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.
Driving at night, headlights go out within 30-60 seconds of switching from low beams to high beams. Headlights stay out until the high beam switch is flipped again. It started happening once in a great while spring of '09. As time has passed, it now occurs almost every time high beams are used. Cannot find a dealer or mechanic that can duplicate the problem with the car in possession, or that has a solution for the problem.
Taillights on vehicle fill with water and trunk fills with water when it rains. Dealer has replaced rear panel several times...problem persisted. Dealer 'fixed' problem by drilling holes in taillights to drain, but trunk still fills. Dealer removed plug from trunk. Trunk is full of mold. Contacted GMC several times, they did absolutely nothing. Smells really bad in summer months. Cannot insert key in lock, panel is on crooked. It is good enough for dealer, should be good enough for me"?"
-the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while he was driving down the highway at approximately 70 mph, all of the vehicle lights (interior and exterior) failed to turn on when the sun went down and it became dark. He tried to use the high beam and low beam lights to turn them on manually. He pulled over and after several attempts, the lights turned on. In April 2010, while driving, the lights turned off again. He tried the high beam switch and the lights turned back on. He took the vehicle to the dealership but was told unless he could duplicate the problem, they could do nothing to assist him. He had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was 98,947. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Headlights and dash lights go out when bright beam is turned on. When you switch back to dims it comes back on. Afraid to use the high beams. Has happened twice since owning this vehicle. No recalls on this issue.
The lights on the car when on the brights will just shut off, and it only leaves the marker lights lit, until you pull the headlight knob out.. will do this intermittently.. has happened very often, everytime the brights are on.
- Byron, GA, USA
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I own a 2005 Impala ls and while driving at night the headlights go out. This has happened 12 times with my vehicle. The last time it happened I was driving on the interstate at 75mph and they went out. I cycled the light switch 3 times and they went back on. I have done some research on the internet and have found over 60 people reporting the same problem. I think there are a lot more people with this problem that haven't reported it. I contacted GM but had no luck. This is a serious problem and would like to know who I need to contact before anyone gets in an accident and gets hurt or dies.
Had problems with headlights going out weather it's low beam or high beam mechanic had to replace turn signal/high beam switch and then that one only lasted 3-4 months. This could really pose a danger has the headlights go out completely, the only thing I could due is hold back on lever to keep high beams activated. The marker lights would stay on. To have this work done is getting expensive if I have to keep replacing this switch. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. I bought this vehicle used 2005 Chevy Impala.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact noticed that the instrument panel gauges were inoperative and displayed inaccurate readings. In addition, the windshield wipers failed sporadically, the rear passenger tail light was poorly illuminated, and the battery failed spontaneously. When the failures occured, she smelled a burning odor as if the wires were burning. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was unknown.
Tuesday, 1/27/09, while driving on a local country road to work at 6:15 am, vehicle headlights and other exterior lights went dark. Dashboard lights stayed on, but other exterior lights went dark for 8 to 10 seconds. Same thing occurred again Monday morning, 02/02/09. No dimming or warning, lights just went off and I was driving in darkness. 02/03/09 took Impala to GM dealer to run diagnostic. They determined problem with the multifunctional high/low beam lever switch (this unit also houses the cruise control, windshield wipers, and directional light controls). Est for repairs $735. 02/07/09 had the unit replaced at another garage for $435. I kept the defective unit. Have since done research to find other people reporting this same problem occurring on other Impala ranging at least from model years 2001 thru 2005. In some cases the headlights stayed on, but they were unable to switch the headlights between high and low beam. I feel this is definitely a safety issue. I contacted GM customer service to relate what happened as I believe this is a very serious problem. I feel that due to the high potential for accidents involving injury or even death, this multifunctional lever switch should be "recalled".
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The headlights failed 4-5 intermittently for over three months. When the high beam lights were used, the low beams failed. While driving, the contact heard a clicking noise before the lights failed. The low beam lights would illuminate again when he turned the high beam switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 62,961. Updated 3/19/09 the dealer was not able to duplicate the consumers conern. Updated 03/25/09.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 30 mph at night on normal road conditions, the headlights unexpectedly lost power. The failure occurred intermittently. The headlights activated automatically when the engine was started. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle will be taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 55,000.
Headlight intermittent failure on high beam. Click to low beam and lights come back on. Disconcerting when it happens at night at high speed. Chevrolet dealer replaced body control module at $362, but did not solve problem.
Driving down paved road headlights will go out sometimes they will come back on and sometimes they won't. I also have reported my speedometer showing 80 or 90 mph when I am driving at normal speeds and 40 or 50 mph when completely stopped - sometimes it will not work at all. Vehicle has not been repaired due to the cost involved. Also have had a problem with my power steering pump and a wheel hub. Hub replaced and paid out of pocket and it did not correct the problem. Paid $600 to replace the hub. Had to replace the tires because of that defect.
I own an 05 Impala we have had the headlight fail on us about 6-12 times we will be driving down the road and the headlights will go out I have tried running with the switch on and they still go out its has even happened to me on a curve I just about put the car in the ditch ive asked my dad witch is a GM certified mechanic about it and there's not a known problem that he knows of I would like this fixed before I do go in the ditch and my family is with or I get a call from the cops that my wife has smashed the car there is a problem and GM should have to fix the problem before some one is killed from it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sisters, OR, USA