129 of the
1,128 complaints about the 2000 Chevrolet Impala are about the
steering — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
59,886 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE KEY POSITION MOVED WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN EXTENSIVE LACERATION WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG COMPONENTS PROJECTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER HAD CONTINUOUS HEADACHES AND THE INJURY REQUIRED STITCHES. CHEVROLET OF MORRISTOWN (5320 WEST ANDREW JOHNSON HWY, MORRISTOWN, TN 37814, 423-408-2966) WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT CALL A LAWYER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INITIALLY NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH, BUT WAS LATER CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11230751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 195,795 milesHacienda Heights, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND AN UNKNOWN FLASHING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,795.
NHTSA complaint #10966402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesBritchport, CT
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09E005000 (STEERING) AND 08E063000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #10887737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 181,038 milesREX, GA
STEERING
I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT THEIR RACK AND PINION HAS BROKEN AND THEY HAVE FIX IT AND IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. THE RACK AND PINION ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. I DONT FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH DRIVING THIS CAR AT ALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. CAN YOU PLEASE GET THIS FIX. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING VERY WELL ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY. IT HAS STARTED TO SHAKE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I MADE IT HOME SAFE TO BE TOLD THAT MY RACK AND PINION HAD BROKE. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE IF SOMETHING WOULD HAVE HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10823725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesSandy, UTCrash
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO BE SCRAPED ON THE LEFT SIDE FROM A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND SLIGHTLY WENT OVER A CURB. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE RENTAL COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10811757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesDistrict Heights, MDCrash
STEERING
THE CAR SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED. STARTING DISABLED AND CUT OFF. LOSING ALL CONTROL OF BRAKES STEERING AND ACCELERATION. AT THIS POINT I REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10683592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesHickory, NC
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #10650851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesNorth Charleston, SC
STEERING
FOLLOW-UP ON COMPLAINT# 10650094. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM,AND TRIED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM GM WITH NO RESULTS OTHER THAT THE RUN-AROUND. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIR THAT IS SUGGESTED IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE IGNITION IS A 2 PART SWITCH AND THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE SWITCH IS ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IN MY CASE IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE SWITCH IS WHAT CONTROLS THE POWER, BRAKES, AIRBAG, AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS. YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE ELECTRICAL PART IS WHAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10650360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesNorth Charleston, SC
STEERING
I WAS HEADING TO WORK I SLOWED TO TURN RIGHT ON TO THE ON RAMP OF THE INTERSTATE, AS I BEGAN MY TURN I LOST ALL POWER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, LIGHTS WENT DEAD AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I MADE IT TO THE CURB AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. I HAVE CHECKED ALL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE AND HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT CHECKED FINE. STARTER IS BRAND NEW. MASS AIR SENSOR CHECKS OK AND CAM AND CRANK SENSORS CHECK OK. I WAS LUCKY IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD HAVE HAD NO CHANCE TO RECOVER FROM THIS FAILURE. EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS 14 YEARS OLD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER CARRIED MORE THAN THE IGNITION KEY AND KEY FOB ON THE KEY RING AS BOTH MY WIFE AND I USE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10650094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,000 milesAtlanta, GA
STEERING
I HAVE A 2000 IMPALA WITH APPROXIMATELY 161,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS USED AND I AM THE 2ND OWNER. I WENT TO HAVE MY NORMAL OIL CHANGE AS I HAD NOTICED THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING OUT OF OIL FREQUENTLY, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY OIL LEAKS. THE PRINT OUT AFTER THE OIL CHANGE STATED MULTIPLE OIL LEAKS. BUT THERE WAS NEVER ANY OIL ON THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND WAS STARING TO RUN WARMER THAN USUAL. NOT HOT, BUT PAST THE MIDDLE LINE ON THE TEMP GAUGE. AND I HAD NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AFTER DRIVING, BUT NEVER SAW ANY SMOKE. THIS ALL STARTED IN APRIL 2014 AND HAS BEEN ONGOING. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. NOW JULY 5,2014 I WENT TO TURN LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO PUT A LOT OF MUSCLE INTO TURNING THE WHEEL. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND SAW IT WAS LOW SO I TOPPED IT OFF. PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED RIGHT? WRONG. IT GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TENSIONER PULLEY. O'ER $100 LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WHEN I TURN LEFT THE WHEEL STAYS STUCK AND I HAVE TO JERK IT BACK STRAIGHT. THUS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I TRANSPORT MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THESE PROBLEMS STARED THE CAR EATS A LOT OF GAS. GOING 5 MILES SHOULD NOT USE ALMOST A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AT RANDOM TIMES, DURING THESES TIMES THE CAR EATS A LOT IF GAS. WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON GAS MILEAGE IS OK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10609136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesElmont, NY
STEERING
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF MAKING ME LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AND ALMOST CAUSING A BAD ACCIDENT. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO A STOP AND I RESTARTED THE IGNITION. I PULLED OFF AND SAT IN A LOT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE MERGING ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10606327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 235,000 milesWesterville, OH
STEERING
LOUD NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN WHINING NOISE HEARD THROUGHOUT TURNING MOTION REQUIRES MORE EFFORT FROM DRIVER TO STEER VEHICLE ON TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10578945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesEL Dorado, AR
STEERING
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!! THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10573651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesFlorence, KY
STEERING
MY STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN WHEN TURNING MOSTLY LEFT BUT HAS DONE IT WHILE TURNING RIGHT ALSO. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE?
