2004 Chevrolet Impala Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER (BILLION AUTO BUICK GMC, 600 W 41ST ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57105, (605) 309-0975) WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY MORE THAN ONE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NTHSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V287000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THERE WERE ELEVEN TSBS ON THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES CORROSION. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE CORRESPONDENCE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE FLOOR BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *JS

I'VE OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS. EVERY YEAR OR SO MY ABS, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM, AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS USUALLY DURING A NON-EVENT SITUATION. I PUT MY BRAKES ON AND THEY LOCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL MY LIGHTS ARE ON. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY CONSTANTLY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. EVERYONE ELSE WITH AN IMPALA SEEMS TO HAVE CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THIS AS WELL. I'M NOW BEING ASKED TO COMPLETELY CHANGE OUT MY ABS MODULE & CONTROLLER FOR A WHOPPING $3K ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 130K MILES AFTER ALREADY SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS FOR ABS/TRACTION ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY A PERSISTENT SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS COSTING IMPALA OWNERS AN ARM AND A LEG AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I'VE OWED MANY VEHICLES WITH MUCH HIGHER MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I SAW SOME SMOKE OR STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE RIGHT DASH . I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS , SO I CHECK MY GAUGES AND EVERY THING LOOKED OK , I CONTINUE TO DRIVING TRYING TO MAKE IT TO MY MOTHERS HOUSE. THE CAR CUT ITSELF OFF AND I SHIFT TO N AND ROLL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I GOT OUT WENT INTO THE HOUSE FOR A COUPLE OF MIN. WHEN I RETURN THE CAR WAS SMOKING , I DASH WATER ON TOP OF THE HOOD BUT THE SMOKE TURN INTO FLAMES THAT'S WHEN I CALLED 911. HELP CAME AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE DRIVER REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT PREVIOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLENISHED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING AND CORRODED AND RUSTED. UPDATED 06/04/15*JB

ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND STAY ON TILL I TURN IT OFF. CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFICULT TO DEPRESS AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, THE THUMB AND THE ROTATOR CUP, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 09/17/14*LJ UPDATED 02/12/2015 *JS

SINCE LAST YEAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS TWICE BECAUSE OF A GRINDING/SQUEALING NOISE. NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN ( 4-19-14 ). WHEN EVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL VIBRATE AND MAKES NOISES,IF I APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL (VIBRATES A LOT )AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WICKED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP ( BALISE OF WARWICK,RI )WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT FROM(MY FATHER-IN-LAW BOUGHT THE CAR THERE)AND ASK ABOUT ANY RECALLS....THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS FOR MY CAR. GEE I WONDER IF THE PERSON THAT TOLD ME THAT WAS JUST LAZY OR IF THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS FOR IT. CAN SOMEONE LET ME KNOW PLEASE...I HAVE MY GRANDSON IN THE CAR A LOT. *TR

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, MORE OFTEN WHEN SLIPPERY WINTER CONDITIONS EXIST BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN EVEN ON PERFECTLY DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY IMPALA INTO DRIVE AND START TO ACCELERATE THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT FOR TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS HAPPENS WITH A NOTICEABLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. AUTOMATICALLY I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR AND THE SYSTEMS HALF THE TIME SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF AS THE GRINDING NOISE STOPS, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES OUT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT AS WELL. I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WITH NO PROBLEM AT THAT POINT. THE OTHER HALF OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS ALL STAY ON FOR THE LENGTH OF MY DRIVE, WITH THE GRINDING SUBSIDING WHEN I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY TOLD ME IT MAY BE A SPEED SENSOR GOING BAD. THEY WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSE IT AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE SENSOR AND QUITE A LARGE COST. I ARGUED THAT IF MY BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THAN THIS MAY WELL BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. NO CHANCE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WITH THE SAME RESULT. PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2004 IMPALA INTO THE SHOP THREE TIMES NOW WITH REGARDS TO THE TRACTION LIGHT GOING ON WHEN I TURNED ALONG WITH TRAC OFF AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS GOING ON. INITIALLY THE SERVICE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE ABS WOULD MAKE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS CYCLING. JUST LAST WEEK ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. I HAVE HAD TO STOP AND THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE WITH NO BRAKING CAPABILITIES THEN IT WOULD CATCH AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO STOP WITH PUMPING THE BRAKE. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST TIME A REPAIR WAS MADE TWO WEEKS AGO AND REPLACED WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH FRONT TIRES AND FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THIS IS TIME FRAME WENT THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD THE BACK BRAKES WERE OK. THE SECOND TIME - THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RIGHT BEARING AFTER THE LIGHTS WENT ON AGAIN AFTER 5 DAYS OF DRIVING. NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE TRACTION AND ABS WHEN THE SERVICE LIGHTS WENT ON AGAIN. THE WIRE IS ROCK HARD. *TR

