point A to point B... DONT EVER BUY A CHEVY IMPALA......
- breezie32, Chicago, IL, US
I'm in the same boat as everyone else.... Random starting, Security Light on, never know what the heck is going on.
I was looking to fix it, but after seeing all this, I think I'm going to dump the car.
Add me to the list of pissed off customers!!!
- peepsspree, Lakewood, CO, US
I have had a TON of problems with this car over the years. This is the most recent, my car has been working fine for awhile (For once) and then for no reason the security light goes on and off randomly as I am driving.
Then for no reason the car will not start. it just clicks and the headlights come on. i try to start it over and over, nothing. then it will randomly start for no reason.
- jmahoney, Bronxville, NY, US
The security light came on, the car would not start, had to wait at least 10 minutes to reset. The GM dealership said it was the passlock cylinder and they replaced it. It had the same problem a year later. However, I did not take it back to the same dealership until 14 months later, so they would not warranty the repair. It had to be 12 months or 12000 miles. I filed a claim with GM and they denied the claim.
- Janie A., Elma, WA, US
The security light comes on, the passlock system won't let the car start. I was told by GM dealership that GM changed the design of the the passlock cylinder. The parts manager said she had sold 8 of the old cylinders in the beginning of 2008, but since GM came out with the new cylinder design in the summer of 2008, she has not seen any cars come back. Well a mechanic put the newly designed cylinder in my car, and it won't start at all. The old cylinder part number is 15822350. The new cylinder part number is 25832354.
- Janie A., Elma, WA, US
I had the same problem as everyone else, my car wouldn't start, had to wait until it was good and ready. Called Chevy dealer wanted me to pay the $800.00 for first attempt then about $600.00 for second attempt. I refused of course, I happened to be at a friends house when my car wouldn't start and my friend suggested I try with the STARTER first...I did and that was the trick I haven't had a problem with it yet. And Chevy wanted to charge me the 800 and 600 first. I know you may be say no way but my security light was on like everyone else's did/had all the symptoms but turned out to be just the starter. This the cheapest 1st attempt. I'm happy now!!
- teresae, Dallas, TX, US
WELL I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CHEVY IMPALA EVERY OTHER WEEK OR TWO MY CAR JUST ALL OF THE SUDDEN DECIDES NOT TO TURN ON. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AT MY JOB, GAS STATIONS, HOME, ETC U NAME IT IM TIRED OF IT!!!!!!!! IM GUESSIN IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHILE IM DRIVING I HAVE NO MONEY TO GET IT CHECKED CAN SOME ONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!??? MAN THE LAST TIME IT DID NOT WANT TO START I WAS AT JIFFY LUBE I HAD TO HAVE THE WORKERS PUSH IT OUTSIDE I WAS SO PISSED AND I HATE IT WHEN YOU BACK A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER TO SEE IF IT TURNS ON THE BITCH JUST TURN RIGHT ON!!!!
- Robert C., Austin, TX, US
I have never in my life had a more horrible car in my life.
- Terry T., Sebring, FL, US
I deliver mail with my Impala and I'll be ready to load up and go and Bam! I'm stuck for about 30 minutes waiting for my car to start. It sucks! How unreliable! I thought I had just been suckered into buying a lemon because nobody else around here had ever heard of this problem. I took it to a local repair shop and he told me it would be about$1000 to fix and there was no guarantee, no thank you. It's also happened at busy gas stations when there are people waiting to get to your pump and you can't move your car for 1/2 hour.
- yapp, Sioux Falls, SD, US
Our 200 Chevy Impala suddenly began NOT starting when we turned the ignition key. Then, if I put the key on accessory and the transmission in neutral, it would fire right up. After a while, even that didn't work. When we took it in to be diagnosed by the local dealer today, he said it was a failing passlock security sensor that's built into the electronic system and would cost $550 to fix. Unbelievable. And there's no guarantee when they fix that that they won't find something else wrong with the security system down the road. Good enough reason to NEVER buy a Chevy product again, as long as I shall live.
- Joe N., West Hartford, CT, US
It started as a random thing happening only every few months. As of recently it has happened three times in the last week. Called to get it repaired...$400...not covered under warranty. I would like to know why something like this is not covered under warranty??? It is not something you or I did to the vehicle (normal wear and tear) it is the idiots who did the electrical.
- ericap, Toledo, OH, US
CHILL-OUT! You don't have to wait 30 min or reset computer! In PARK, click the ignition from off to on 175 times. The car will start in 5 minutes! This is an inherent problem with the car's computer! All impalas have this problem.
Otherwise, Chevy Impalas are ok cars!
- russ117044, West Babylon, NY, US
Alright guys you really gotta here this one!We were traveling from New York State to the state of Florida when we got tired and stopped in the mountains in Virginia for a hotel. The next morning we got in the car to keep on our journey when out of the blue the car wouldn't start, same problem, SECURITY LIGHT. We called a tow truck to see if they could help us. 35 minutes later the tow truck came and started the car like magic it started!! Now not only did we have to pay the tow truck guy full price for coming and doing nothing but we also had our newborn baby with us. We have been stranded at least 20 times since. CHEVY IMPALAS SUCK!!!!! What a waste of money I will NEVER buy another one with my hard earned money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
- Erica W., Pinellas Park, FL, US
well i have had this happen to me several times too (we bought a well taken care of 2000 impala ls from my mother ) when it had only 47,000 miles on it, the security light issue i don't know how to get to go off, (how do you reset the keyfob anyway) well here's how we got our car to start,
1 switch the car to off
2 then switch the car to the acc "click" just before the starting "click" on the ignition switch
3 slowly switch the transmission thru all the gears one at a time, then switch it back thru them to park.
4 try to start it then, 90% of the time it will restart,
don't hold the brake while your trying the gears (i did it and it wouldn't start, but my wife didn't put her foot on the brake and it did start, go figger)
- ray2, Raeford, NC, US
Update!!!! The mechanic went online and found that there is an official GM passlock relearn procedure. He printed it out, followed it and IT WORKS!!! Apparently since GM redesigned the passlock cylinder, the car's computer did not recognize it so that is why it had to relearn (basically reboot) to accept the new cylinder.
Here is the official GM passlock relearn procedure:
1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to ON (vehicle will not start). 2. Observe the SECURITY light, after approximately 10 minutes the light will turn OFF. 3. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 5 seconds. Turn key to START, sometime your car will start after only one relearn. If so, you're done. If not, repeat steps 1 to 3 two more times (for a total of 3 relearns). At that point, the vehicle will be ready to relearn the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to START. Important: The vehicle learns the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle.
- Janie A., Elma, WA, US