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6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,090
Average Mileage:
82,550 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (20 reports)
  2. cleaned 2 front rpm sensor plugs (1 reports)
2002 Chevrolet Impala drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jun 012011

Impala LS 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Should of Bought a Toyota Camry I owned a 97 Camry sold it to buy the 2002 Impala from the Chevrolet Dealership in 2003.miss my Camry.

- Francisco Javier R., Bakersfield, CA, US

problem #20

Oct 062010

Impala 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,274 miles

first time tc came on was backing into mother-inlaw's driveway for no reason. starts becoming a more frequent thing,, no more chevy 4 me. several more problems...

- trkmotorsports, Red Deer, AB, Canada

problem #19

Mar 012010

Impala LS 3800

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

click to see larger images

traction control activates for no reason

Since we bought this Chevy Impala at Gene Pankey Motor in Tacoma Washington We have had nothing but issues with the traction control system lights coming on. When we would return to the dealer to have it worked on they would clear the computer which would clear the problem for a few days but it always comes back. We have had our Impala in a lot of times, at least 15x. we never thought to keep track of how many times we have had to have this worked on. its been to 4 different shops for the same thing. We Love this Car. it is a great car. lots of room and has gitty up, and well, its hot and its paid for. We really want our car fixed we are tired of taking it in to be fixed and nothing gets done. They have replaced the catalytic converter at the chevy dealer saying that was bad and replaced the front right wheel sensor twice at the Amco transmission shop in Fircrest. its been to bitterlings in tacoma as well as the dealer we bought it from, Gene Pankey. and we still have the same issues. The Traction Control light keeps coming on and the ABS light now comes on, It happens intermittently. I feel it has something to do with the brakes or the transmission! The Brakes go spongy when the Traction control light comes on we lose our BRAKES!!!! I am still under warranty til 100.000 miles and i'm only at 80.000 but I just don't have time to keep taking this thing to the dealer. I want my Ride fixed and I want it fixed now. Cant we start a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!!

- Chris S., Lakewood, WA, US

problem #18

Jun 262008

Impala LX 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Traction control activates for no reason. ABS comes on , Can feel it in the brake pedal. Very annoying, Replaced right front hub assembly, upon mechanic request, worked for a week or so. Mechanic replaced some type of sensor or motor $300.00 Worked for about 1 month . Took back to mechanic, Said code said right front hub assembly, will try this again.

Will keep updated. If anyone knows how to get any satisfaction from dealer please let me know. Thanks

- spiderspoilers, Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #17

Mar 202009

Impala LS 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

traction control engages when reversing while cold. Also when turning the wheel to advance the car after reversing. Recently had the driver side bearing hub replaced, but I think it was doing this prior to that.

- Rob P., Pittsburgh, PA, US

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problem #16

Mar 262009

Impala 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,520 miles

traction control activates when at a stop turning right on acceleration then it goes off on a perfectly dry day

- kenwv, Mcmechen, WV, US

problem #15

May 142008

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Traction turns off at first and you think nothing of it. The light eventually turns off as you drive then, it escalates to everytime you drive where you are braking, either fast or slow, and the brakes are spongy and hesitant. Then the ding chimes and the ABS light is activated as well as the traction OFF. I got a new EBSM Electronic Braking System Module, Changed rotors(disc brakes) and changed to Ceramic Pads, Got a tune up and new tires. Also, I brake earlier and softer so as to not overheat them and I still have the problem. If you know a solution I sure would like to learn about it.

