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.
Was driving when the traction control light came on and message came across saying service traction control: Then check engine light started flashing rapidly at the same time. Follow by a very loud knocking noise from the engine. Then speed would not accelerate. Turned on flashers and coasted into parking lot. Vehicle had troubles restarting and would not move. Steering wheel was hard to turn. Tries to die while idling after you get it to start. Did diagnostics and code P0300 random misfire detection power train unable to establish a link to the vehicle. Fuel system 2 is ol, lift at 0%, spark plug 13.5, fuel level low 38.8, ECU 14.417, low acceleration. Contacted local Chevy dealership and was told it will cost $35 to tow it to their shop and about $85 just to run a diagnostic on their machine. If it is a lifter the cost will be over $700 to get fixed. I purchased this automobile in August 2013 and have just had it a year. So now I have a car payment on a car that doesn't run. I bought it at wk motors in sedalia, mo. This is the second time this car has had issues and without a warranty the dealership wont do anything!!!
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 65 mph, the traction control and engine reduce power warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle's speed suddenly decelerated to 45 mph and the air bag sensor and tire monitoring system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 10/22/2014 updated 4/1/2015
Traction control light comes on. Power is reduced. Car runs and drives well. Driving on interstate the light comes on and cuts power. I had to coast to a stop on the side of the highway. We waited 5 minutes and the car started. The light went off for a day and then came back on. I hear of people replacing parts and the problem not being fixed. I can't afford to do that.
I was driving on the bypass at approximately 65mph, my check engine light came on. About 5 seconds later, my service traction control came on. As I kept driving, I lost power to my engine. Finally, my engine was disabled and I couldn't drive anymore. Luckily, I was able to pull over. After 5 minutes, I was able to start up my car. I replaced the gas pedal (because they state a sensor was bad in the pedal), but my car still keeps doing this. The dealership continues to state the throttle body/gas pedal needs to be replaced. How many times should I have to replace the gas pedal. I have even tried multiple dealers, but they all want to just replace the same component. They state that they must continue to trouble shoot until they can find the true problem. GM needs to help with this.
- Dublin, OH, USA
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During normal conditions warning lights flash "service traction control" along with ABS light. There is a grinding noise in the front left side wheel. Also seat belts light flash. Already replaced accelerator pedal sensor.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the service traction control and the engine power reduced warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the accelerator pedal and the position sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Accelerator pedal position sensor app went out. After checking with several car service departments they said I should report this. Lots of people with this same car our having this problem.
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.
I was on highway one evening and my cruise control was engaged. My power went out completely on the car. I immediately noticed that the car shut down and I was able to coast to the side of the highway. After gathering my bearings, I was able to turn the car back on and drive off the freeway. It was determined that my oil was low (no warning light). Prior to this incident, I was going down hill on a local street when my warning system came on and indicated that I had reduced engine power and traction stability control issues. After going to the dealer, it was determined that my oil was extremely low, however no leaks or cause was ever found. Prior to this, I had to get my accelerator sensor replaced because the reduced engine power warning came on. It was not covered under warranty and I had to pay several hundred dollars to 'fix' the issue. As recently as yesterday, June 16, 2014, I turned my car on and the reduced engine power and traction control warning came on. I immediately turned the car off and checked the oil. It was low but no warning light to indicate this issue came on (same as in the past). I faithfully get my oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever is first. My oil life was at 54% yesterday and I did take it in for an oil change this morning. It is obvious based on others experiences, that this is a known issue amongst 2009 Impala owners. The fact that I did not receive a warning when I was on a major highway and my car shut off while still in motion, is extremely scary and it traumatized my son tremendously. I am hoping that some type of investigation will be initiated because it could result in serious injuries or even death.
