I bought my car used a little over a year ago. I had barely had the thing a month when I started getting a low coolant light. I took it in to a local shop and they told me it would cost $830 to fix! At that point I was pretty mad, so I went to the dealer I'd bought it from. I didn't want to go originally because it's a little bit of a drive. Luckily, I had a 90 warranty from the dealership and I paid a $100 deductible and they took care of it. Overall I've been happy with the Impala but every once in awhile a major problem crops up and I have to spend money I don't have...

I had to replace the gasket on the intake manifold of my 3.4L 2002 Impala twice in an eight month period. It's a known problem with these vehicles, but there's no recall. Crazy! I also just had to have the catalytic converter replaced. Thankfully that was covered under a GM special provision (up to 120K miles). I've never had this many major problems with a car before.

If there is a class action lawsuit related to the intake manifold gasket I would definitely be interested in finding out more!

Same problem that I'm seeing on your website. Intake manifold gasket leaking in a few places more so under the thermostat. Low Level Coolant light keeps going on and off. If there is a class action lawsuit on this matter I would like to be added to it. I think GM needs to stand up on this matter. I bought this about a year ago. It had 83000 miles on it when I purchased it. I've had four Honda Accords that I bought new and the last one had 245000 miles on it and all I've done to the Honda's is tires and battery. I'll be going back to Honda.

I purchased my impala in 2004 with 53,000 miles on it. Other than needed to replace a faulty spare plug, I never had a problem with it. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles and traveled long distance in it once to Baltimore, MD. I don't understand how at 83,000 miles, I could have such a major problem. I went to 3 different mechanics and before they even popped the hood, they knew what the problem was. All I did was explain it. I must be a common problem and it needs a solution. It got the point where I was putting Dex-cool in my car once a week. I love my Chevy but sh*t like this will make me trade it in for a Honda.

I have had so many things fixed on my car in the last two years. I replaced the rotors three times last year. The body control module, alternator, battery and catalitic converter this year. I also have had the brakes completely re-done this year with four new tires. I have had tune-ups and oil changes when they are required to be changed. I now have a intake gasket that is leaking the coolant. I was on my way out of town with my family for Memorial Day and we stopped to get gas at the gas station and the car would not start. I luckily got some Dex-Cool to put in to get out of town. After fixing everything else, I do not have the money right now to pay $1,000 to fix the new problem. The dealer charges $100.00 per hour. We bought an extended warranty, but the warranty will only pay for $55 per hour in labor. That leaves me with a deductible and a $400 bill left over. I paid $1,000 for that warranty thinking it would really help with these junky GM cars that are being put on the market. Not only this, but the other day the back right door handle just came right off. It's a 2002 car with only 71,000 miles. It was well taken care of. It's wrong to build these cars, charge high prices for them and get a lemon. These cars should be lasting at least 100,000 miles with good maintenance. These dealers and the car manufacturers are taking advantage of us. Something has to be done to stop gouging the people.

First, I came to this site by searching for recalls. I have a 02 Impala and my coolant light came on as well. Went through the same process as you guys and found out that it was the coolant manifold leaking. A $1000+ repair. I don't have it but had to come up with it to get my car fixed. This my only transportation. I really upset. I thought Chevy was good. My family and I have had Chevy in the family all my life. I think twice on buying one now. Chevy....I need my money back ASAP. Let me in on the law suit. Pissed off consumer!

So yeah, like so many other Impala owners I had the lower intake gasket go out. GM really dropped the ball on the gaskets they put in their cars!! If you people could see the crap gaskets compared to the FEL PRO "problem solver" set you would know why US auto makers are having a rough go of things. Any way mine went out around 117,000 miles. I didnt have the 500 bucks the local shop wanted to replace them so I did it myself and that is why my replacement cost was only $160. My leak was on the drivers side water jacket in the front bank. It was leaking out of the motor under the thermostat. The coolant ran down the front of the block by the transmission and right through my starter! Now it is acting up. Antifreeze is a caustic solution and most likely damaged some of the wiring. Im just glad that I fixed it before it started pitting the aluminum head (you are talking anywhere from 1500 to 2500 total if that happens, as the heads have to be replaced or machined). For anyone that has to have this problem fixed, INSIST on more expensive FEL PRO replacement gaskets. They are called problem solver for a reason ;-)

