On a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, the security light comes on while driving. Following this event various electrical abnormalities occur. Dashboard warning lights all flash together, dash goes dark. Sometimes when you start the car the security light comes on and the headlights flash as if they were icc flashers. There are numerous complaints about this on the internet. Chevrolet doesn't seem to have any finite fix for this and randomly replaces the BCM and ignition switch as possible causes. Most people report having the exact same problem over again several days later"?" due to this erroneous reporting I thought I had a battery problem and the garage changed my alternator. At a cost of $306 dollars. Which I now believe was totally un-necessary.

- Ridge, NY, USA

On 01/22/08 while driving, the "security" light appeared in the message center on the instrument panel. When I stopped the car, turned it off, and restarted, all was fine and the light remained off. The following day, after driving approximately 10 miles, the "security" light appeared. This has happened a total of four times, most recently on 01/27/08. When the light appeared, the headlights dimmed for a moment. When I stopped the car, the lights on the radio were extremely dim. On 01/28/08, I went to start the car and the battery appeared to be dead. An attempt to jump off the car was unsuccessful. This seems to be related to the very common "passlock" problems on other GM products.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Chevy Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when the security light illuminated. In addition, the failure occurred intermittently the last three years. The dealer replaced the ignition and pass sensor; however, the failure continued to occur. The current mileage was 96,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.

- Woodbury, CT, USA

Dealer says I need a new electronic body control module.( $1,100.) ABS light on and off, traction light on and off, security light on and off, car would not start 4 times. Trunk opens on and off. Service writer told me it is not common. While picking up my car, I refused to have the ebcm replaced, another customer called in with the same problem. Mechanics who work independent have told me the maintenance programs GM requires are a major rip off. A class action suit needs to be started against GM for destroying the moral of the auto consumer. I have seen others post that they had the module reprogrammed. Others have had it replaced for $400-500. Service writers should not be on commission this gives them a rip you off mentality! GM dealers are scum Chevy is scum.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

Was stranded for about 30 minutes because car wouldn't start on my 2002 Chevy Impala the original security system passlock doesn't let the vehicle start. Has happened several times about 10 and I have only had this vehicle for 4 months I have read some forums in the internet and it's a known problem with GM and a lot of people have this problem and a risk since they are trying to fix it by working by the steering wheel and trigger the air bag. Some people say it could be the BCM I don't know but GM does.

- Mallen, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the turn signal lights work sporadically and the vehicle shuts off and on intermittently. He stated that the failure was due to an electrical failure. The dealer stated that nothing could be done because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer has not been notified. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 102,000.

- Florissant, MO, USA

Security light coming on and passlock failure. I would like to know why GM is not fixing this problem when so many people are having them. My security light will only go off if I shut the car off and restart it. The lights blink, and from what I am hearing, soon I will not be able to start my car.

- Fairfield , PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at any rate of speed, the head lights would shut off without warning. The contact stated he would have to turn headlights from high to low, to get them to illuminate. The dealer stated that they have never heard of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 46,000.

- Robesonia, PA, USA

Several times I would go to start my car and the security light would be on in the message center. The car would not start. It did nothing like a dead battery. I would wait about 15 minutes and try again. Sometimes it would start sometimes it wouldn't. it was doing this 2 or 3 times a week. On Sept. 9, 2006 I came out from shopping and it wouldn't start. I waited for 15 minutes and still nothing. I did this for an hour. Then I called a friend to come and get me. I went back to my car which is a 2002 Impala, the next day, still nothing. The next day, still nothing. I called a tow truck to the dealer to get it fixed. Also my power door locks had quit at the same time. I was told I had to give them $100 just to look at it. 3 hours later they called and said that I could pick up my car. Total cost towing $59, dealer $496.95. I am disabled and only get $600 a month from disability. Now I have no money for my living expenses for the month but the car is still doing the same thing. On the 1st of Oct. I went out to start my car and guess what it won't start. Since this was a Sunday I called the dealer on Monday morning to tell them that it was not fixed. It was still doing the exact same thing that it was before they supposedly fixed it. By the way when they supposedly fix it they replaced the bmc. Now they want another $100 to look at it again. The part was guaranteed but not labor, I could not afford another bill like the last one, I just hope it starts when I go to the dr. It starts only when it wants to. My husband just had brain surgery, I have had 5 surgeries on my spine, I need a car that I can depend on to start. Never had a problem with it. I will hold Chevrolet responsible if any thing happens to my husband or my self because the car won't start. After I took the car to the dealer I came home, looked on the internet under Chevrolet Impala 2002 and found 100's of service bulletins on the very same problem. Why isn't any thing being done about this.

- Dayton, NV, USA

Was waiting in terminal for my ferry home...tried to start car when asked to move onto ferry...nothing car would not start.. just dead...tried to start with two different chargers..no luck.. called bcaa.. missed ferry...finally back in car to wait for aaa talking to husband who asked if windows worked and radio? yes windows did but hadn't tried radio...went into car turned on ignition to start radio and car started right away...no hesitation...had to leave on while waiting for last ferry home and during the trip across the straight...got home turned off car...tried to start again...no problem started first time...still haven't found out what the problem was and how to fix it.