Climbing up alpowa grade on highway 12 in Washington state, the check engine light came on, "engine power is reduced" came on in the odometer window. Approximately 35 miles later, beyond Dodge junction and before starbuck turnoff, there was another message flashed in the odometer window, "ignition switch disabled. Service engine" the engine shut down, and the power steering became super sluggish. The car slowed down, and we were able to get stopped on the side of the road. At this point when we got the car running again, the cruise control would not work. When we reached walla walla, Washington, we stopped at O'reilys auto parts, had one of the parts specialists come out and check what the code was on the computer, and found out it was the electronic throttle sensor that is defective. This is a Pilot car escort vehicle, making the hazard even more dangerous, because had I been traveling with an oversized load, I could have been hit by the semi pulling the load, or I could have impacted the rear of the load, depending if I were following or leading. Also, had that happened while on a job, the load would have had to stop until another Pilot car escort vehicle could arrive to continue with the load. This is a dangerous thing to have shut off when driving in areas that are not straight. Unable to control steering, brakes less than responsive, and possible hazards of vehicles oncoming or following us could become impact hazards. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Last night, I started up my car and immediately the car started to shudder pretty hard. My car started chiming and a service traction control showed up on my dash, followed by an engine power reduced. The light indicator for my tc was lit. I immediately turned the car off and tried to restart it. The same thing happened again. I turned it off and waited 2 minutes before restarting. It started fine, with no bad indications. The car also drove normally. A few hours later as I was starting home, it happened again. My car was still parked as before when the indications showed up. Shut off and restarted and it cleared out. No problem once I started driving. This morning was no different. So far, this only has happened when I was starting my car up. I have been fortunate that this hasn't happened to me while the car was in motion- yet. Other people with this problem haven't been so fortunate. There has been no bad weather at all. Dry as a bone. I bought this car in 2010 knowing it used to be a rental. I have had no problems with it until now. I took my car into my Chevy dealership, who thought it might be the throttle body sensor. They are ordering the part in, but I'm still skeptical if that is really what is causing it. I have heard the sensor on the hub assembly could cause this, as well as the accelerator pedal sensor. From reading multiple forums, many owners have had scary experiences with the car decelerating on freeways or other dangerous places that could result in wrecks and personal harm. They had taken their cars in multiple times and shelled out thousands trying to fix this phantom ghost problem. Frankly I am amazed there has been no recall for this. I am moving to ca, and I'm driving there by myself in less than two weeks. I can't have my car try to do me in right now, nor do I have endless amounts of cash to fix a mech's guess. Warranty does not cover this.
I was accelerating to merge left into a highway. Weather was dry and hot. Traction control light came on along with engine light car shows message: "service traction control", "engine power reduced". car takes longer to accelerate. After I turned off the car and turn it on, traction control light disappeared. Engine light remains on.
I was accelerating and turning left at the same time after a stop sign into a 40 mph road. Weather was hot and dry. Traction control and engine light came on immediately. Car shows message: Service traction control, engine power reduced.
This is a known problem with Chevy Impala, however GM refuses to do a recall. Someone will die again at their hands. When driving the car, all of a sudden a "service traction control" message pops up, then "reduced engine power", then the check engine light goes on. The car immediately loses power and the speed is cut almost in half very abruptly. One time, the car completely lost all electrical and power while traveling at 65mph on the interstate. I was stuck with no power steering, no power brakes, etc and had to navigate to the side of the road without killing myself. I have finally figured out what the problem is due to the many forums that are popping up with other owners describing their fixes. Turns out it is the accelerator pedal position sensor. I have replaced it myself and the car is now running fine. I am not happy with Chevrolet playing with my safety and my life by not recalling this part. As I mentioned earlier.... people will die, I almost did.
Service traction control message along with reduced engine power message. Car jerked/hesitated upon stopping and starting at intersection. Reduced speed automatically and couldnt speed up.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the acceleration sensor was malfunctioning which caused the engine to idle. The contact mentioned that the check engine and traction light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed the acceleration sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 86,490.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the engine warning indicator illuminated then the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted 20 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician detected that the accelerator pedal, accelerator position sensor connector, and fuel vent solenoid was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
I was driving on the freeway at approximately 70mph, my check engine light came on. About 5 seconds later, my service traction control came on. As I kept driving, I lost power to my engine. Finally, my engine was disabled and I couldn't drive anymore. Luckily, I was able to pull over. After 5 minutes, I was able to start up my car. I replaced the throttle body, but my car still keeps doing this. This is very unsafe. GM needs to recall its cars.
I was driving home on the freeway at about 70 mph and the service engine light went on with it saying "reduced engine power" on display. About 10 seconds later I could not accelerate, the car began to start slowing down and I lost ability to maneuver the steering easily as the steering wheel locked up. I was able to pull off on the side of the freeway and I had to turn the car off and wait about 10 minutes for the problem to clear up.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mansfield, OH, USA