This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 2004 Chevy Impala that has had problems with warped rotors, which I had replaced. Then a wheel bearing went bad. Took vehicle to Chevy dealer. They diagnosed it as left front hub bearing being bad. I had left front hub bearing replaced and problem wasn't fixed. Turned out it was right front hub bearing that was bad, so both ended up replaced. A few weeks later "service traction system" light started coming on every day and shuts off the ABS and traction control systems. Outside temperature and weather conditions don't make any difference. Also having problems with headlights going from high beams to dim. Sometimes it takes two or three attempts before it will go from high beams to dim. I've never had these kinds of problems with Chevrolet's before. I've had Chevrolet's with 150,000 miles on them and have never had to replace rotors, wheel bearings, or had ABS problems before, just normal maintenance.
We have a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, which is a piece of crap. We purchased this car used, it had 26,000 miles on it. I filed a complaint w/ Chevy on phone number 866-790-5700. Our case # is 71-578092134. They were no help, since our warranty had expired. Our traction system & check engine light kept coming on. The traction system shut off & would not turn back on. It also knocked off the ABS system. Not safe. We took it to a local mechanic, the repairs were a new thermostat & thermostat sensor, & drivers side rear hub bearing. The cost was $500, the dealership wanted @1100.00!!!!!!! for the same repairs. The repair shop stated to me that they have approximately 5-10 Impala a week in their shop for the same repair!!! it appears GM screwed up. We are not the only ones who have this problem. We also own a 1995 GMC 1500 Sierra, have not had to fix anything as major as the Impala. GM's warranty is the worst in the business. GM was no help at all.
While applying the brakes for the first time after start up at low speeds (less than 20mph) the antilock brakes kick in when not needed. For about 2-3 seconds, there is extremely reduced braking ability. After this initial time period, the whole antilock braking system shuts down and also turns off the traction control system. Once the shutdown has taken place, the car's braking system functions as if there was no antilock brakes on the vehicle. Took car to dealership which indicated that the wheel sensor was bad and could be replaced for $600. Also while driving on the interstate, noticed that the speedometer was stuck at 65mph, regardless of speed. When turned off, the vehicle still read 65mph. Was unable to determine proper speed. Noticed that the vehicle reset the speed 5mph lower each time the ignition switch was moved from off to on. Multiple cycles of turning the ignition switch on and off finally reset the speedometer to 0mph. Don't know if this is only a temporary fix for a problem that will probably get worse. Although not a serious issue, the tachometer does the same thing.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 8 mph, the contact heard a loud knocking noise coming from the steering column. She also noticed that the ABS and traction warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the ABS and steering column. Two weeks later, while driving 60 mph, the contact felt excessive vibration coming from the steering column. She filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 29,901 and current mileage was 32,000.
My 2004 Impala's ABS trouble light came on as did the "service traction system" light. The dealers diagnosis based upon ABS scanner codes was that the left rear wheel speed sensor had failed/shorted. GM's sealed wheel hub design on this vehicle meant that in order to replace the wheel speed sensor the entire hub had to be replaced. Since the vehicle has just over 40K miles and is out of warranty, my total cost was over $690 including parts, labor, and taxes. This is absurd and ridiculous. It is unacceptable for the consumer to have to experience this kind of outrageous cost simply to get a sensor replaced. If it were not for the necessity of replacing the entire hub, there is no way that this repair should even cost $100. As a mechanical engineer, I recognize poor design and poor logic when I see it, and this situation certainly falls under those categories. I am extremely dissatisfied that I had no choice but to pay this in order to restore operation of the ABS and traction systems. If this is standard GM design practice, I will definitely consider that a negative when purchasing my next vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ashville, OR, USA