- Pender Island, 00, USA

My car was running one day when I was in a store and I came out and got in and it was dinging and lights were flashing radio didn't work fan was not as strong as usual. And once in awhile I won't even have lights unless I hold in the brights switch. But that was just the start it got more frequent that this would happen then, it wouln't start I would try for hours to get it to start I would have to disconnect the battery and wait and then even after doing this it might not start. And then just driving down the road it will ding and flash raid shuts off says "locked" what what is this now. So I will stop shut off wont start, finally starts then none of the gauges work or radio or even the A/C. I have lost two jobs because of my car not starting and being late for work or not being able to make it cause it wont start. Now I have taken it to about ten dealer ships, well every place tells me same thing there is nothing wrong with your car. May 30,2007 was the worst time with my car, it was raining really hard, my car started to act up like usual my A/C wouldn't work it was really humid and about 85 degrees and I got to a town and shut off the car and disconnected the battery as usual also and nothing happen and this went on for 2 hours and still nothing happened the worst part about this is I had my 6 month old daughter with me, my fiance is out of town we are an hour from home and my friend has a flat tire and my parents on vacation I had no ride or any body to call and I couldn't call a tow service because I only had $10 to my name I had to bundle my daughter up in her blanket and start walking home, I walked for about 20mins before any one stopped to pick us up. I am so sick and tired of this happening and would like this problem to be resolved but I don't think it should have to be at my expense when it obviously is not just happening to me! please please help me !! I just don't know what to do!!! akl

- Remer, MN, USA

Car does not turn over. Every six months or so the car does not turn over. There were no indications that it would not start. Aaa was called and stated it was the starter. Next morning, car started right up. Diagnostic test indicates that it is electronic.and should be a recall. Diagnostic codes P1626, 1064.

- North Wales, PA, USA

The following matter is a potential disaster waiting to occur. I have informed GM by mail and telephone. I have went to the Chevy dealer only to come out with my key five hand held transmitter to stop working. I have sent letters to the dealership that sold me the car. T the security system shuts down the vehicle at random times automatically. Continuous problems: Security light on message center continues to flash security service vehicle soon, - battery the security system automatically, continuously attempts to shut down my car this security system also unlocks my trunk the handheld transmitter does not work after replacing the battery after the Chevy dealer checked the problem I have to unlock the doors manually the lights flash and the message on the radio panel says locked I cannot use my car, it will not start - engine light comes on - all lights go out while driving, this faulty "pass lock theft deterrent" system, automatically comes on and shuts my car down when I pull over to the side of the road and turn the engine off. It will not turn on again, only the check engine light comes on. I had the car inspected today at a Chevy dealership and the results was, " replace the control module at $325, first, then I can program the key five transmitter." Replaced transmitter battery and car battery I conclude that GM has the monopoly on vehicle parts and service all in the name of technology and cost the consumer a tremendous amount of repairs on top of the cost for the vehicle. Consumers should not have to pay for a service that they cannot repair at any shop in town. For instance, I can take my transmission issues to almost any transmission shop, however, I cannot take my manufacturer built- in security system to any shop. They will not touch it just because it is manufacturer built. I want the laws changed.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Driving when all warning lights came on, then the battery light stayed on for a short period. It did not effect the car performance but it did reset the clock on the radio as if the battery had been disconnected. Another time the traction control and ABS brake lights flashed and the radio pulsed. The security light remained on as I was moving forward out of a driveway the vehicle stalled but immediately restarted and all the lights cleared.

- Depew, NY, USA

2002 Impala ls with serious electrical problems. The first problem started with the turn signals going out. Then the radio would not go off even when the keys were out and doors locked, and sometimes does not work at all. Automatic door lock no longer works. When trying to start the car, I have to turn the key several times and then wait for it to finally start. The interior lights flicker. The headlights don't always work - I try not to drive at night because I never know when they'll go out. The instrument panel works about half the time, so I don't know how much fuel I have or how fast I am going. The message display goes between "security", "high beam out", "service engine soon", when it's working. There seems to be a new electrical component that goes out each day.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Car would not start. Thought it was the battery or possibly the alternator, but it turned out to be a failed body control module (BCM). Our car had only 46,000 miles when this occurred. There should be an official recall on the BCM given the numerous bulletins and complaints concerning the BCM before someone's loses his or her life as a direct or indirect result of its failure.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

: the contact stated the headlights failed without warning. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 6/16/2006 - when the high beams were used the dash lights went dark.

- York, PA, USA

Body control module (BCM) failed after 57,000 miles. The other computer that resides in the same housing is covered by a 80,000 mile warranty, where as the BCM is not. There are numerous tsb's that are posted concerning failure of the BCM. There are many people who have similar problems and many sources are available by researching the internet. The technician at the dealership even said that "Impala are notorious" for problem with the BCM. General Motors says that it is not covered and therefore will not cover the replacement costs of the BCM. If so many people are having problems with this year model (2002 Impala ls) then why hasn't anything been done by them. I am thankful that my car did not shut off on the highway and did so in my parking lot.

- Great Mills, MD, USA

2002 Chevy Impala ls car stalls at highway speeds, often after hitting large bump, resulting loss of power brakes and power steering is dangerous. Full text of correspondence with GM, postings on line and search of tsb is available.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

Problem with message center, security lite comes on then battery lite, then service vehicle soon, then air conditioning would not turn on, started funny, did not start turning over when I first turned the key it started to turn over about 1 sec after turning the key and started ok then. All of this happened a the same time for the first time. Prior to this I reported a popping/snapping noise when you turned the key. The chev dealer said this was normal (3 weeks prior to the problem).

- Glendive, MT, USA