I have a used 2016 Chevy Impala LTZ that I bought in 2019 with 34,500 miles. The car was "certified." Here's the deal - this car - despite being designated as a "flex-fuel" - CANNOT handle E85. The manual that came with 2016 Impalas makes NO MENTION OF ANY LIMITS on the use of E85, which as gas prices have spiked, I've been using consistently. BUT the reality is, E85 damages the high pressure fuel pump on the car, and GM KNOWS IT! Everyone look-up service bulletin #18-NA-072. This tells dealership mechanics the procedure for diagnosing code P228C, which is "FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR 1 CONTROL PERFORMANCE-LOW PRESSURE". Basically, you get a an alarm chime then a trouble message that says "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" and, damn straight, your acceleration INSTANTLY DROPS. So, if you use E85 "excessively," which is not defined, you will damage the high pressure fuel pump which will have to get replaced to the tune of $1730.
But here's the kicker - according to my warranty book, the high pressure fuel pump is COVERED BY THE FEDERAL EMISSION DEFECT WARRANTY, which my dealer, Advantage Chevy in Hodgkins, IL is refusing to cover. Check out page 22 then page 25-27 to see the covered items for 70k to 80k miles.
It's time for a class action. I will attach and upload the pages so you can see for yourselves. Anyone who has used E85 and suffered a P228C Engine Power Reduced Code let me know. There are other bulletins on the same issue - they're trying to cover up the problem. See GM Service Bulletin # PIP5385C and PIP5385D.
Update from Jul 28, 2023: Dealer agreed to fully fund the repair after I went to CBS Channel 2 Chicago.
Update from May 7, 2024: Filed a lawsuit against GM. Lawsuit concluded with a settlement this March (2024).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have a used 2016 Chevy Impala LTZ that I bought in 2019 with 34,500 miles. The car was "certified." Here's the deal - this car - despite being designated as a "flex-fuel" - CANNOT handle E85. The manual that came with 2016 Impalas makes NO MENTION OF ANY LIMITS on the use of E85, which as gas prices have spiked, I've been using consistently. BUT the reality is, E85 damages the high pressure fuel pump on the car, and GM KNOWS IT! Everyone look-up service bulletin #18-NA-072. This tells dealership mechanics the procedure for diagnosing code P228C, which is "FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR 1 CONTROL PERFORMANCE-LOW PRESSURE". Basically, you get a an alarm chime then a trouble message that says "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" and, damn straight, your acceleration INSTANTLY DROPS. So, if you use E85 "excessively," which is not defined, you will damage the high pressure fuel pump which will have to get replaced to the tune of $1730.
But here's the kicker - according to my warranty book, the high pressure fuel pump is COVERED BY THE FEDERAL EMISSION DEFECT WARRANTY, which my dealer, Advantage Chevy in Hodgkins, IL is refusing to cover. Check out page 22 then page 25-27 to see the covered items for 70k to 80k miles.
It's time for a class action. I will attach and upload the pages so you can see for yourselves. Anyone who has used E85 and suffered a P228C Engine Power Reduced Code let me know. There are other bulletins on the same issue - they're trying to cover up the problem. See GM Service Bulletin # PIP5385C and PIP5385D.
Update from Jul 28, 2023: Dealer agreed to fully fund the repair after I went to CBS Channel 2 Chicago.
Update from May 7, 2024: Filed a lawsuit against GM. Lawsuit concluded with a settlement this March (2024).
- Mike F., Chicago, US