The consumer states that the 2002 Chevrolet Impala is having a problem on the security feature on the BCM. The instrument panel lights up and the car will start, and sometimes it will not. The car has been taken to the dealership for diagnostic testing. The dealer found that the body control module was faulty. The consumer did not have the car repaired because she did not have the money to pay for it. The car is still starting intermittently. The consumer called GM, and they referred her to NHTSA. GM made a file of her complaint. The consumer stated specifically that she had been stranded several times because of this and she considered that a safety issue because she has five kids. The consumer said that she had a problem with the security feature for the past year.

- Owaso, OK, USA

I recently(3-7-05) purchased a used 2002 Chevy Impala from my uncle. He told me that based on info received from a former GM mech.; there was a starter problem that he had yet to experience. I have had the car a little over 3 weeks now and have experienced the problem 4 times in the last 5 days. I replaced the starter yesterday(3-23-05) based on what my uncle had told me. 20 minutes after installing the new 1 the car did not start. Called a local dealership this morning(3-24-05) and was told that the problem was with the body control module and the ignition cylinder. This dealer told me that he has 1 Monte Carlo/Impala come in every month with this problem. I asked him if it was recall on the part(s). He told me "no" and the the replacement cost was between $450-600. Now I'm out $250 for a starter I didn't need and being told I'm looking @ another bill around $500. In my opinion 1 car a month is too many and that was at just 1 dealer. I have 14 Chevrolet dealers within 15 miles of my house. That is 168 cars just near me in 1 year. I think this needs to be looked into.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA