I'm sick of this unreliable car! used to be my favorite make of cars, not any more! I also had a lumina with the same problem. It cost me around 1500 before I finally got fed up and traded it in thinking it was that particular vehicle with the problem. To my dismay it turns out it is a general manufacturing defect. Since it has not been recalled, begin to suspect it is not a random or accidental defect. Looks to me like it is intentional to inspire people to purchase new cars more often. I believe the cars should be recalled and the problem fixed or Passlock system disabled at the owners choice and GMC's expense.

This has been a problem on several occasions over the last three years, the last time was 6/28/11. I didn't know this was such a problem until then, I thought the car was just possessed. The no start situation is very strange, it also happened to my 03 S10 in that case I changed the starter and never had a problem since. As for the 03 Impala I've cleaned fuses, changed the starter, changed the ignition relay under the hood at least twice, anyway 6/28/11 was the final straw and that's when I discovered this website. I have done a lot of research since that day and from most of what I read the problem is with the Body Control Module. I couldn't locate this device that is supposed to be under the dash near the steering column, however I did see that there is a BCM fuse in the fuse block. So out of curiosity I took out the fuse and attempted to start the car, it did start, interesting, so I tested to see how the power gets to the BCM. When you turn on the ignition it sends power to the BCM, with the ignition off there is no power at all at the fuse. So I left the fuse out, everything seems to work fine without it in, so I will monitor to see how this attempt goes. For those having this problem, try removing the fuse, it may just work. I will re post if this did not fix the problem. The security light would come on also, that hasn't come on with the fuse out either. Regards, Joseph

Update from Nov 19, 2011: I had to have the car fixed at the dealer for just under a $1,000 with tax. They had to replace the BCM, and the ignition switch and reprogram. Just had this done about two weeks ago, they give a one year 12,000 mile warranty with it. The dealer also has a way to test each component, there first inclination was it was the ignition switch, after diagnosis, they told me the bcm ( body control module) also was defective. The ignition switch is linked to the security light coming on. My suggestion is take it to the dealer and let them take care of it, cause the parts your replacing need to be programed to your car by the dealer anyway. And trust me when I tell you, my car has let me down at the worst times imaginable, which extremely frustrated me. I now have piece of mind that it will start, which to me is priceless.

Update from Nov 19, 2011: I had to have it fixed at the dealer, they replaced the bcm and the ignition switch and reprogram.

I have had this car for 7 years now and for past 3 years my car has had security problems. I have different shops check it and they all say they can't fix the problem, only the dealer can do it ! we all know going to the dealer you will be paying an arm and leg ! So far I have tried everything, putting in neutral, waiting 10 min. then start, disconnecting battery, those things used to work but now my car wont start at all! I had mechanic check car yesterday and they found nothing wrong with the car. They do realize it's something with the SECURITY SYSTEM and told me go buy another key. Well I bought the key and car still wont start ! Now they're going to take the ignition out and see if that's the problem ! What the HELL is going on I need my CAR FIXED !

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS TRYING TO GET HOME AFTER WORK, I HAD RECENTLY HAD A THERMOSTAT INSTALLED AS THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I HAD ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT,WHEN I WAS TRYING TO START THE CAR AND TOOK OTHERS ADVICE AND ALLOWED THE EXTRA TEN MINUTES AFTER I DISCOVERED THAT MOVING THE GEARSHIFT,AND REPOSITIONING THE STEERING WHEEL WERE NOT THE REAL REASON THE STUPID DAMN THING WOULD NOT START. A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS A MECHANIC SUGGESTED USING THE CANNED AIR TO CLEAN OUT THE KEY/IGNITION AND ANOTHER FRIEND SUGGESTED ONLY USING 1 KEY AND NO WEIGHT ON THE KEY RING. I TRIED ALL OF THESE BUT JUST HAVE LEARNED TO ADD 10 MINUTES TO MY SCHEDULE WHICH IS NOT AT ALL CONVENIENT. TODAY A FELLOW AT AUTO ZONE SAID MAYBE IT WAS THE BATTERY GOING LOW BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT EITHER AS.MY BATTERY IS NOT THAT OLD.SEEMS LIKE ANY TIME I HAVE WORK DOWN THE DAMN SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON.....BUT AT 60 MILES AN HOUR IT IS A BIT DISARMING.....

I have had an issue with my car just not starting all the time.My husband would come, who is a technician, and change out fuses or jump car, change my keys or even just raise and lower steering column and it would start. No click no stutter nothing. I have two children in which I need to pick up everyday and drop off and worrying about whether or not my car will start or should I even shut my car down while going in store is really annoying. Can't even count how many times I've called either my husband or his friends to come and save me and it starts right up! Seriously? Really not satisfied with this car.

I find that the location of the MAF sensor was a bad design. Not only is it on the aluminium block of this air intake on the engine, but it also gets quite hot. All others that i have seen have been mounted in the rubber air flow connector coming from the air filtering system. I believe that this unit keeps failing ( Approx. every three months) because of overheating. I discovered that there is not even a gasket between the MAF sensor and the aluminium block it connects to. Metal to metal connection with electronic components...Hmmm...Poor design in my opinion. cannot even find a replacement part right now as all the part stores in this region have them on back order. Have to run the vehicle with the unit unplugged, as that is the only way it will run. Makes it hard to start in the mornings though, like having an older car requiring a manual choke.

I am having the worst time with my Chevy Impala. The security light comes on and I will eventually not be able to start the car. It's been going on for a while. When the car first would not start, I had it towed to where I purchased the car and of course it started right up. It will start for about 2 or 3 months straight and all of I sudden it will not start. I can be at the grocery store, work, dropping my 4 year old daughter off to school or the babysitter, etc. Its a real pain. I have been late for appointments and work on many occasions due to this problem.

When I first got the car I loved (still do) but know I think I made a mistake on getting this car. My regular mechanic could not fix it and suggested that I take it to a locksmith. I did that and they told me to leave the key in the on position until the security light stop flashing and try to start it. I should do this 3 time and it should start up. Sometime it takes 3 times, sometimes 6 but it will finally start up. Its just a plan inconvience. It unsafe and yes it should be a recall on this problem.

As to the fact this car will not start 1 out of every 12 times due to having nothing working with the key turned, I'm glad I am not required to have this car as a quick getaway vehicle. I am amazed that the Police have this vehicle in their arsenal. maybe that's why this car is good for the police who do the radar patrols. It has to be parked to be any good. I would like to know if there is any way to permanently disable the anti theft rig in this car, maybe that would help. or maybe... the cars are all on the same frequency and somewhere in the world someone is stealing this car and onstar disables it for the owner...therefore disabling every other impala out there at the same time. Hmmmm.

I think with so many Impala's having this same problem that the manufacturer should have to do a remedy at their cost.