- alexus, Norfolk, VA, US

problem #14

Aug 012008

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

I started having problems when my traction light kept coming on after stopping, it only came on for a quick second, no reason for the light to come on. Then traction system light started showing up as service traction system and kicking my traction off. Then came the hesitation in my brake pedal which started making my ABS light coming on. First I got new tires because I thought the tires were the problem with the traction light, I was close to getting new ones anyways. No that didn't fix the problem, stopped into the dealership now the problem is that the traction light doesn't stay on and with no light they can't help me because there is no light and it doesn't do it all the time. I wait till I have lights on and go into the dealership and they say I need to replace a right front speed senor and that cost me $522.00. Thought if fixed it then 2 days later I had the same problems again, take it back to the dealership with no lights on and tell them what it is doing, bring it back when you have lights on so we can read the code. Only if the lights came on when I had time to get to the dealership, I wait almost 2 weeks after driving my car with the traction acting up, the brakes hesitation and ABS light coming on I was able to take it in to the dealership left it running till they could hook up a computer to and was told to fix it it will be 1300.00 for a EBCM and short harness. Paid 1 hour of labor and took my car unfixed. My husband knowing some about cars went to the junk yard got one out of a wrecked vehicle and replaced it into my car. Well he drove it for about 2 hours thinking it was fixed and then the brakes started again. Any suggestions out there

- Julie C., Summerville, SC, US

problem #13

Mar 212008

Impala LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

For months now the Traction Activate light comes on and the brakes pulsate. (we replace brakes 6months ago) O.K. so in March I bring in my car when ABS light is on thinking that the brakes are bad, the traction service light comes on and trac/off light comes on. I bring it to Chevy (where I had brakes replaced) thinking it is under warranty.

O.K. they tell me I need to replace left hub and harness...$650.00 Not even a couple of weeks later the same thing happens all of the lights come on. Now they tell me the hub and harness need to be replaced o.k. I need my car, never the less not happy. 650.00 bill in my face I pay it. Then to my amazement they replaced left hub and harness (Again) I get a refund call it a day. Now the left hub and harness new. 3 Months later

lights come on again! Now they mechanic claims the Right hub is bad. I talk and talk till

I'm blue in the face, explaining that it's not getting fixed but I keep dishing out money, so I say fix it because I need my car. I don't know who to contact and to complain, but to my amazement I've come across others with the same complaint. When I was at the

Chevy dealer waiting on them to access my car, I had 5 salesmen approach me asking me if I was interested in a new car. I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER CHEVY=((

I'm literally afraid to drive my car afraid I will break down. On top of replacing the transmission in Jan. 08 We have dished out over 6,000 in repairs into a vehicle less than 6yrs that we purchased new and take darn good care of it.

- Donna A., Hickory Hills, IL, US

problem #12

Mar 172007

Impala LS 3.8L V^

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

About a year ago, the traction control would activate for no reason, and the traction active light would come on and stay on. The dealer told me I needed a new hub and a new cable to the hub. Cost a little over $650. The car was fine for about 3 months. Ever since, intermittently, the traction control activates and the traction active light comes on for no reason. If I take my foot off the gas for a few seconds, the traction control and the light turns off, and it's fine for a few days.

- Robert M., Andover, NJ, US

problem #11

Apr 092008

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

as you are driving the car and push on the gas to accelerate the traction lock activates and the car losses power and every time you back up it engages which is areal pain in the ass on a hill.

- Lee R., Hanover, MD, US

problem #10

Apr 262007

(reported on)

Impala LS 3.8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

Just like all the other complaints here, I have a problem with my traction control. It activates when the car is on dry pavement, or basically whenever the traction control doesn't need to be on. I also have another complaint on another page about this car. Also, it activated my ABS light, which I guess the two are connected some how. All I can say is, NO MORE CHEVY'S FOR ME.

- intension, Lancaster, NY, US

problem #9

Dec 012005

Impala LX 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Same as many of you who wrote in here my 2002 /3.8L Impala has been giving me problems since 2004. Spending 4000 at the dealership gave no result until today. Every time something is done about it like changing the speed sinners (changed the 4) never solved the problem permanently.

GM wouldn't admit there terrible engineering, everybody should call GM and let them know about this problem and ask them to start a recall as soon as possible. If anybody was able to find a solution for this problem please let me know. Thank you in advance.

