Table 1 shows one common unknown or other related problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
My well-maintained 2002 chevy Impala, 3. 4l v6, base model shut off a couple days ago while driving on the highway. I was accelerating, as the traffic was finally picking up. That's when I felt the car jerk and suddenly shut off. It was horrifying - the brake pedal & steering wheel locked, so I forcibly turned the wheel with all my strength, coasted to the shoulder, with two near-collisions, pressed the emergency brake, then shifted to park. The red battery symbol was illuminated on the dashboard as if the key was set to "on", but no check engine light. I noticed the headlights and the dash lights were off, but I believe that's because the car shut off (which is what would normally happen after shutting off a car with auto-off lights). Several attempts to start only resulted in sounds of a car struggling to turn over, but never actually turning. Eventually the car studdered, but started. I was back in highway traffic, and after a few minutes of driving, it shut off again. Same drill - coasted off the road, and several failed attempts to start before finally starting. Back on the road, a few minutes later, it happened again. After 2 more episodes of this, instead of struggling to start, the wasn't even coming close. The car radio and hazard lights were still working. Which led me to believe that constant starting attempts may have exhausted the battery. After a successful start, I was able to drive it home, using local roads for fear of a highway crash. 25 minutes later, the car was still running just fine. It didn't shut off again until I was parked at home and idling for a few minutes. Everytime it shut off, I'd see * check engine light, * warnings from the mil, though it's fully functional. The next day I moved the car for alternate side parking and it started up just fine, no hesitation. Several more starts since Monday - no hesitation or problem. I'm afraid to drive it long for now, for fear of an imminent crash. This could be fatal.
Electronic - first problem was airbag light staying on - after at least 4 trips to dealer - problem fixed - now radio is locked and somehow connected to door locks and security system - apparently this is an issue for this model and needs recall.
Our 2002 general motors Chevrolet Impala has the reported and well known intermittent issue known as the passlock failure regarding general motors security module which occurs on many general motors cars made from 1999-2005. The passlock failure happens intermittently and is difficult to diagnose and fix/resolve but is reported on the internet. The passlock failure seems to be tied to the 'security' light on the dashboard, however it has been seen that the 'security' light can come on from time to time while driving with no problems but not always. The passlock failure is observed in 2 scenarios: 1) while driving in traffic the vehicle may stall, leaving the driver without power steering or power brakes, also the 'security' light on the dashboard will be lit. 2) after getting into the car it fails to start, the engine will not turn over but electrical instruments all appear to work okay, the 'security' light on the dashboard will be lit. Frequency of failure - the frequency of these two failures is unable to be predicted, it has occurred multiple times in one day, multiple time times across 2 days and then may not occur for weeks or months. The issue can occur in winter, summer, fall or spring. Temporary correction - when the car fails to start then this issue may be able to be resolved temporarily by using another key ( a spare key should be stored in the car for safety) or the driver must wait about 20 minutes with the key removed from the ignition and then the issue will be temporarily resolved until the next time. Research into this failure has shown that this failure is not able to be replicated by myself or any reliable service technicians through my research via the internet. Also - research into this failure has not shown a proven and final fix though many theoretical fixes are available. Should this failure cause a vehicle while in traffic to stall, death and injury may result inside and outside the vehicle, this issue needs a recall from gm!.
Car would not start. Tried about 10 - 100 times and it would usually turn over. Happening over the last year, but getting worse (car will not start right away for last three days!). Everything inside car (lights, radio, etc. ) is on but engine will not turn over/.
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 break fluid, but the breaks are sounding worst everyday. I asked them if the breaks 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.
On October 11, 2010, was stopped for a left turn, in my 2002 Chevrolet Impala. I was hit from the back by a pickup truck. Upon impact, my onstar mirror came loose from the windshield and the cable became a weapon in the car with the mirror still attached. A witness said it looked like a baseball bat flying around on the inside of the car. The cable was hanging and approximately 2ft long when the wrecker pulled it away. I received multiple injuries to my head/neck and right eye due to this particular incident. There were also other injuries that I feel probably do not pertain to this. The car was later totalled and so nothing was done to correct the issue. I will remain leary to have or install onstar equipment in any other vehicle for this reason.
My Impala stops running while im driving on or off the freeway but especially when im driving at a speed of 55 to 65mps when on freeway without warning, the engine light comes and power steering is lost.
Starting with the 2000 chevy Impala they have a windshield wiper problem, where if heavy snows slides off the roof onto the windshield, or if the wipers are frozen to the windshield when you operate the wipers, it bends a tab under the wiper mechanism and causes the wipers to park in the “outwipe� condition when turned off instead of out of the way of the drivers vision just under the front hood. They park straight up causing a dangerous obstruction in the drivers view. There have been hundreds of postings on the internet where Impala owners have had this problem specifically in the states that experience freezing weather and snow. Some have stated after paying from $75 to $300 to have it repaired the problem would return. Perhaps a very poor design on gm’s part but to this date gm has not instituted a recall. Gm has acknowledged the problem and designed replacement kit for the bent tab at great expense for the owner to have it repaired.
: the contact stated the material padding hooks were broken off of the side of the seat and placed in the mouth by the toddler. Although there was a risk of choking, the child did not sustain any injuries. After the incident, the seat was inspected by a child safety seat technician who suggested discarding the seat. The manufacturer was not alerted.
This problem has occurred more than once, and has not been resolved. The consumer was concerned because this problem was not resolved, and the issues were still there. When the consumer turns on the heat or air a sour odor came in from the vent area. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection on numerous occasions. The consumer was pregnant at the time. The odor made the consumer sick. The dealer was aware of the problem, but a solution had not been determined.
The top of the dash board on the passenger side is lifting away from the front of the dash board (you can see the glue). Interesting point to mention - the rental car we received was also an Impala and we noted the same thing was happening to the dash board on the rental vehicle. (can this affect air bag deployment?).