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT. BRAKE PEDAL HAS BUZZING NOISE AND PRESSURE WHILE BRAKING FROM AROUND 35 MPH. CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, WHEN THE TCS ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ACCELERATION AND HAS LEFT ME PULLING OUT OF A SIDE STREET TO ALMOST GETTING STRUCK BY CROSS TRAFFIC. BOTH ARE VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

MY WIFE GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE CHEVY HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. MY 2004 IMPALA ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED ALONG WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL , SHE TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET HER STOP SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND TRIED PRESSING THE PEDAL BACK DOWN AND IT KICKED UP KICKING IN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL NOT ALLOWING HER TO STOP AND SHE RAN INTO A SNOW BANK BUT MY INSURANCE PAID FOR THE BODY WORK BUT NOT THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I REPLACED BOTH HUBS ON THE FRONT, QUIT DOING IT FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS KICKS IN WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND TEMP GAUGE ARE NOT WORKIN AT 0 RPM MY CAR IS DOING 90 MPH AS IT SITS IN MY GARAGE NOT STARTING BECAUSE MY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START IT MY STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK AND BECAUSE I CANT TURN MY KEY I CAN NOT PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OUT OF MY GARAGE SO I CAN GET IT TOWED I HAVE READ SO MANY ISSUES ON THESE AND OTHER GM MODELS I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS WHEN I CALLED HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS AND NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND MONEY SO AS MY CAR SITS IN MY GARAGE AS IT WILL TILL THESE ITEMS GET RECALLED I AM NOT PUTTING ANYMORE MONEY IN THIS CAR I WILL DRIVE MY 98 INFINITI THAT I HAVE HAD FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS BECAUSE I KNOW ITS DEPENDABLE. NEVER AGAIN GM WILL YOU GET ANOTHER CENT FROM ME I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR. *TR

WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE WHICH IS USUALLY JUST AROUND 9 MILES (I DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT. ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND IT TAKES A BIT MORE EFFORT THAN USUAL TO STOP. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE TRACTION/ABS LIGHT TO COME ON EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A SHOPPING CENTER WHERE A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKES HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, CALIPERS AND HOSES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 04V287000 (SERVICE BRAKE, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,032.

I HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON THEN WHEN YOU USE YOUR BRAKES IT IS LIKE THE BRAKE IS PUSHING YOUR FOOT BACK UP. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET HURT. I HAVE REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS 5-6 TIMES IN A YEAR. IT WILL WORK FOR A VERY FEW MONTHS AND THEN IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. LAST THURSDAY I HAD PUT AN EXPENSIVE SET OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON IT AND BRAKES ALL WAY ROUND ON THE CAR. IT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE SHOP BEFORE ALL OF THESE LIGHTS STARTED COMING BACK ON. SO I HAD NEW WHEEL BEARINGS PUT BACK ON IT AGAIN TODAY AND IT IS STILL DOING THIS. GM NEEDS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM, FROM WHAT I CAN READ ON THE INTERNET THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT IS COSTING EVERYONE A LOT OF MONEY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD GRIND AND EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. AT 14,584 & 49,883 MILES PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS & REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED. PADS BECAUSE OF SEVERE WEAR. REAR ROTORS ON BOTH OCASSIONS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND WARPED CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO PROVIDE ALL THE BRAKING FORCE RESULTING IN SEVERE WEAR & DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PADS. AT 14584MILES TOOK CAR TO CHEVY. DEALER BECAUSE OF NOISE AT REAR WHEN STOPPING. REAR ROTORS & PADS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, FRONT PADS AT OUR COST. AT ABOUT 35000 HAD FRONT BRAKES CHECKED BECAUSE OF LOUD SQUEALING, FOUND FRONT PADS TO BE GLAZED. REARS NOT CHECKED AT THIS TIME. AT49884 MILES BRAKES GAVE OUT WHEN EXITING X-WAY. WHEN THE WHEELS WERE PULLED REAR ROTORS WERE AGAIN FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED & WARPED . ONE OF THE FRONT PADS HAD BROKEN & FALLEN OUT, THE OTHER PADS WERE SEVERELY WORN. ONCE AGAIN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DOING ALL THE STOPPING BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE REAR ROTORS. THIS TIME WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE REPAIR. CHEVY. DEALER SAID GM FELT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR. TWO SETS OF WARPED & RUSTED ROTORS IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES DOES NOT SEEM LIKE NORMAL WEAR, IT APPEARS MORE LIKELY TO BE A DEFECT IN THE QUALITY OR DESIGN OF THE ROTORS & THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE PADS IS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. A WEB SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM SHOWS THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE HAVING THIS DEFECT WITH RUSTY & WARPED REAR ROTORS ON GM PRODUCTS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR. SERVICE TECH'S I'VE TALK TO ABOUT IT TELL ME IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT A LOW SPEED, THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER REACHING HIS DESTINATION, THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. THE LEAKING BRAKE LINE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,388 . UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/03/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE THREE BRAKE LINES. THE BRAKES LINES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILES WERE 51,220. UPDAETD 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 02/28/12

EVENT: USE THE BRAKES. FAILURE: FRONT END SHAKES. REPAIR: REPLACE ROTORS. EVENT: DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. FAILURE: SPEEDOMETER GONE HAYWIRE, SAYS YOUR GOING 20 WHEN YOU ARE GOING 70? REPAIR: REBUILT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. EVENT: ANY TIME ENGINE RUNNING. FAILURE: TEMP GAUGE HAYWIRE. YOU PULL OVER THINKING YOUR CAR IS OVERHEATING; IT'S NOT. REPAIR: REBUILT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. EVENT: ANY TIME ENGINE RUNNING. FAILURE: FUEL GAUGE HAYWIRE. DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE, COULD RUN OUT OF GAS (DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME). REPAIR: REBUILT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. EVENT: USING BLINKERS. FAILURE: BLINKERS EITHER DON'T WORK WHEN ACTIVATED, OR FLASH RANDOMLY. REPAIR: REPLACE BLINKER/HAZARD MODULE. EVENT: TURNING IGNITION KEY FAILURE: NO CRANK, NO START - SECURITY LIGHT ON. WAIT A WHILE, CAR STARTS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. REPAIR: BYPASSED AND DISABLED SECURITY 'PASSLOCK' SWITCH. EVENT: USING WIPERS/RAIN. FAILURE: WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD, CONTINUE AFTER TURNING OFF, OR DON'T COME ON WHEN SWITCH TURNED ON. REPAIR: REPLACE WIPER MOTOR & PULSE BOARD. EVENT: STOP AT INTERSECTION WITH ENGINE RUNNING FAILURE: ENGINE SURGING AND STALLING. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FOOT PLANTED ON THE BRAKE SO THAT YOU DON'T RUN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. IT STALLED OUT OF STATE IN AN INTERSECTION. REPAIR: REPLACE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR (MAF). THIS MOST RECENT MAF PROBLEM WAS THE LAST STRAW. THIS CAR HAS OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS THE NORMAL WEAR ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD REPLACE ON A 'REAL CAR'. THIS CAR IS A ROLLING ELECTRICAL DISASTER. THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT, JUST LIKE ITS MANUFACTURER. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT CHEVY VOLT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD MODERATE PULSATING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25, 000 MILES *TGW THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHEN HE DISSEMBLED THE FRONT BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER BRAKE PAD FRICTION MATERIAL HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BACKING PLATE (BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT). THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE FRICTION MATERIAL WAS FLOATING LOOSE INSIDE OF THE CALIPER FRAMES CAUSING THE EDGES OF THE FRICTION MATERIAL TO BECOME JAGGED AS A RESULT OF CONTACTING THE CALIPERS. THE INSIDE PORTION OF THE ROTOR HAD UNUSUAL WEAR DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE HAD REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED ALL OF THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AT HIS EXPENSE. *JB

