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 bought my 2004 Chevrolet Impala (3800 V6 engine) new, which has now less than 12,000 miles, & I drove primarily for running errands. One month ago, its body computer memory went bonkers. The day after I returned after xmas, I went to get grocery. As the car was normal the previous day, I did not expect any problem. However, upon finishing shopping 30 minutes later, I found the car (1) honking non-stop, (2) its dome lights could not be turned off, (3) the 'door ajar' warning jingled all the way ' even though I stopped by roadside to ensure all doors were closed. On top of that, (4) the turning signals (both left & right) stopped working. About 5 minutes after returning home and locking up the car, (5) the honking/dome lights/door warning started again. Although I reset the control panel, the problems did not go away. I therefore took the car to the dealer, but their mechanic could not find the causes offhandedly, and an appointment was made to thoroughly check the car with diagnostic instruments. However, on the day of the appointment (1/26/16), everything was normal again, and diagnostic tests could not find anything wrong by the dealer. Today (2/12/16), the turning signals malfunctioned again briefly and worked again, but (6) the instrument panels were all erroneous, with readings of fuel, coolant temperature, tachometer above limits - even when the car is stationary. I expect that it is a matter of time that (7) the speedometer will also go defective. At that time, the dash board will have to be replaced as a whole, costing more than $500 dollars. Obviously, the computer system is not working right. I should add that my car has been maintained regularly with the dealer. I hope my report will bring NHTSA's attention to the above parts/workmanship problems of GM.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact turned off the high beam headlights and the electrical system failed without warning. The contact had to park the vehicle and manipulate the high beam switch on the steering column in order for the lighting/electricity to return. In addition, the vehicle received a recall repair for the ignition key where the key was replaced. Afterwards, when the key was in the ignition and turned, the vehicle failed to start. Once the vehicle was started and the key was in the on position, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact had to manipulate the key in the start position several times in order to start the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch on the steering column and body control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that because the vehicle was over 10 years old, they were unable to assist with the repair. The failure recurred. The failure mileage was 42,536.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. Two years ago, the contact noticed that the instrument panel lights dimmed without warning. Two days later, the contact smelled a burning odor and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a tune up. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was never the same after the tune up. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V400000 (electrical system) and 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 128,000. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Faulty/worn ignition switch in this vehicle will generate the following issues: (determined through trial and error due to chronic electrical issues:) 1). Engagement and disablement of ABS system because of lack of good power to the system from the ignition switch circuit. 2). entire loss of directional system(turn signals) again because of lack of good power to the system from the ignition switch circuit. These two situations lead to vehicle that is unsafe to drive at the time of the failure which may happen stationary or while in motion. These issues were intermittent and would happen at any time. Ignition switch in a vehicle should not generate issues such as this.
The only recall I was able to find out was for the ignition, . my transmission just went out 11/19/2015, it will not switch into gear, it starts just fine no check engine light but left me stranded. Turned the car off and when I started it again it drove just fine, so I slowly drove it home. I don't get on the highway no more because it lacks power the get up is not there mind you yes I have 225K miles on it but I have had about 10 trouble codes and I managed to get rid of them all when I cleaned the tps, aic, and map sensor new egr valve, oil change tune up transmission flush all has been done this year and still on the highway it struggles, I did have one code that popped up 0420 so at this point I have been thinkin to just replace the catalytic converter when I get my taxes, but the problem is just getting worse and worse, so then I am thinking its the fuel pump, I mean my alternator is fine, I know I am sick of the security light always coming on, my left blinker only works in the day time at night never which is the weirdest thing, my windshield blades only work on the fastest setting, in the winter when it rains or snows my doors when we get inside to lock them the lock and unlock and the panel says door ajar when there is no door ajar, it will drive just fine as it nothing was ever wrong. Inconsistent and whats even weird is now the check engine light wont even come on after my transmission failed me in the middle of the road you would think the computer was able to record something. Once tranny fixd I will get the ignition recall fixed originally a loud noise was coming from engine like a screeching noise so I figured it was the alternator now that noise is gone but the minute I felt it wasn't the tranny, my car at the light would not go at all until I turned it off and back on. Please help
- Denver, CO, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after multiple attempts. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition switch was replaced but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
When trying to crank vehicle passlock code won't allow car to crank until after 10 minutes. The security light will blink until its ready to crank again. Vehicle was stationary.