NHTSA complaint #10550170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesCheyenne, WY
STEERING
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING OF MY IMPALA WITH LOW MILEAGE. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL INVOLVED IN THE IMPALA'S STEERING AND A PART WAS REPLACED AND DURING THAT TIME DEALER ALSO CHANGED OUT THE RACK AND PINION. I BARELY GOT MY VEHICLE HOME ON THURSDAY AND COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY FOR THE FEW YARDS I HAD TO GO. I COULD BARELY TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDED SO AWFUL. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO MY HOME, SO I SLOWLY WENT A FEW YARDS. MY STEERING WAS GONE BUT SOME HOW I GOT MY CAR PARKED SAFELY AT MY APARTMENT AND THE TOW COMPANY HAD TO TOW IT LATER. MY MECHANIC JUST TOLD ME THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAVE FAILED AND THEY WERE JUST REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO AND SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE SO WITH THE LITTLE MILEAGE MY VEHICLE HAS. THE RACK HAD CAUSED ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. HOW CAN THAT BE IF IT WAS GOOD MANUFACTURE PARTS THAT WERE PUT IN THE STEERING. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT THE COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR IMPALAS AND THAT THEY CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED TO HAVE VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE. LUCKILY I WAS ALMOST HOME AND DID NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10514380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ansonia, CT
STEERING
I W ALSO AS DRIVING INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CAR STEERED ACROSS THE ENTRANCE AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP.I AM SO NERVOUS BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED,ALSO EVERY NOW AND THEN IT JUST WONT START UP AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL. THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK EITHER SO YOU CANT JUDGE THE GAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES I HAVE A 2000 CHEVY IMPALA.
NHTSA complaint #10483274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,669 milesJacksonville, FL
STEERING
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE REACHING 17,669 MILES. I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME AND HAVE PAID FOR IT TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT. THE SHAFT CONTINUES TO MAKE CRACKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PART DEFECT SINCE A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THE SHAFT REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IT LAST ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT STARTS TO MAKE A CRACKING NOISE. THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR IS A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED FOR ALL FOUR WINDOWS AND NOW I AM STARTING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE REGULATORS AGAIN FOR ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE REGULATOR REPLACEMENT IS EXPENSIVE ($400+ FOR EACH WINDOW).
NHTSA complaint #10445719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
STEERING
THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNIT IN THE 2000 IMPALA, BUT THIS IS THE LATEST; ON JULY 14 ,2010 I TOOK THE 2000 IMPALA INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. ASK THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER TO FIX IT. HE THEN DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS OIL SENSOR SWITCH LEAKAGE. AND HE COULD NOT MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART, BUT THE DIAGNOSE COST WAS $75.00 , SO I PAID AND DROVE OFF WITH A LEAKING 2000 CHEVY IMPALA . LATER,I NOTICE THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WROTE THE SERVICE ORDER UP AS THE CUSTOMER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. NOT TRUE, I SAID FLUID. THE LEAK GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE OIL SENSOR BUT THE LEAKAGE DID NOT STOP. THEREFORE, I PARK THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. ONE DAY I RAISED THE HOOD, TOOK A SMALL FLASHLIGHT AND TRACED THE LEAK TO TWO SEVER LINES. THE HARD RUBBER FLAP THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE CAR BODY TO KEEP DEBRIS OUT OF ENGINE RUBS AGAINST TWO FRAME MOUNTED LINES UNTIL IT CUT THROUGH BOTH LINES. FLUIDS LEAKS OUT AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING UNIT TOFAIL. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASON. DEALERSHIP WANTS $135.00 TO LOOK AT THE CAR AGAIN, I TOOK PICTURES. HERE IS MY PARTIAL COMPLAINT, CAN EMAIL PICTURES AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10367276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,255 milesDumont, NJ
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 CHEVY IMPALA LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD AND IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. THE DEALER THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A POWER STEERING PUMP AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS WHILE THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WASN'T ANY NOISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT DID REPORT THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,255 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,355. UPDATED 03/30/10.
NHTSA complaint #10313528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,255 milesDumont, NJ
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 CHEVY IMPALA LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD AND IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. THE DEALER THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A POWER STEERING PUMP AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS WHILE THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WASN'T ANY NOISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT DID REPORT THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,255 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,355. UPDATED 03/30/10.