My wife bought this car new and drove it to 50-55k miles when I took over. Around 1 month ago (67k) the low coolant light came on, no problem I thought and topped it off. A few days later same problem, this time I topped off radiator and reservoir. A few days later same problem. Looked for leaks in the obvious places but could find none. This had me very uptight since coolant was being used with no apparent leak. Finally I parked in a clean parking space for a few hours and was never so glad to find a leak from what appeared to be the area of the water pump. I debated for several weeks whether to attempt the repair myself or take it to the dealer. Since I am in the middle of a home improvement project the dealer won. The service department told me I had a cracked intake manifold gasket and needed a new water pump as well and the cost would be around $800.00! I was a bit surprised by the cost but decided to let the dealer do the job. As of this posting the car is being worked on. Other than this issue I have had zero problems with this car and am very pleased with it. The dealer got me right in and the car will be done same day. As for a recall, GM has a history (I am sure all makes have a similar one) of known problems and no recall. Class action lawsuit? Cars are machines and parts wear out! As with people cars are similar but each is unique and are uesd and cared foe in different ways. I am not happy to shell out $800.00 but I feel comfortable with the situation.

I didnt have my impala brand new. I bought it at 75,000 now its about 78,000-79,000 miles on it. When i start my car or sometimes it take a while but ther eis a very LOUD screaming sound coming from the engine. People told me its sound like a train, a plan, or a fire engine even a cop siren. I thought it may have been the PCV valve. I replaced it and no it wasnt it. I finaly took it to a mechanic and they told me it is the intake manifold gasket. They said they dont knwo why it had a classic plastic gasket on there. The job on the books cost about $350 and the gasket with everything is over $100 he said he would do it for $400. Also my valve cover gaskets need to be replaced from leaking. I have to add oil every month or so. Also the transmission I THINK there something wrong with. Now this was WAS beated on because it use to be a cop car. I was thinking about doing this job myself. Im not sure what im gone to do but i need to think fast because this sound thats sooooooo loud is pissen me off. I have a feeling im going to be looking foward to more problems. but its my baby so. Add me to this suit!!!

I drive roughly 110 miles round trip a day to my job and need my car to be healthy. Since I am a female on the highway I pay close attention to my gauges and listen to my car. I do regular maintenance. The Low Coolant Level light came on the Message center. The temp gauge was normal. When I got to work I noticed a smell of antifreeze. I thought maybe I was due for a radiator flush so I took it to the Chevy dealership closest to my job. They kept it all day and called to tell me it needed a new water pump and intake manifold gasket. The cost, $1018. Of course money I don't have. I babied my car home and parked it until the weekend. My husband changed out the water pump, purchased from O'Reilly's Auto Parts for $45 and bought a gallon of Dexcool for $14. Chevy dealership wanted $115 for the water pump and $21 for the Dexcool. Go Figure. Well the problem is still there, so the next step would be the Intake Manifold Gasket. The dealership told me it would be $650 to $800 to fix. I believe this is a task my husband cannot handle on his own. I will either park it until I save $800 or keep driving it and add water at home and at work.

It sickens me that Chevy has downgraded their vehicles. We currently own a Chevy from every decade for the last 5 decades, and this Chevy is the worst one. The 66 Nova is more dependable than this 2002 Impala. The Nova is garage kept and is not meant to put 110 miles a day on. I purchased this Impala off the showroom floor in Oct 2001 and paid a pretty price for it. For $28,000, I would not think that would be the price to pay for a disposable car.

FYI, the temp gauge has ran 180 to 200 throughout this whole issue. A strong smell of antifreeze is still present even after changing the water pump but no visible leak. The leak was visible before the change out of the water pump. I was told to watch the oil, as water can get into the oil. Didn't see how that was possible since my block was not cracked, but the 4" water pump bolts go all the way into the block. FINE ENGINEERING! What in the hell has happened to Chevrolet? No wonder they haven't shown a profit since 2004. If they don't take care of the consumer; the consumer will go elsewhere.