THE ABS LIGHT ON MY MOTHER'S 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA (ONLY 32,000 MILES) ABS LIGHT RECENTLY STARTED COMING ON. SHE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. THEY REFERENCED A GM SERVICE BULLETIN THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF HARNESSES AND SENSORS. $367 DEALER WOULD NOT COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF VEHICLE AGE DESPITE OUR COMPLAINT. WE ELEVATED THE ISSUE UP TO GM DISTRICT SERVICE (CASE# 71-898488738). AFTER SEVERAL CALLS GM HAS OFFERED 50% BACK. REGARDLESS, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO NOT POLICY SAFETY SYSTEM BEYOND STANDARD WARRANTY COVERAGE. QUESTIONABLE IF THIS SHOULD BE RECALL. WE FOUND FOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS AND ONE INVESTIGATION IN NHTSA DATA BASE OF SAME ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH THE BRAKES WOULD START MAKING A GRINDING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TURNED THE REAR ROTORS AND STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY BE TURNED ONE TIME. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THIS TIME THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE "FROZEN" BECAUSE THE OWNER DIDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFTEN ENOUGH. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED AND THEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED, THIS TIME, THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS WERE REPLACED IN THE FRONT AND REAR. THE FAILURE HAS RETURNED. THE CONTACT HAS CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. HE PREVIOUSLY HAD THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DELAMINATING AND THE CALIPERS WERE STUCK. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN ENOUGH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

HAVE CHANGED ROTORS MULTIPLE TIMES, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS 45MPH OR HIGHER, CAR SHAKES FROM PULSATING BRAKES. IN WET WEATHER MAKES THE CAR A LITTLE UNCONTROLLABLE DEALER SAYS OH ITS HOW IT IS, GM IS AWARE BUT THEY DON'T FEEL IT IS A REAL ISSUE. THIS AMONG THE INABILITY OF THE HEATING SYSTEM TO WORK FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE ITS COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED IS RIDICULOUS. I HAD BEEN A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER. SO SORRY WONT BE ANYMORE THIS IS INSANE TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR A VEHICLE AND IT HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. *TR

NEW 2004 CHEVY IMPALA LS FIRST USE 3/23/05. THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE I'VE HAD TO REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING & HUB ASSEMBLY. MARCH OF 2006 THE RIGHT REAR, JANUARY OF 2008 THE LEFT REAR, OCTOBER OF 2009 THE RIGHT FRONT. EACH TIME THE ABS AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. I PAID $636.31 THIS LAST TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CAR BEING UNDRIVEABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WOULD BEGIN TO WOBBLE AND THE STEERING WOULD BE AFFECTED IF NOT REPAIRED WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'VE SEEN ON LINE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE 4TH ONE WILL FAIL, OR THE OTHER 3 THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WILL FAIL AGAIN. I AM #1 CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY & THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY I'VE HAD TO PAY BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

2004 IMPALA, BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. CAR HAS APPROX 73,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR RESURFACED APPROX 4-5 TIMES DUE TO PULSING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR

AT 38,000 MILES...THE SPEEDOMETOR FAILS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY. AT FIRST IT JUST SLOWLY DROPPED TO 0. THEN THE THERMOMETER WENT HAYWIRE; I CK'D THE ENGINE EVERYTHING WAS FINE...IT REGISTERS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE NOW. NOW THE SPEEDOMETOER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO....I TRAVEL A LOT, AND THIS THING SETTLES DOWN AFTER A LONG TRIP HOPEFULLY...LAST TIME IT WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GAUGE. I JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR A COP TO SEE MY MALFUNCTION. CAN HE STILL GIVE ME A TICKET IF I LEGALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING? LEGALLY YOU SHOULD GET THAT TICKET! MAKE ME SEE A JUDGE GM! I BOUGHT A GM CERTIFIED CAR IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THAT IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING! YOUR BRAKES ARE KILLING ME TOO! MY BOSS'S TOYOTA IS GOING ON 80,000 MI. THEY WILL BE GOOD FOR 100,000.00 MI. I AM THE ONE PUTTING ON THE HIGHWAY MILES HERE! I AM AT APPROX. 50,000.00 MILES. REMEMBER...I GOT THE CAR AT 28,000.00 MILES. I AM A HIGHWAY TRAVELER.....IN JUST A YEAR I HAVE PUT ON 20,000.00 MILES. HIGHWAY MILES! I THINK GM GOT BAD BRAKES! THE ROTORS ARE DONE! I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A SAFE TRUSTWORTHY CAR. I GOT TRASH. I WILL BUY FOREIGN NEXT TIME; ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO NOT COVER MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GONE WRONG! *TR

2004 CHEVY IMPALA - ABS LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT HAVE INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, NOW THE TACHOMETER GOES HAYWIRE AND IS STUCK OVER THE MAX. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. *TR

2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS ARE POOR QUALITY AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. *KB

CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKES. ROTORS WARPED @ 21,500 MILES. 12,000 MILES LATER, WARPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT WAS TOTALLY NATURAL FOR MY CAR TO GET THAT HOT. UNBELIEVABLE!! NOW I HAVE AN INTAKE OR A HEAD GASKET THAT IS BAD. AGAIN, NOTHING THEY CAN DO. AGAIN, COST OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHEVY I SERVICE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES IT. THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD US, "CARS ARE MADE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS. STUFF HAPPENS." IF THEY CAN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS I WON'T BUY ANOTHER. 34,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS JUNK. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS. BAD BRAKES AND BAD GASKETS. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, WHICH IS A PIECE OF CRAP. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT W/ CHEVY ON PHONE NUMBER 866-790-5700. OUR CASE # IS 71-578092134. THEY WERE NO HELP, SINCE OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. OUR TRACTION SYSTEM & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE TRACTION SYSTEM SHUT OFF & WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. IT ALSO KNOCKED OFF THE ABS SYSTEM. NOT SAFE. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE REPAIRS WERE A NEW THERMOSTAT & THERMOSTAT SENSOR, & DRIVERS SIDE REAR HUB BEARING. THE COST WAS $500.00, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED @1100.00!!!!!!! FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 5-10 IMPALAS A WEEK IN THEIR SHOP FOR THE SAME REPAIR!!! IT APPEARS GM SCREWED UP. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1995 GMC 1500 SIERRA, HAVE NOT HAD TO FIX ANYTHING AS MAJOR AS THE IMPALA. GM'S WARRANTY IS THE WORST IN THE BUSINESS. GM WAS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BODY SHOP OWNER STATED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE WIRES TO THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN SLICED DURING THE ACCIDENT. FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND FENDERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. RADIATOR AND CONDENSER HAD TO BE REPLACED. BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SQUARED. ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED. *TR

