Tank Assembly problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala

Acted as if it dosen't have power steering when turning to the left, very stiff,and jerky. Total cut out on a freeway on ramp for about 20 seconds. When try to put fuel in gas tank have to hold fueling nozzle barley open or it will not take fuel. Drove to work, got off of work went to start it, it would start with out a jump.

While loading items in the trunk I noticed a strong gas smell. My mechanic did a "smoke test" and could find no problem. It has continued to be a problem. Others have commented on the smell and a friend had the same model car with the same problem and finally traded it in. I have looked on line for recalls. The only thing I found was that on some cars there is a problem with the adhesive between the lining of the gas tank and the tank. It said you would need the gas tank serial number to check if it was one of the ones with the problem. I checked at the local Chevrolet dealership and was told it would be about $300. 00 just to pull the gas tank to check for the serial number. I am concerned that one day it might catch on fire. I just keep hoping it won't but I would like to find out more about this problem.

The consumer states after driving the vehicle, she got out and smelled gasoline. She thought it was a different vehicle in the parking lot. She drove the vehicle home and parked it in the garage. Then the smell was noticed in the garage. The vehicle was then taken to the dealership , and they could not find cause of the problem, but they thought it was the charcoal fuel purge canister in the fuel tank. The dealership stated that because it could not be duplicated they could not fix it. The consumer then called the manufacturer, and they stated they had no knowledge of this problem. The dealership told the consumer not to park the vehicle in the garage because of the hot water heater. Also, stated that if it occurred again, she should drive the vehicle straight to the dealer so they could diagnose the problem. The consumer was going to have the problem corrected at a local mechanic, at her own expense. This occurred on July 18, 2005 on a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle was taken to fairway Chevrolet for service at 3100 east sahara avenue, las vegas nv 89104.

When the brake pedal was depressed, there was a banging noise in the gas tank. The cause of the noise was undetermined, although the dealership had serviced the vehicle several times for this issue. The banging sound had come from the rear of the vehicle when placing the vehicle in gear or when applying the brakes.