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.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while traveling 65 mph, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The failure and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 06/17/13
I was driving on the hwy when the message appear on the boar "engine power reduce " I was scared because I have never had that problem. I when online and saw that people were having the same problem. It was weird because they all seen to be in the same month like if it was program to happen. So I want an explanation on what's going on with my car" what's the message about? do I have to change the motor " I just don't know what to do anymore this car has a lot of problem I just want some answers. Thanks for reading.
Turned car on and the check engine light came on. Took to mechanic who said it was the air injection solenoid valve and that it is such a common part replacement on these models that they keep the exact part in stock! they want over $400 to repair.
Reduced engine power light/ servicetraction control light flash across my dashboard every morning when I drive my car. The car slows down and will not gain speed. It does this every morning. This issue need to be a recall. This problem is happening to every Chevy Impala owners I know.
- Albany, GA, USA
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The vehicle suddenly decelerated and displayed messages: "reduced engine power" and "service traction control". this was the second incident. The first incident resulted in the engine shutting off completely after the same initial symptoms described; locking up the steering during rush hour traffic (estimated 65 mph, no injures, approx. 4 month ago). Our mechanic cleaned out the throttle body sensor after the first incident, and phoned the dealership with the trouble codes. The dealership refused warranty service as the trouble codes had gone by the time the car had arrived at their shop, and would not take our mechanic's phone conversation as evidence. We were informed that the three services commonly performed to fix the problem were to replace the throttle body, throttle body sensor, and accelerator pedal; the latter not covered under warranty.
Driving on freeway, check engine light come pn...few miles on freeway car jerk...message on dash engine power loss then throttle body disabled the engine shuts off while im driving 60 mph...18 wheeler blind me so I swerve off freeway due to steering wheel hard to turn...I sit on side of freeway F 10 minutes...turn key and no sound. Car will not start...call friend for help. After 30 minutes car starts I could have been killed with car shutting down on freeway...GM fix issues. Or pay big later..death trap.
As I was driving on the interstate all of a sudden I feel the vehicle slow down and the message center displays "traction control off" "engine power reduced". I was traveling about 65mph at the time however to maintain that speed after this happened I had to press the gas pedal further. The stabilitrak light stayed on for a days also.
I have a 2009 Chevy Impala lt & was driving aproximately 50mph down the road when all of a sudden the "service traction control message came on, the check engine light came on & engine power will be reduced message came on". the cars speed dropped down to about 40mph & would hardly go. I didn't know what was going on. It really scared me because I thought my car was going to cut off. I did get to work safely but I am terrified to drive this car. I searched message boards on the internet & came across 297 messages from other people who own GM vehicles that this has happened to. A couple of people said their cars actually cut off on them while going down the highway at a high rate of speed. One was involved in an accident. The problem from what I have read has something to do with the accelerator pedal position sensor or throttle body. From what I have read GM knows about this problem but has not done a recall on this. A couple of people posted that their local Chevy dealership covered the repair even though their cars were no longer under warranty. I called my local Chevy dealership and they told me that they couldn't do anything about it. They said that I would have to pay for repairs myself. To me, this is unacceptable. I could have a wreck & get killed or kill someone else. I don't understand why a company would clearly know about a problem with their vehicles and do nothing about it. I think that GM should cover the repairs to my vehicle and to any others that are having this problem.
I have a 2009 Chevrolet Impala that I purchased in 2010. Several months later, the car began to read check engine, service traction control, reduced engine power, then stalls and jerks while I'm driving. It happens intermittently. I took it to autozone to have them check the computer code. They said it was the accelerator pedal position sensor. The car only has about 50,000 miles on it. I am planning O taking it to the dealership because it is happening more often and I am afraid that I will have an accident as a result of this problem.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the engine stalled with the illumination of the check engine and traction control warning indicators. The contact restarted the vehicle and it resumed as normal. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Purchased vehicle on 9/6/2012 used with 27,479 miles. On 9/19/2012 with 27,960 miles, I was accelerating on an onramp getting on a highway and two messages appeared on my dash: "reduced engine power" and "service traction control as well as the check engine light. Experience rough and hesitant shifting between gears and could not go faster than 35mph. Was able to safely navigate home on side roads. I took it to the dealer I purchased it from for service and was told it was reading code P2138 and the throttle pedal assembly needed to be replaced. The service was covered under the dealer's warranty and I was set to go. Flash forward to 10/24/2012 with 29,355 miles, I was driving on a side road and the same messages came up. I called on star and they performed a diagnostic which resulted in the computer reading codes P2138 and C0242. Experienced out of control wheel spinning and sensitive braking. Took it to a dealer in the area I was currently in traveling for business and they could not diagnose with any issue. All codes and lights were not engaged. I still did not feel safe driving my vehicle due to problem with accelerator and had towed to the purchasing dealer near my home. They also could not diagnose with any issue as they could not duplicate the error. This is a serious safety concern and a problem (especially on the highway) with a popular model. I have also filed a complaint with GM on this issue and am hoping to have it resolved immediately.
While traveling on the expressway a check traction system warning appeared along with reduced engine power. After approx. 10 miles the engine shut down and I was forced to pull off to the side of the road. I shut the engine off and attempted to restart and the starter would not engage. After waiting approx. 3 minutes I was able to start the car and warning system was gone however the check engine light remained.
As I was driving to golf on Monday September 24th, on interstate I-80 heading West, my 2009 Chevy Impala onboard computer stated the following, service traction control, reduced power, starter disabled and the check engine light all at roughly the same time. My car completely died and I had no power steering. Luckily I was able to coast out of harms way and get to the side of the road. I checked some wires under the hood and didn't find anything loose. When I attempted to start the car back-up, the onboard computer flashed, starter disabled. I sat with the car for about 15 minutes and tried once more. This time it started and ran normal, but the check engine like was on(still is). How scary is this really? enough to make me hate driving this car anywhere. Not to mention I'm a single dad of 4, who needs to get to work, school and many other things.
While traveling on I-95 at about 75mph, the following message appeared on the dash, " repair traction control system... engine power is reducing". thankfully, I was approaching a rest area, so I safely coasted to a secure area. After escaping a potentially fatal accident, I researched this traction control message, only to discover innumerable customers had the same problem. This issue should be investigated since it is a universal problem, one that is endangering the lives of GM and other drivers on the highway.
I was driving to work on the freeway then I noticed that my car's RPM started bouncing up and down from two and a half to two and back and forth and then my check engine light turns on and says engine power is reduced and as well as the service traction light turns on. I see that I have to press on the gas pedal a lot more further down for my car to stay at 60 mph and after 2 minutes of this my car's RPM drops to 0. my car turns off with the car reading starter disabled and service throttle. I had to pull to the shoulder. This incident had made me late for work and this incident happens a lot now. This can happen from once every two or three weeks to twice a week. Just recently my car's seat belts will become undone without anyone clicking the button for it to release. Also recently my service airbags light has came on.
After braking to make a turn, the following warnings came on: Reduced engine power, service stabilatrak, and traction control off. Plus the engine warning light came on. Fortunately no accident occurred from this and I did experience reduction in engine power. These warnings remained on from the onset until this morning, 06/25/12, when I checked it again. Now the warnings are not there. I started the car and moved it to see if they would come back on and so far, nothing. I have read that there have been numerous complaints of this problem with GM vehicles particularly this model. I want to add our vehicle to the complaint list due to the uncertainty of dependability of the car and the potential for serious problem and potential for accident.. I hope that with enough complaints, a recall will be issued by GM.
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- Walton, NY, USA