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER START UP AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 20MPH) THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN WHEN NOT NEEDED. FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS, THERE IS EXTREMELY REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. AFTER THIS INITIAL TIME PERIOD, THE WHOLE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AND ALSO TURNS OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. ONCE THE SHUTDOWN HAS TAKEN PLACE, THE CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS AS IF THERE WAS NO ANTILOCK BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHICH INDICATED THAT THE WHEEL SENSOR WAS BAD AND COULD BE REPLACED FOR $600.00. ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 65MPH, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. WHEN TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE STILL READ 65MPH. WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROPER SPEED. NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE RESET THE SPEED 5MPH LOWER EACH TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOVED FROM OFF TO ON. MULTIPLE CYCLES OF TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AND OFF FINALLY RESET THE SPEEDOMETER TO 0MPH. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX FOR A PROBLEM THAT WILL PROBABLY GET WORSE. ALTHOUGH NOT A SERIOUS ISSUE, THE TACHOMETER DOES THE SAME THING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CAR A FEW TIMES A YEAR. THE ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING WARPED WITH ORIGINAL GM ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. IN 2005, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE WHEELS LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR AWAY FROM CRASHING INTO A CURB INSIDE A HEAVILY TRAVELED TUNNEL. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE WET ROADS DUE TO RAIN. HOWEVER, AFTER REPLACING ROTOR AND BRAKES CONSTANTLY, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT A NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR BRAKES IN JUNE OF 2004. THE CAMPAIGN # IS 04V28700. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR MY VIN#. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE NHTSA RECALL DID NOT SPECIFY PARTICULAR 2004 IMPALAS BUT THE WHOLE MODEL YEAR. THEY GAVE ME THE CASE #71-546836626 AND SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF A RECALL FOR MY CAR. WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS AND SHAKES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA AND THEN SPREAD TO THE HOOD. THE FIRE OCCURRED TWO TO THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. A RELATIVE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HAND DUE TO THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE IS NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIR WORK. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OR MORE. THE BRAKES AND THE DISC WERE REPLACED AND ALIGNED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DISC FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT DETECTS THE SMELL OF FUEL WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS FULL; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO THE PRESENCE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL GAGE FAILURE OR THE ODOR. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE FUEL ODOR IN THE INTERIOR. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED TWICE, THE VIBRATION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED, INCLUDING AN INSURANCE REPORT. THERE IS NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 08/15/07.*JB

MY 2004 IMPALA'S ABS TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM" LIGHT. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS BASED UPON ABS SCANNER CODES WAS THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD FAILED/SHORTED. GM'S SEALED WHEEL HUB DESIGN ON THIS VEHICLE MEANT THAT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR THE ENTIRE HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 40K MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY TOTAL COST WAS OVER $690 INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR, AND TAXES. THIS IS ABSURD AND RIDICULOUS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS KIND OF OUTRAGEOUS COST SIMPLY TO GET A SENSOR REPLACED. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE NECESSITY OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE HUB, THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD EVEN COST $100. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I RECOGNIZE POOR DESIGN AND POOR LOGIC WHEN I SEE IT, AND THIS SITUATION CERTAINLY FALLS UNDER THOSE CATEGORIES. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED THAT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THIS IN ORDER TO RESTORE OPERATION OF THE ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEMS. IF THIS IS STANDARD GM DESIGN PRACTICE, I WILL DEFINITELY CONSIDER THAT A NEGATIVE WHEN PURCHASING MY NEXT VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE PEDAL PULSATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE. THE SHAKING STOPPED FOR ONE WEEK, BUT THEN THE SHAKING PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V287000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AT ANY SPEED. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 04V287000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLIED CAUSING A INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. IN JULY OF 2005 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ONE SET OF BRAKE ROTORS AND RESURFACED THE OTHER SET. IN SEPTEMBER ANOTHER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OTHER SET OF ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER, WHICH DETERMINED THE ROTORS NEED TO BE RESURFACED DUE TO RUST BUILD UP. THEY DID NOT RESURFACE THE ROTORS BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