NHTSA complaint #10313528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
STEERING
MY 2000 IMPALAS PASS LOCK SYSTEM STOPS THE CAR FROM STARTING FOR UP TO 45 MINUTES AT A TIME. I TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT WONT TURN OVER OR DO ANYTHING. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO START THE CAR. IT LEAVES MY FAMILY STRANDED WHEN WE TRY TO GO PLACES. WHAT WERE TO HAPPEN IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY? I'D BE STRANDED. ALSO THE STEERING CLUNKS ALOT WHEN I TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10284444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesMedford, MA
STEERING
I AM CONTINUOUSLY HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2000 CHEVY IMPALA. I HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED 11/07 WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND COULD NOT TURN. I ALMOST WENT OF THE ROAD FROM THIS. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING LUBED FOR SOME KNOCKING NOISE AND VIBRATION. HERE IT IS 2 YEARS LATER AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. KNOCKING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN I TURN LEFT. I ONLY HAVE 106,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. WHEN IS IT YOU WILL HOLD THE COMPANY LIABLE FOR AN ISSUE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT ALL ALONG? HOW MANY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE?
NHTSA complaint #10281664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesHarrisonburg, VA
STEERING
2000 IMPALA . LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACING. CHECKING WITH OTHER OWNERS APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP. APPEARS GMC CONTINUED TO USE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE UNIT FOR YEARS. WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10279846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCentreville, IN
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY. THE TIE ROD ENDS, RACK, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, TIRES, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND BOTH AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL PERSISTS. ON MARCH 6, 2009, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND PAID $600 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH WOULD COST $88. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10260955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesGagetwon, MI
STEERING
MY FINGERS DEVELOPED CURVATURES AND TWISTED KNUCKLES. I DEVELOPED LOWER BACK PAIN. SHOULDER PAIN. NECK PAIN. CARPAL TUNNEL. SCIATIC PAIN. REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY BECAUSE I COULD NOT LIFT MY ARM ABOVE SHOULDER HEIGHT. THE STIFF "HIGH EFFORT" STEERING WAS RESULTING IN MY BODY GENERATING FORCES TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH WERE RESULTING IN SHOCK LOADS TO MY SKELETAL SYSTEM JOINTS AND BONES. OTHER DRIVERS OF THE STIFF STEERING CHEVROLET IMPALA, SATURN'S, PONTIAC GRAND AM, PICK UP TRUCKS ALL EXPERIENCE THE SAME DEFORMITIES WITH HAND/FINGER FUNCTIONAL LOSSES. *TR UPDATED 05/27/10.
NHTSA complaint #10260980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesPerry, OH
STEERING
THE STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS OR IS DIFFICULT TO TURN BEYOND A CERTAIN ANGLE. IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. WORKING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH USUALLY LOOSENS. SEVERAL TIMES I TOOK IT TO MECHANICS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10241229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesFrederick, MDCrash1 injured
STEERING:COLUMN
CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER DRIVER PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO MOVE IT FROM A PARKED, IDLING POSITION, AFTER NOTICING A BURNING LIKE ODOR. IT WAS NOTED BY THE DRIVER AT THAT TIME THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE RED ZONE. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFER PARKING AREA ONLY A FEW FEET IN DISTANCE, SHE HEARD A SHARP SNAPPING SOUND AND ALSO FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN AREA. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AS THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKE CONTROL. NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE AN INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10211275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,900 milesImlay City, MI
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
ON THURSDAY 01 NOV 07 AND MONDAY 05 NOV 07 MY WIFE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF A BUSY HIGHWAY WHERE WE LIVE. WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT IT LOCKED OR WOULDN'T MOVE PLACING HER IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION OF POSSIBLY BEING HIT BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I CONFIRMED THE STEERING WHEELING LOCKING WHEN TURNING LEFT ONLY WHEN I GOT HOME BY DRIVING THE CAR AND HAVING IT LOCK ON ME ONE TIME IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE SEEN A WEB SITE CALLED WWW.DIRECT.CA/TRINITY/GM-STEERING-PROBEM.HTM WHICH HAS RECORDED OVER 250 U. S. COMPLAINTS. IT MENTIONS POLICE CHEVROLET IMPALA STEERING CAN LOCK-UP WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. MY POWER STEERING FLUID IS AT CORRECT LEVEL AND CAR HAS HIGHER MILEAGE AT AROUND 148,000. WE ARE PUTTING A RE-MANUFACTURED STEERING RACK AN PINION IN THIS WEEK TO TRY AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS RECOMMENDED BY WEB LETTER.
NHTSA complaint #10208119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,345 milesPlymouth, MN
STEERING
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STICKS AND MAKES CLUNKING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING. TSB SUGGESTED LUBRICATION KIT, THAT FIX WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. REPLACED SHAFT, NEW SHAFT HAS DEVELOPED SAME PROBLEM. THE DESIGN APPEARS FLAWED AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A STEERING COMPONENT BINDING. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS AND A NEW INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE SAME DESIGN IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10176906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.