In January 2006 my 2002 Impala loss power. I was going up a very small hill and I didn't think I was going to make it up. I took my car to my local mom and pop's garage and they put it on the computer. It showed that the catalytic converter was bad eventhough the check engine light did not come on. I had them replace not knowing that the car was still under warranty for emissions and they didn't use a GM part. A few months later, the check engine light did come on. Again it showed the catalytic converter as the problem. The service technician said he had never had any problems with putting a non-dealer part on a car before but did replace the converter once again with a non-GM part in case the first one happened to be a bad part. A couple of months later the check engine light is back on. Took it to the dealership and the catalytic converter shows as well as the transmission. Of course, they wouldn't make good on the catalytic converter by this time because it was out of warranty and it wasn't the original GM part. I was told that it would cost $775 just for them to look at the transmission. I cannot afford this and just brought the car home. I'm still driving it but it's worse and worse every day. I wouldn't trust driving this car very far. I've read many complaints on the catalytic converter & the transmission that you would think GM would have to step up and do something. At this point I would never purchase another GM vehicle and my husband is diehard GM. I've taken very good care of this car hoping that it would last until my daughter starts driving and I could hand it trustingly down to her but that's not going to be the case. My husband doesn't take care of his trucks like I would and he still has a 1995 that runs good.

- Vevay, IN, USA

I own a Chevrolet, Impala - 2002. In the beginning of April I was on my way to work and when I attempted to pull out into a busy four-lane highway as I hit the gas pedal to accelerate the car felt sluggish as though it were not getting enough gas or not shifting into gear. That evening I stooped to fill up the gas tank and upon leaving I was climbing a hill and the car acted up again and made a different sound and again acted as though it were not shifting into gear or not getting enough fuel and the security light (not service engine) came on and stayed on. I immediately phoned my husband and he made arrangements to take it to the dealership (john serretti). We have maintained this vehicle faithfully since we purchased it oil changes, tires rotated etc. All performed at john seretti's every 3/4 months. After reviewing all paperwork received at home for the Impala my husband came across a letter from General Motors mailed in October 2005 stating that some vehicles were experiencing loss of power due to the catalytic converter and if we did indeed have any issues with this to take to the dealer and they would replace it, but if not, nothing needed to be done and this letter was not a recall. The dealer performed a diagnostic test ($90) and found that indeed the catalytic converted was clogged and supposedly caused the spark plugs wire to arc and melt which all had to be replaced at our expense (almost $600). My husband has talked to several mechanics in reference to this and they all agree this could have been a potentially dangerous situation possibly causing the vehicle to catch on fire. GM did cover part of the repairs but in my opinion they should have covered them all because the converter was defective and if carbon had built up to that extent to cause all of this damage and leading me and other mechanics to believe it could very well have started a fire, why wasn't it discovered at the previous inspection-oil change?

- Aliquippa, PA, USA

Mis-diagnosis and willful negligence vehicle was brought in for diagnosis of engine knocking and loss of power upon acceleration at highway speeds. Dealership diagnosed a clogged catalytic converter, however, the symptoms returned within 15 days. Now the dealership says that the engine is damaged and must be replaced at a cost of $5,000. The vehicle was only purchased 6 weeks ago at a cost of $12,000. The first repair was made under warranty, however, now the vehicle is beyond warranty.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

2002 Chevrolet Impala, 72K miles, poor acceleration, over-heating of catalytic converter. Fire is possible. No announced recall, however a service recall was issued and warranty extended due to faulty converter. Dealership will not announce recall, unless a problem occurs.

- Richmond, KY, USA

Engine started to spit and sputter. It got worse. Caller changed fuel filter because the dealer said it might be the problem. While driving the vehicle the car ran fast and tried to take off, and she had to slam the brakes hard, and hold them to T stop car. Dealer said a hole was burned into the manifold, and when they did a diagnostic test, they said a misfire code came up. Problem was with catalytic converter being plugged. Dealer fixed the burned intake manifold before they found that the problem was catalytic converter. That was the only thing wrong with it.

- Redfield, NY, USA

Catalytic converter clogged on 2002 vehicle. The engine was calibrated to run too lean making the exhaust gases too hot, leading to premature failure. Noticed gradual power loss since 50,000 miles but thought it was air filter. Engine light still did turn on. Took in for service and was told it was ok for warranty.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

While driving at 45 mph vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was able to control the vehicle and pulled over. Drove vehicle to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic noticed that the catalytic converter was clogged. This problem caused the catalytic converter to be replaced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Catalytic converter clogged on 2002 vehicle. The engine was calibrated to run too lean making the exhaust gases too hot, leading to premature failure. Noticed gradual power loss since 60,000 miles but thought it was air filter. Finally, I could not get up to highway speeds at 85,000 miles, but the engine light still did not turn on. Took in for service and was told it was out of warranty.

- South Lyon, MI, USA