- Mike V., Fairfax, VA, US

problem #8

May 222007

(reported on)

Impala LS 3.8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Ive had many problems with my Impala. Transmission, windows, traction control, headlights turn off randomly etc. I bought the car used a while ago with low miles from carmax, the car was about 16k. Since I've bought it I've dropped around 4000 in repairs. It seems there is always a new problem with this car, so much that I'm considering tripling my payments so I can get rid of as soon as possible. I always liked Impalas and for the price, miles and options I felt good about buying it. The newest problem is a traction control problem. For a while the traction control would turn on randomly when I was backing up, today however the traction control started to make the engine sputter going forward. If anybody has had this problem and could give me a estimate on what its gonna cost, please send me a comment

- jasonva, Ashburn, VA, US

problem #7

May 212007

Impala LS 3800 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

This problem is such a pain. Give it a little gas to go and the Traction Control kicks in as if I am on ice. Then again, go a few blocks and hit the brakes and the Antilock brakes kick in as if I am about to be in an accident. OK, I'm on dry pavement and not bearing down on the brakes to stop. I took it to the Chevy dealership to get it diagnosed. I was told the EBCM and the EBCM Valve, and the right front hub assembly would need to be replaced...$3000!! OK, we got a loan to pay for the repairs. After keeping my car for 4 days, i finally get my car back. But only 2 days later, its doing the same thing. I took it back to the shop. They thought the speed sensor was bad on the front hub assembly, so they changed it. WRONG, problem is still there. So I took it to another Chevy Dealership to get it diagnosed. I told them what has been changed out on it. They kept my car all day on the diagnostic machine trying to find the problem. Needless to say, after 17000 miles I still have the problem. I have gotten in the habit to press the "Trac Off" button to disengage the Traction Control. It helps with the chattering when accelerating but does nothing for the ABS brakes.

I got on the GMLINK website to email my 2500 words of complaint. A real person did email be back and even called me a few times about my problem. She was a snotty *#?>) when I told her I wanted to be reimbursed for unsuccessful repairs. She emailed me to let me know the after so many miles the manufacturer would not be liable for repairs. OK. I was nice with my reply with the expectation that I was not getting my money back. BUT, I did recommend them find the solution to fix the problem and they should contact me when their engineers have figured out the fix to the problem. Only then will I take it back to try to get it fixed. I am not using my money to be their guinea pig. she has my service order on file. For those that have under 100,000 miles and have this problem, I would try to contact them to see if they can pay for the repairs. They did reimburse me for replacing the Catlitic converter, $800.00. I am giving Chevy ONE more chance to try to fix this problem, if its not fixed...Toyota here I come.

- rferguson, Muskogee, OK, US

problem #6

Oct 312007

(reported on)

Impala SS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

The traction control light just goes off when I'm driving off out of a parking space. I don't know what's wrong because it only happens sometimes, and the weather can be dry as can be.

- olivaresny, Staten Island, NY, US

problem #5

Aug 272007

(reported on)

Impala ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

To start... traction control started to activate for no reason. Then the Check ABS light would come on. Brought it in two months ago and had it fixed. Not sure what they did, but it started happening again two weeks ago.

- vecc1207, Richmond, VA, US

problem #4

Jun 062007

(reported on)

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Traction control activates, ABS light comes on (sometimes) whenever I turn right- all at speeds under 15mph. Had wheel speed sensor replaced 1 month ago. Problem is back worse than ever. Mechanic can't figure it out. Dealer nor private shop!

- Cindy R., Brookville, FL, US

problem #3

Mar 262007

(reported on)

Impala ALL 3.8 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles

erratic traction control activation. Reseated-cleaned- 2 front rpm sensor plugs and that did trick.

- Peter C., N. Kingstown, RI, US

problem #2

Jan 092007

(reported on)

Impala LS 3.8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

traction control activates when cornering especially when braking and first thing when you start to move the car on dry surfaces. also head lights when out this am on my way to work, interior lights do not illuminate when you open any door, fuel and temp gauge are not working.

- John M., Brazil, IN, US

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