16 of the
1,128 complaints about the 2000 Chevrolet Impala are about the
seats — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
130,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT LEATHER WAS SEPARATING WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WAS VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 05/18/16*LJ UPDATED 11/30/2017
NHTSA complaint #10850304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, DE
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WATER ENTERS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE CABIN AIR FILER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A $5.00 PIECE OF PLASTIC WOULD HAVE PREVENTED WATER FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2008 WITH A BAD BLOWER RESISTOR. OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THE OUTSIDE REAR-VIEW MIRROR CONTROL AND THE HAZARD SWITCH. THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10670052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMadison, WIFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER AND NOTICED THAT THE LEATHER SEAT WAS BECOMING EXTREMELY HOT. THE SEAT MELTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE FAILURE BURNED HER CLOTHING AND LEFT A LARGE HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SHE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STRANGE NOISES SHE HEARD. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE MORE THAN 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10272903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesAkron, OH1 injured
SEATS
SIDE AIR BAG/HEATED SEAT,CLOSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN CAUSING A REALLY BIG BRUISE ON MY DAUGHTERS SIDE.CONTACTED THE G.M. DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND TO NOT CONTACT ANYONE ELSE. NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM.THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STARTED BURNING AND IT RUINED THE CENTER CONSOLE ,SEAT,AND CARPET. NO SENSE IN CONTACTING G.M. AGAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ANYTHING GETS DONE TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING AND THAT G.M. WILL NOT SOLVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10268619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAuburn, GA
SEATS
I HAVE A 2000 IMPALA LS AND THE RT SIDE SEAT WARMER OVER HEATED AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL DO THIS, BUT THERE'S NO RECALL. MY HUSBAND UNPLUGGED IT AND REMOVE FUSE. NOW THE SEAT IS ALL BURNED AND CRACKING, LOOKS VERY BAD. WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS? I'VE READ WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BLAZE UP.
NHTSA complaint #10260302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,501 milesAuburn, GA
SEATS
RIGHT PASSENGER HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND CHARRED LEATHER SEAT COVER BEFORE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I'VE REMOVED FUSE TO THIS SEAT, BUT MY SEAT IS RUINED. MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD THREE OTHER GM VEHICLES TO DO THIS AND EVEN CAUGHT ONE MAN'S COAT ON FIRE LAYING IN THE SEAT. BUT , HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON HIS RECORDS FROM GM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A FIVE OR SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR REPAIR BILL IF I HAVE IT FIXED. I CAN'T TAKE FUSE OUT FOR DRIVER,S SEAT, AS IT ALSO CONTROLS ANOTHER FUNCTION ON CAR. NOW I'M AFRAID IT WILL OVERHEAT AND I'LL BE BURNED LIKE SOME OF THE OTHERS I'VE READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET. SEE WWW.CARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION.ASP.
NHTSA complaint #10219826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,501 milesAuburn, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
RIGHT PASSENGER HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND CHARRED LEATHER SEAT COVER BEFORE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I'VE REMOVED FUSE TO THIS SEAT, BUT MY SEAT IS RUINED. MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD THREE OTHER GM VEHICLES TO DO THIS AND EVEN CAUGHT ONE MAN'S COAT ON FIRE LAYING IN THE SEAT. BUT , HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON HIS RECORDS FROM GM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A FIVE OR SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR REPAIR BILL IF I HAVE IT FIXED. I CAN'T TAKE FUSE OUT FOR DRIVER,S SEAT, AS IT ALSO CONTROLS ANOTHER FUNCTION ON CAR. NOW I'M AFRAID IT WILL OVERHEAT AND I'LL BE BURNED LIKE SOME OF THE OTHERS I'VE READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET. SEE WWW.CARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION.ASP.
NHTSA complaint #10219826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,900 milesBreman, INFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEATS WERE BECOMING HOTTER THAN NORMAL. SHE DEACTIVATED THE SEAT HEATER; HOWEVER, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO HEAT. SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED SMOKE AND A WHOLE IN THE SEAT. AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,900.
