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 was driving on I95 merging onto 175 in columbia, md, my speed was 65mph. My "service traction control" light and "reduced engine power" light came on and my car shut completely off. I had no control over the car, could not apply brakes. I put the car in park and turned the ignition switch to off for a few minutes. Luckily there wasn't any traffic behind me cause they would have hit me and killed me. I waited about 5-10 min turned the car on proceeded to my destination. The check engine light stayed on. I called the service department at bob bell Chevrolet on kane street in baltimore. I was several miles from there they couldn't come get the car so I drove it to them. They had my car approximately 2-3 days and could not replicate the incident. Since this time it has happened 8-10 times or more since May 11, 2014 I've called the service department and was to continue to drive it, they can look at it, no codes registered in December when they looked at it so they don't know what's wrong. They want me to bring my car in but don't want to give me a rental. This is too dangerous. I am scared everytime I get behind the wheel of my car.
In February 2014, the traction control and ABS warning light began coming on, in my 2009 Impala, when making a left turn. The lights began to come on more frequently and would stay on for longer times. I took the car to the dealer and they replaced the left hub. This solved the problem for about a month and then the traction control and the ABS warning lights began appearing again. Each time the lights would stay on for a longer time. The car is now in the shop for the second time for this problem.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the brakes, rotors and calipers failed and were replaced. The failure recurred 15,100 miles later and the rotors and calipers would require replacing a second time. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 31,000. Updated 04/30/13
This has happened several times in the last 2 years, really sporadic sometimes two or three times a day sometimes not at all. While driving down the highway a message pops up on my display stating service traction control and engine power reduced. On several occasions it completely shuts down the vehicle; brakes, steering and all. Fortunately I have not had any accidents although there have been some close calls. I have found several forums with numerous people with the same issue. A recall is prominent!
There appears to be many issues related to brakes and suspension for the Chevy Impala. After only 10K miles, the brakes began to pulsate. The dealership resurfaced them. They were fine for a bit longer but then the issue reoccured. I am not sure if its a overheating issue or what but it has had other brake and suspension issues as well. There is under 30K miles on the car and it has already had: Left front tensioner replaced, rear left sway bar removed/reinstalled, rotors refinish, and a whole new set of tires now. We have had many other GM vehicles over the years from both Chevy and Buick. No other vehicle has given us as many issues in such a short period of ownership that this car has. It all appears to be related to the brakes and suspension. Based on online searches, we are not alone as many Impala owners have had similar brake related issues/complaints.
- Fraser, MI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Cost over $483. To have dealer replace brakes on this vehicle. They also said they were replacing rear rotors in the deal. When car was returned we noticed that while going downhill, applying the brakes that the front shook violently. Called service mgr at GM dealer who performed this work, and he told me not to use brakes going downhill to maintain speed, but to gear the car down with the use of transmission. I live in southwestern pa where there are hills everywhere. Do I damage the transmission using this process suggested by the GM service mgr, or use brakes" thought that was why cars had brakes on them anyhow?"
This vehicle is very difficult to maintain control when applying the brakes due to the warping of the rotors. After researching information on the rotors to a 2009 Chevy Impala lt, I see that there are many complaints about constantly replacing them on this vehicle. At first I thought it was my brakes, but after paying that "over-the-head price at the dealership" to inspect further, my suspicion led me to believe that it could have something to do with my rotors; the findings were that it was indeed my rotors and not just 1, but all four. Something has to be done about this because no one should have to constantly replace rotors, due to some poor engineering on certain components. I almost got into 3+ accidents trying to apply my brakes when drivers decided that they were going to engage in poor, life-threatening judgments. Applying the brakes to these easily warped rotors, even when coming down from a speed of 50, causes the pedal, steering, and entire car to shake as if there was an earthquake or you are basically like fred flinstone and using your feet on the roadway as oppose to your engine.
The vehicle traction control system (tcs) - "service system" warning message appeared ( lit up ) on dash display as the vehicle operator attempted to pull out into traffic, making a left turn onto the roadway.the warning message was accompanied by a grinding noise in area of the left front wheel and a sudden decrease in engine power and self slowing/braking of the vehicle suddenly, causing other vehicle operators on the roadway to take evasive action to prevent a collision. The owner contacted several dealers about this problem as the "service traction control" warning activated three times previously but without power loss on those occasions. The vehicle owner was advised by all the dealers that they "can only diagnose the problem when the warning light is lit as it is a random problem." This is a life threatening defect that is widely known by Impala owners and Chevrolet dealers for the past seven or eight years and nothing has been done to effect a safety recall. Google { Impala traction control problem and you will see many, many complaints about this defect.
With brake application the vehicle vibrates, shudders, and the steering wheel becomes hard to hold. Condition is most evident on down hill braking. After brakes cool the problem is less noticeable. The problem can then happen at any given brake application, without warning. The vehicle is hard to control in this condition and the driver and occupants are startled by the vibrations taking away the drivers Focus on driving.