I HAVE HAD MY 2004 IMPALA FOR 18 MONTHS, OF THAT 18 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR BRAKES FOUR TIMES. THE ROTORS KEEP WARPING UP. SOME DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE ROTORS ONE TIME. THIS HAS GOTTEN TO BE SUCH A PROBLEM THAT MY FAMILY WILL NOT RIDE IN THIS CAR. WHY CAN'T GM DESIGN A CAR WITHOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THE IMPALA HAS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE-BRAKING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AND STRUCK THE DASHBOARD, RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - *NM

I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA, THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR ROTORS GROUND DOWN TWICE BECAUSE THEY HAD WARPED AND WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER DID THE REPAIR AND IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NEW VEHICLE. *NM

CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER REDUCED THE SIZE OF THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH DECREASED THE HOLDING POWER/ EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKE. *TS WHILE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE BRAKE WOULD NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED. THE SECOND TIME THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE NOT TO HOLD/RESTRAIN THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WITH THE BRAKES ON. IT IS PULSATED/SQUEALED WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REAR BRAKES PULSATED DUE TO WARPED REAR BRAKE ROTORS. THE FIRST TIME DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE THEY FOUND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES OVERHEATED, CAUSING THEM TO WARP. *AK

MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA AND WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH AND A LINE OF VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US STOPPED, NOT REAL FAST, BUT THEY STOPPED AND WE WERE ABOUT 80 YARDS IN BACK OF THEM AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKE PETAL THE CAR JUST DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. IT WAS SKIDDING ALL ALONG, SQUEALING TIRES, UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF IT AND STARTED TO FISHTAIL. ABOUT 1 FOOT MORE OR SO, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT! I DIDN'T SLAM THEM ON OR ANYTHING. IT WAS KIND OF A SUDDEN STOP, BUT NOT REALLY TOO SUDDEN. ALL OF THE VEHICLES AROUND US STOPPED PREFECTLY NORMAL. I'VE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS! MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRENTY, HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT IN. I THINK I SHOULD THOUGH. BUT STILL, GENERAL MORORS AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR RELEASING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE LIKE THIS! ANOTHER SMALL COMPLAINT I HAVE, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARLY A SAFETY CONCERN, IS THE FACT THAT THE STEERING IS RATHER POOR ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU GO AROUND TURNS, YOU HAVE A MAKE AN EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND GET THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT AGAIN. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT NEW CARS SHOULD BE BETTER THAN OLD ONE'S, HOWEVER MY EXPERIENCES HAVE OBVIOUSLY PROVEN THAT THEY'RE NOT. THANK YOU FOR READING MY COMPLAINT. I HOPE YOU CAN GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND MAYBE THEN GM CAN MAKE CHANGES.

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE RESPONSE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BY THE DEALERSHIP. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V287000. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN 3,738 MILES WITHOUT THE CONSUMER BEING NOTIFIED BY GM OR THE DEALERSHIP. *SC *JB

' RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED ON 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BOLT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED GM STILL HAS NOT SENT HIM AN OFFICIAL RECALL LETTER EVEN AFTER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED. *JB

BOUGHT A 2004 FROM RUSS DARROW GROUP IN MADISON WI. THIS CAR WAS A RENTAL CAR WE PAID 19K FOR IT AND IT HAS 30K MILES ON IT. IT SHAKES WHEN DRIVING OVER 50MPH AND THE BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE. THE SALESMAN COOERICED US INTO THIS CAR, AND WE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE MATTER WITHIN 48 HOURS, BUT THEY WON'T COOPERATE. THERE ARE 2004 CARS WITH 0 MILES FOR LESS MONEY, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE FRONT END IS OUT OF ALLIGNMENT AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. WE WANT A DIFFERENT, SAFE CAR, WE DO NOT WANT THIS FIXED. THE PAYMENTS ARE ALMOST 500 PER MONTH FOR SIX YEARS. THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT MILEAGE AMOUNTS ON THE PAPERS AND ON THE CONTRACT THE ODOMETER SAYS 0 STRIKEN OUT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT. THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE ROTORS CUT. *AK WITHIN 10 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, THE BRAKES BEGUN TO SHUTTER AND VIBRATE. *SC *JB