NHTSA complaint #10211908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesArlington Heights, IL1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
COMPLAINANT WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVER'S LEATHER SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, CAUSING BURNS TO LOWER BACK AND BUTTOCKS. SEAT BECAME HOT DESPITE FACT THAT SWITCH CONTROLLING HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN, AND WAS STILL IN THE "OFF" POSITION. SEAT CONTINUED TO BURN REGARDLESS OF SETTING OF 3-POSITION CONTROL SWITCH. SEAT CONTINUED TO BURN DESPITE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF. SEAT CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL COMPLAINANT LOCATED DRIVER'S SIDE FUSE BOX AND REMOVED FUSE MARKED FOR DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT/BCM. VEHICLE MUST CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED WITH FUSE REMOVED AS RE-INSERTION CAUSES SEAT TO AGAIN BURN REGARDLESS OF SWITCH POSITION OR VEHICLE ON/OFF. PASSENGER HEATED SEAT WAS/IS UNAFFECTED BY THE DEFECT OR REMOVAL OF FUSE. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE.
NHTSA complaint #10162234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesWest Seneca, NY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED; THE DRIVER'S IDE ELECTRIC HEATER BECAME VERY HOT, AND THEN FAILED TO CONTINUE HEATING THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO WORK A FEW DAYS LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10161134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesHarvard, ILFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SEAT WARMER BECAME VERY HOT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL A COAT IN THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE COAT WAS DISCARDED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE MOVING IN ORDER TO KEEP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10147991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,802 milesRichmond, VAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
CONSUMER STATED THAT SEAT HEATER IS TOO HOT, CAUSING THE HEATER TO BURN A HOLE INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, RESULTING IN A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TS
NHTSA complaint #10031441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairview Park, OHFire1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT CREATED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE (NO FLAMES) ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO TRIP. SEAT TOGGLE WAS SET AT "LOW". LEATHER WAS CHARRED, FOAM SEAT PADDING MELTED IN HOTTEST AREA OF THE BURN, PERSONAL PROPERTY ON THE SEAT WAS DESTROYED. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE HEAT MELTED A CD CASE AND PENS WHICH WERE IN A BAG ON THE SEAT. DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON FINGERS WHEN THEY BRUSHED AGAINST SEAT. GM HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY OWNER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE GM REPRESENTATIVE STATE THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER OCCURANCE. DT
NHTSA complaint #770626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tustin, CA
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING IS UNABLE TO SEE APROCHING VEHICLE DUE TO REAR SEAT BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #879350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aberdeen, MD
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTERS RELEASE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SEAT GOES ALL THE WAY BACKWARDS. TEMPERARY LOSS OF CONTROL BECAUSE PEDALS CANNOT BE REACHED. INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10 TIMES AND AT ALL SPEEDS ENCLUDING WHEN ONE IS SAFELY COMING TO A STOP. DRIVER IS SUDDENLY THROWN BACKWARDS WHEN SEAT CUSHION TRACT ADJUSTER FAILS. WHEN TRYING TO PARK AND DRIVER TURNS TO LOOK OUT OF BACK WINDOW THE SEAT SLIDES ALL THE WAY BACK JUST BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT SHIFT OF THE DRIVER. WHEN IN MOTION AND THIS HAPPENS THE CAR VEERS OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL DRIVER CAN REGAIN CONTROL AGAIN. THE TEMPORARY OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION IS DUE TO DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH PEDALS AND THE SHOCK OF SUDDEN SEATING POSITION BEING CHANGED UNEXPECTEDLY.
NHTSA complaint #718496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temperamce, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE ELECTRONICALLY HEATED SEATS STARTED BURNNG THE DRIVER'S BACK WHILE DRIVING, THEY OVERHEATED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #855306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.