The check engine light and other warning indicator lights come on while vehicle is in motion. The radio and air conditioner fail to function properly when the warning lights flicker on. Therefore I am checking to see if there is a recall on this particular problem...............
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the ignition switch needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the key was turned to start the vehicle, it failed to start and the security warning light illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While operating the vehicle, the low beam and high beam lights failed to work. The contact had to maneuver the switch to get the low beams and high beams to work. The contact was concerned that the failure could happen again without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 98,270.
While driving on the freeway on a black night the headlights suddenly went out completely. The dash lights remained on and everything else was normal. After braking to an emergency stop I discovered that if I flicked the dimmer switch the lo-beam would come on. Some time later, when I flicked the dimmer switch the hi-beams came back on. This situation happened periodically since then but I could also regain some light by flicking the dimmer. On September 4, 2015 on a busy highway at night the lights went out and I could not flick the dimmer switch. It would not click. It seemed to be jammed so no lights. At present I have headlights (bright only) if I hold the dimmer switch up. As soon as I let it go all lights go out.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact activated the right turn signal and heard an abnormal noise, but no signal illuminated at the time of the turn. The contact stated that the battery and brake lights illuminated intermittently. This was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the multi function switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 141,151.
I have replace the ignition switch, starter three times in two years, the alternator and three batteries in two years. Also had several frequent tune ups. There is something going on with the electrical system.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds, the low beam head lamps failed to work. The contact had to apply the high beams each time the failure recurred. Also, the turn signals failed to work when applied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. MA 10/19/2015
The transmission shift sensor has had to be replaced 2times in the past 8 year due to it being faulty. I am not sure what kind of a safety issue this could be but it really starts just randomly jerking into gear for no reason, I had it replaced 8 years ago and now again it is getting done, on top of that the ignition pass lock sensor has been causing the car not to start and from everything I have research this is a problem on GM cars from 2000-2004, I filed several complaints on car complaints.com and you can clearly see there is a problem. It's going to cost me over $1100 to get theses two things fixed. I am very upset that Chevy chooses to ignore these problems. Over the past 4 months I have been stranded over 10 times because my car just wouldn't start. It took the shop a few days to even diagnosis it because they had to get them both to act up due to the computer not storing codes.it seems to me there is some electrical issues with this year but GM chooses to ignore these complaints
Vehicle stalled in traffic on various occasions, had it towed to local mechanic twice. On other occasions he provided advice to circumvent the problem, most occasions was to wait, remove and reinsert the key and start the car. Took the car into the local dealer (now bill kay), they advised that the ignition switch would have to be replaced (at an exorbitant cost to me). I had our local mechanic replace the switch, and it's been fine since. The problem is that I have two key for the car, one for the ignition switch and another for the doors and trunk. When I received the recall I contacted bill kay, relayed the specifics of my issue, and advised that I was not seeking reimbursement for all my expenses, but would appreciate them rekeying the vehicle so that I could use one key for the ignition, doors and trunk. They advised that this recall did not cover the ignition, and provided no resolution. Have contacted them several times with the same result.
The vats system will not let me start my car for 10 to 20 minutes. The system has broken down and my thinking is that GM should have a recall to fix the issue.
When you try start vehicle security light comes on and vehicle does not start. There are many reports of this issue noted online and customers are spending money on batteries and other parts without a fix. GM needs to fix this issue seems like many notes are indicating disgust with the company not responding to this issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pullman, WA, USA