2002 Chevrolet Impala Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL, FUEL, AND POWER STEERING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,164.

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR MAF MALFUNCTION IF CORRODED OR DIRTY WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. ENGINE STALLING CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKES. DISASTEROUS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, INTERSECTIONS, OR IN ANY SITUATION REQUIRING STEERING OR BRAKING. THIS CAR MAF FAILED GOING DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING MANUAL BRAKE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR

THIS CAR WAS ONE-OWNER AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVICED ROUTINELY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WALL ON DRIVERS SIDE, THEN SPUN AROUND AND LODGED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER OF A SEMI-TRACTOR. THE SEMI HIT THE BRAKES AND IT PROJECTED ME BACK ACROSS UPON THE TOP OF THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WHERE MY CAR JUST RODE TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY BEAUTIFUL CAR WAS TOTALED BUT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND SEAT BELTS I AM ALIVE. I HAVE A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED ANKLE, CUTS, AND BRUISES, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM INJURY OR DEATH. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE TO INSPECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

PROBLEM WITH STARTING HAS PROGRESS TO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF DURING OPERATION. SEVERAL TIMES NOW THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE CAR WHILE MOVING. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND MERGING INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAD PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO MAKE THE CURVE WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR. AT THIS POINT, THE POWER STEERING KICKED IN AND I FOUND MYSELF SWERVING FROM THE SUDDEN SNATCH ON THE STEERING. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN AT THE CONTROLS I KNOW IT WOULD HAVE TURN OUT BAD! I SEE UNLIMITED COMPLAINS AROUND THIS ITEM. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ON PEOPLE TO GET INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE THE COMPANY IS FORCE TO BE RESPONSIBLE? IF THIS WAS A FOREIGN CAR COMPANY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE ALREADY FORCED A RECALL. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE THAT WAS FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTED AS A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS, WHICH TURN OUT TO BE THE OPPOSITE. FEAR, VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. *TR

I GOT MY CAR ON 03/09/2011. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. IT HESITATES TO CRANK, WHEN TURNING I CAN FEEL A POPPING FEELING IN THE STEERING. VERY OFTEN MY SIGNAL LIGHTS DOESN'T COME ON. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN HITTING MY BREAKS THE CAR SOMETIMES SPEEDS UP BEFORE SLOWING DOWN, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING. THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT STAYS ON, EVEN THOUGH THEY CLAIM THEY FIXED SOME SENSOR SWITCH. THEY ALSO SAID THEY FIXED MY CAR FROM LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, BUT THE BRAKES ARE SOUNDING WORST EVERYDAY. I ASKED THEM IF THE BRAKES NEEDED CHANGING AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF. I JUST GOT HOME FROM WORK AND NOT EVEN 30 MINUTES WENT BY BEFORE I TRIED TO LEAVE OUT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I GOT THE CAR AND THEY HAVE PROCRASTINATED UNTIL THE 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED. WHEN CALLING TODAY THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. WHEN ASKING WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WHEN I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE ISSUES SINCE I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE, THE REPLY WAS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO PAY THAT ANY MIND AND I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY ABS AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL, THERE'S A FUNNY NOISE AND A FEELING LIKE MY BRAKES ARE SCRUBBING. *TR

BROUGHT CAR AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT TIMED CORRECTLY AND I NEEDED A PART CALLED PLAW - THE COMPANY SAID THEY WERE FIXED BUT, NOT 3 MONTHS LATER WHEN HEAVY RAIN CAME MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON MY WINDSHIELD STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY VISIBLE AREA. IM 5'3 AND I HAVE A SEVEN YEAR OLD CHILD AND I WOULD HATE TO BE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN IT STARTS RAINING AND NOT ABLE TO SEE BECAUSE NO ONE TOOK IT SERIOUSLY.. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO RAINY DAYS ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE A NEWER CAR BUT I HAVE TO GET A RIDE OR ON THE BUS WITH MY CHILD......... HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

AS I BRAKE MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES ON MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAD IT SERVICED AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN PLAINVILLE CT. ON OR ABOUT JUNE 20 2009. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING JOINT SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37464 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37964.

2002 CHEVY IMPALA 3.8L PURCHASED USED IN DEC. 2004 W/ 65,000 MILES. WHERE TO BEGIN... FLOODING IN FLOORBOARDS DUE TO CLOG UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD, THREE SETS OF ROTORS/BRAKES, CLUNKY NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT (REPLACED TWICE BY DEALERSHIP) STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER DEALERSHIP TRIED TO CHARGE ME NEARLY $1000 TO REPLACE; COVERED BY GM AS HARRY GREEN CHEVROLET WAS 'UNAWARE' OF REPLACEMENT POLICY?!? NEW STRUTS, NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS/BALANCES B/C VEHICLE STILL SHAKES AND SHIMMYS AT 60-65 MPH; MUST DRIVE ABOUT 75-80 MPH JUST TO KEEP THIS TO A MINIMUM! BCM REPLACED TWICE BY DEALER, SECURITY ISSUES WON'T ALLOW CAR TO START FOR 15 MINS. EACH TIME, WHICH IS VERY INCONVENIENT. SOOO MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THESE 'QUALITY' GM VEHICLES, AND YET THEY DO NOTHING TO RESOLVE THEM, EXCEPT HOLD OUT THEIR HANDS WANTING MORE $$$ FROM AMERICAN TAXPAYERS TO KEEP ON MAKING JUNK! AND NOW THE NEWEST OF A LONG LINE OF RECALLS/PROBLEMS IS THAT THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD FOR LEAKING OIL ON THE MANIFOLD! ALL OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED DUE TO THE NUMEROUS SAFETY CONCERNS AND CONSUMERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF GENERAL MOTORS OBVIOUS DISREGARD FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RADIO DISPLAYED "LOCKED" AND HE COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS NOR THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER STATED THAT HE OWNED THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT AND REPAIRED IT AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $1,400. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE KEY SWITCH AT THE COST OF $492.13 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,301 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,328. UPDATED 020209 *BF THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE REPLACED AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. UPDATED 02/20/09. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $300.00. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, IT MADE STRANGE NOISES AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO BREAK. UPDATED 0423/10.*JB UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB

CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY. THE STEERING BEGAN TO SQUEAL WHEN TURNING AND NOW THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE. THERE IS NO SLACK IN THE STEERING. A TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED ALSO WHEN THE STEERING SHAFT WAS SERVICE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECH BULLETIN ON THE SHAFT BUT NO RECALL. THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY SHOULD BE RECALLED. STEERING FAILURE IS A POSSIBILITY. *TR

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A STEERING PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER 20,000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *KB

THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT MANY TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT CONTINUES TO GO OUT ALL THE TIME. THE RACK & PINION GEAR, THE PUMP AND THE HOSES WERE REPLACED WITH ORIGINAL DELCO PARTS BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS CAUSED BY LOW TIRES BUT MY TIRES WERE NOT LOW. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. IT IS HARD TO STEER ON THE STRAIGHT ROAD AND IT GOES OUT ON A TURN AND I CAN'T STEER IT. I HAVE TO HIT MY BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC HAS TRIED TO REPAIR IT ABOUT 5 TIMES AND HE FINALLY GAVE ME MY MONEY BACK AND SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHICH I DID AS NOTED ABOVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION IN THE AXLE AND ALSO HEARD A CRACKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 104,000 MILES. BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED AND THAT A NEW RACK AND PINION AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE HER A CARFAX REPORT AFTER ONE WAS REQUESTED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,979 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,840.