I noticed some time back that when applying the brakes that I would get a rough vibration, such as with bad rotors. I took the car to the dealer that I purchased it at and they looked it over and stated that everything was fine. Since then everytime I hit the brakes the vibrations have only gotten worse, it's to the point now that it violently shakes the entire car and feels as if it's going to jerk the steering wheel right out of my hands. So I made another appointment for this issue and a new one; sometimes my dash lights will flicker and it will tell me it's 102 outside when it's only 70 and automatic tire pressure sensor is way, way off. I have also noticed recently that my front tires have become excessively worn on the outer edges to where there is only tread in the center and this shouldn't be a problem with only 21,500 miles on the vehicle; I should have been able to get about twice that out of the factory tires. At my last appointment they have still said there is no notable problems with my Impala.
We live near mountain drives. On steep descents the brakes warp and chatter to the point that the car shakes violently and is difficult to hold steady. The last trip the shaking was so violent that a cup was thrown from the cup holder in the front of the car. This has happened three times and three times the dealer has not been able to correct the problem. It is extremely dangerous and we no longer take our car into the nearby mountains. We have a car we cannot drive safely in our area.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated whenever you are driving down a hill the steering wheel began to shake violently and the brakes overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who installed new rotors under the warranty but within two months the identical failure occurred. The vehicle was taken again to a mechanic who installed new brake pads and heat shields behind the rotors so they would not overheat but the failure recurred within a month. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 35,000.
The steering shakes so violently when brakes are applied when needed to slow suddenly in traffic or leaving the interstate that have to release the brake and apply brake several time to slow down. Installed new rotors and less then 3000 miles had to have them turned also balance all wheels, they warped again after not even 500 miles. I'm afraid when I need to use the brakes in a emergency situation I am not going to be able to stop in time.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated rotors on the vehicle were warped. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the failure was caused because the contacts foot remained on the brake pedal. The contact stated the failure was a manufacturers defect, because they live in the mountains and the brakes are used often; but the failure never happened with any other vehicle. The failure mileage and current mileages was 28,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving down a hill, he applied the brakes and the vehicle began to violently vibrate. The dealer repaired the rotors on more then one occasion, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but did not assist with the repairs. The vehicle was not taken back for repair. The failure mileage was 24,504 and the current mileage was 34,500.
At 10,000 miles the vehicle would shudder under high speed braking ie. A freeway exit ramp. Dealer turned rear rotors. At 16,000 miles vehicle would shudder during high speed braking and when on downhill mountains the shudder would lead to the car bouncing on the road. Dealer turned front rotors. Now at 40,000 miles the brakes are only 1/2 worn and both rotors are warped. Dealer claims the problem is due to driving style. No warranty repair.
I took the vehicle for maintenance and for a problem with the brakes vibrating and grinding. The vehicle has been to the dealer six times. I have contacted GM twice. The first time, they authorized services. They are looking in to it now. I do not feels safe in this vehicle when driving on mountains. I am concerned when the brakes get hot, they will not work. I live in the mountains and avoid certain areas because of the brakes. I have talked to several people with the same problem with GM products. I feel like this is a problem from the factory and they should issue a recall before someone is hurt. I bought this vehicle new and I am very frustrated with GM for not taking responsibility for this problem. Updated 06/08/11
While applying my brakes the front end shakes and steering wheel shakes so badly, it makes you want to not use the brakes and pull your foot off the brake pedal. The brakes appear to have hard spots in the rotor. There are 35,900 miles on this car which we purchased brand new in July 2009. My wife drives this car and she says it has vibrated since 13,000 miles, but has recently been a more almost violent vibration when coming to a stop. This happens when coming off an expressway ramp after driving maybe 20-40 miles and not even using the brakes prior to having to apply on the exit on a gradual slowdown, not a sudden stop. This causes one not to want to drive this car. I was a master tech on trucks for 20 years, and just driving this one time, I knew the probable cause, I was not just guessing. I checked the web and was astounded to see the car manufacturer I had always aligned myself to, in the complaint section responding negatively to customers. I called 2 local dealers today to try and get the car in to be repaired and asked both service reps if it would be covered under warranty, and they both in the cincinnati area said no, it was a wear problem. Waiting to hear a response from this complaint.
I was traveling South on 395 going to bishop ca. When on the downhill side on stepped on my brakes to slow down when the car started to vibrate and shutter violently, when I took the car 2009 Chevy Impala to the dealer they said my rotors were warped, this was at 4200 miles so they turned the rotors. At 7900 miles the dealer then changed both rotors because they warped again, at 13000 miles the dealer changed front calipers and installed a shield kit to help cool the rotors plus turned the rotors again. Now at 21,000 miles the car shudders and shakes like before and when I called GM cust serv they told me there nothing they can do for me and I would have to pay for the rotors this time.as this is a on going problem that has not been fixed I feel GM is turning their back on there customers with owell attitude.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA