2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON. ALSO, THERE WAS A CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, FREON WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. . *JB

GOT THIS CAR NEW 2003,AT 376 MILES HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS,HAD IT BACK TO DEALER 10 OR 11 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM,SO ABOUT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS I HAVE TO TURN ROTORS OR GET NEW ONE;S+BRAKE PADS,ALSO DASH LIGHTS ARE OUT,AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW,THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER OWNED ,AS I AM A RETIRED OTR TRUCK DRIVER ,SO I DONT MISUSE BRAKES. *TT

THE TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHT LIGHTS UP AFTER BACKING UP AND BRAKING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS. THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *KB

Mileage: 79,000

UNDER HARD HIGH SPEED BRAKING THE FRONT BRAKES SHUDDER BADLY CAUSING A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY DUE TO WARPED ROTORS MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. IF PRESSURE ON PEDAL IS NOT RELEASED THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. IT IS WORSE IF GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON GM CARS BUILD IN THE LAST 8 YEARS. THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH POORLY MADE BRAKE ROTORS THAT WARP AT UNDER 15,000 MILES OF NORMAL USE. I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S 2003 IMPALA. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ROTORS REPLACED WITH PARTS OF ADEQUATE QUALITY. IF YOU CAN GET THE ISSUE ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER WILL ONLY EITHER TURN THE DEFECTIVE ROTORS OR REPLACE THEM WITH THE SAME OEM JUNK. THE ONLY FIX I HAVE FOUND IT TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTERMARKET ROTORS AND PADS. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

THE IMPALA HAS BRAKES THAT HAVE A LOT OF CHATTER. THE BRAKES PULSATE AND HAVE A VIOLENT SHAKING FIT. I HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 66,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED WITHIN 15000 MILES AND IT CONTINUES. THE QUALITY IS POOR AND IS A ROAD HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 113,500

FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IN A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA. COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. *KB

Mileage: 93,500

2003 CHEVY IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS FOR VEHICLE AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING. *JB

COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 74000 MILES ---------------------------------------------------------------- THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES THEN GOES OFF. BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. HOW CAN I RESET THIS OR WHAT TO NOT HAVE A TRIP TO THE EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, NO DELAYS OR BRAKE HESITATION WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN USE. HELP ME OUT WITH A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE. *TR

THE TRACTION CONTROL IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGING EVEN UNDER IDEAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. IT ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A NOISE IS HEARD AND A SLIGHT PUSH BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL OCCURS. NOISE IS POSSIBLY FROM THE ABS. SINCE THE TWO (TC AND ABS) ARE LINKED IT COULD BE DISRUPTING ONE OR THE OTHER. I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I PERSONALLY HAVE DISCONNECTED AND CLEANED THE CONNECTIONS BEHIND THE WHEELS AS MENTIONED BY OTHERS. THAT WORKED FOR A MONTH OR SO WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS TO NO AVAIL. *TR

2003 CHEVY IMPALA. PASSLOCK STYSTEM THINKS THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN, DISABLING THE IGNITION FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES AT A TIME. SOMETIMES LEAVING YOU STRANDED. ALSO ABS AND TRAC CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AT 100,00 MILES. NO MORE ABS OR TRAC CONTROL AS PARTS ARE OVER $3,000. OIL SPILL OUT OF FILLER NECK ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND RECALL ONLY MOVED SPARK PLUG WIRES, OIL PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS DIM TO COMPLETE DARKENESS, OR SUPER BIRGHT AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES. ISSUE IS THE DIMMER SWITCH. PISS POOR DESIGN BY GM. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING VEHICLES UNTIL THEY PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

UPON GOING FOR STATE INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTING AND FLAKING AND IF THIS WAS NOT CORRECTED, CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION NEXT YEAR. WAS TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO NOT DRIVING THE CAR ENOUGH (UNDERUSAGE). MY CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA 4 DOOR SEDAN. THE COST WAS $344.50 TO REPAIR. ON TODAY'S NEWS I NOTICED THAT GENERAL MOTORS PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUV'S ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM MIGHT ALSO INVOLVE THE IMPALA. *TR

Mileage: 9,269

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. 3,000 MILES AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SHE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. ON APRIL 8, 2003, DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS, NOV. 19, 2003 FREED UP SLIDERS, MARCH 26, 2004 FULL ROTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED IN FLORIDA, JUNE 7, 2005 COMPLETE BRAKE CHANGE. AUG. 16, 2005 RESURFACED BRAKES AND ROTORS, JAN. 16, 2006 REFACED REAR ROTORS, JUNE 30, 2006 REPLACED REAR ROTORS AND REFACED FRONT ROTORS, JAN. 10, 2007 RESURFACE WORK NEEDED TO BE DONE BUT DID NOT PERFORM REPAIRS, MAY 23, 2007 REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, MAY 22, 2008, REPLACED REAR PADS AND SERVICED CALIPERS. THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS AND FEEL AS THOUGH THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN TO REMEDY TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3259 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50295. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER AND REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WERE INOPERATIVE. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE DEALER LUBED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE REAR STABILIZER SHAFT AND LINK WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/15/08. *JB

Mileage: 3,239

MILEAGE THE FIRST TIME WAS 18,368 WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEV DURAND MICHIGAN. FINDINGS WERE "ALL FOUR ROTORS HAD LATERAL RUNOUT BEYOND SPECS". THEY RESURFACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. MILEAGE SECOND TIME WAS 31,038 AND AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEVROLET DURAND MICHIGAN. WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE ROTORS AND QUESTIONED ME IF I WAS A 2 FOOT DRIVER. ALWAYS BLAME THE CONSUMER--THAT WAS SMART. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE GARAGE IN MY AREA AND GUESS WHAT AGAIN THEY HAD TO RESURFACE THE FRONT & REAR ROTORS. I WROTE TO GM'S CEO WAGONER DOCUMENTING ALL THE FACTS AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A YOUNG LADY WHO TOLD ME "THINGS WEAR OUT" . *TR

Mileage: 18,368

MILEAGE THE FIRST TIME WAS 18,368 WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEV DURAND MICHIGAN. FINDINGS WERE "ALL FOUR ROTORS HAD LATERAL RUNOUT BEYOND SPECS". THEY RESURFACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. MILEAGE SECOND TIME WAS 31,038 AND AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HAN GRAFF CHEVROLET DURAND MICHIGAN. WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE ROTORS AND QUESTIONED ME IF I WAS A 2 FOOT DRIVER. ALWAYS BLAME THE CONSUMER--THAT WAS SMART. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE GARAGE IN MY AREA AND GUESS WHAT AGAIN THEY HAD TO RESURFACE THE FRONT & REAR ROTORS. I WROTE TO GM'S CEO WAGONER DOCUMENTING ALL THE FACTS AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A YOUNG LADY WHO TOLD ME "THINGS WEAR OUT" . *TR

Mileage: 18,368

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 25,000 MILES. NOW AT 45,000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALSO, BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 25,000 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 45,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 45,405

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT KEEPS SHOWING A SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM ALARM. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES SHUT OFF. I HAVE CHECKED THE CODES AND NONE SHOW. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE IN THE WIRING HARNESS OR THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON EITHER OR BOTH SIDES. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT KEEPS SHOWING A SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM ALARM. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES SHUT OFF. I HAVE CHECKED THE CODES AND NONE SHOW. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE IN THE WIRING HARNESS OR THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON EITHER OR BOTH SIDES. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN A TURN. ALSO COULD FEEL A "THUMP" THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT SAME TIME. WE ARE STATIONED IN GERMANY IN THE AIR FORCE. TOOK IT TO THE OPEL DEALER (CHEVY EQUIV. IN GERMANY) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER $300 AND A LONG TIME WAITING FOR THE PART, IT WAS REPLACED AND HASN'T GIVEN US A PROBLEM SINCE. ALSO HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR "EATING" BRAKES AND ROTORS. REMINDS ME EXACTLY OF MY BUICK REGAL I HAD WITH THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. AFTER I SOLD THE REGAL, I WAS SENT INFO ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GMC FOR THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. BOTH ARE GREAT CARS BUT BRAKES STINK. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN A TURN. ALSO COULD FEEL A "THUMP" THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT SAME TIME. WE ARE STATIONED IN GERMANY IN THE AIR FORCE. TOOK IT TO THE OPEL DEALER (CHEVY EQUIV. IN GERMANY) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER $300 AND A LONG TIME WAITING FOR THE PART, IT WAS REPLACED AND HASN'T GIVEN US A PROBLEM SINCE. ALSO HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR "EATING" BRAKES AND ROTORS. REMINDS ME EXACTLY OF MY BUICK REGAL I HAD WITH THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. AFTER I SOLD THE REGAL, I WAS SENT INFO ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GMC FOR THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES. BOTH ARE GREAT CARS BUT BRAKES STINK. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

20003 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 45,242 MILES NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS TURNED DUE TO WARPING. $190 *JB

Mileage: 45,242

THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, WITH OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES NOTED IN REVERSE AND HEADLIGHTS "SURGING" AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPLICATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRINDING. I WAS TOLD A LOOSE WIRE WAS CAUSING NOISE IN REVERSE. ON 09/26/05, AFTER NOTICING HARD STALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT $281.60 FOR NEW ONE. 12/09/05, TO DEALERSHIP FOR STARTING CONCERNS AND MAINTENANCE. 04/13/06-CAR WOULD NOT START TO LEAVE WORK. WARD'S CHEVROLET CAME TO MY WORK SITE. LEFT ME A RENTAL AND KEPT MY CAR UNTIL 04/20/06. I PAID $674.56 FOR A 2ND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE. 06/21/06- TO LOCAL GARAGE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. $100 PAID FOR "SHORT" IN ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED NO START AND TOWING. 08/04/06-COOPER BUICK IN MONROE,LA- $281.00 FOR ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND RECALL ON 2003 IMPALA HEADGASKETS THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. 11/22/06-NO START, TURN OVER-WENT OUTSIDE 3 HOURS LATER-STARTS WITH HARD START. 12/06/06-BRAKES WENT FROM QUIET TO GRINDING-SLOW HARD STARTS CONTINUE. WARD'S KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH-NEVER TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR EXCEPT BRAKES. DID NOT CHARGE. AT THIS TIME I HAD REQUESTED A GM INVESTI.-NO RESULTS-STATES"THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE CONCERN". THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE SLOW, HARD STARTS WITH VERY NOTICEABLE GAS SMELLS. THE SMELL OF GAS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 04/20/06 REPAIRS. NOW SERVICE, ABS, SECURITY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND SLOW, HARD STARTS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING WARD'S SINCE THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2007 REQUESTING FACTORY REP. TO MEET AND DRIVE CAR AFTER THEIR HAVING A MONTH WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CARS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THIS A.M. TO BE INFORMED THAT NEW SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SINCE MARCH I HAVE REQUESTED THE FACTORY REP. WITH NO RESPONSE FROM WARD'S. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

OUR 2003 IMPALA LS @ 50K MILES HAD A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THAT GREATLY INCREASED WITH HARDER BRAKING AND ALSO A STEADY VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END THAT INCREASED AS SPEED INCREASED. MY RETIRED FATHER IN LAW BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, BRIAN HARRIS CHEVROLET IN BATON ROUGE, LA AND HE FELT THAT HE WAS TREATED POORLY BY THE SERVICE DEPT. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO ALL STAR CHEVROLET WHERE WE WERE TREATED PROFESSIONALLY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND WARPED ROTORS, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT WAS APPROVED BY THE WARRANTY CARRIER, WHICH COULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS. THEY SAID THAT RENTAL CAR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE MADE IF WARRANTY REPAIR WAS APPROVED. WE PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND PICKED UP OUR CAR AND THEN TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH FOR YEARS AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES. THEY RESURFACED THE BRAKE ROTOR AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW @ 80K MILES WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME WARPED ROTOR PROBLEMS AGAIN. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MULTIPLE UNKNOWN COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.

Mileage: 50,000

I HAVE 34000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE TO TAKE IT IN SOON AS THE BRAKES ARE AGAIN PULSATING. THIS WILL BE THE 6TH TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED. THERE IS A CONSTANT RUBBING SOUND WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER IS A "NORMAL" SOUND IN AN IMPALA. THERE IS NOTHING "NORMAL" ABOUT THIS SOUND. 12/11/03 IS THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED A BRAKE PROBLEM AND HAVE CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL THE PRESENT.

Mileage: 100

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING ADEQUATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE FOUR ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED, HOWEVER THE PADS WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 14950 MILES.

Mileage: 14,954

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BREAK ROTORS WERE CRACKED. THE BREAK ROTORS AND BREAK PADS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 25,053

AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES THE BRAKE WARNING TAB STARTED MAKING THE SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICE. I WAS EXPECTING JUST PADS WERE NEEDED, BUT NOT THE CASE. I WAS TOLD AND SHOWN THE ROTORS HAD WORN DOWN TOO FAR TO CUT. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE BELOW SAFE DEPTH. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WITH ONLY 45,000 ON THE CAR. THE ROTORS WERE JUNKED AND MY REPAIR BILL WENT TO TWICE AS MUCH. IS THIS AMERICAN QUALITY OR WHAT! OTHER THAN THIS, I HAVE AND DO LIKE MY IMPALA. CHEVY COULD CALL AND MAKE THIS RIGHT WOULD PUT THING 100% RIGHT WITH ME. WILL THEY DO THAT??? JB

Mileage: 45,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE CHANGING THE FRONT BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THE REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE ROTORS MAY HAVE RUSTED DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENT. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

Mileage: 38,000

AT APP. 32,000 MILES I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE 2 ROTORS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 IMPALA, NOT DRIVEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE TERRAIN IS FLAT, MILD WINTERS WITH LITTLE ROAD SALT EXPOSURE. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *NM

Mileage: 32,000

2003 CHEVY IMPALA, BOUGHT NEW. ALL FOUR BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. WARPED, SCORED ROTORS. CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT ROTORS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID MY DRIVING HABITS AND THE CLIMATE WERE TO BLAME. I'VE BEEN DRIVING GM CARS IN THIS AREA FOR 40 YEARS, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE CENTER TO REPORT DEFECTIVE PARTS. HAVE PARTS. CLAIM DENIED. I HAD MY OWN MECHANIC REPLACE PARTS WITH HEAVY DUTY ROTORS. LIGHTWEIGHT ROTORS SHOULD NEVER BE STANDARD ON CARS SOLD ON LOTS IN NORTH CONWAY, NH. *JB

Mileage: 27,512

I OWN A 2003 IMPALA I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND BRAKES FIXED TWICE STILL PLEASED OVERALL. HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANTI-FREEZE IN MY CAR. I CALLED A SPOKE TO A SERVICE TECH HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY HAD A LEAK SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT IT IN HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A HAIR LINE CRACK IN MY GASKET AND I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY DID MY LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON. WHY DID I HAVE TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN? AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS I FIND I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING A COOLANT CONCERN. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO MORE CAREFULLY. IT IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM IN THE 2003 IMPALA AND THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *NM

VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. REFER TO ODI # 10134740. SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE FROM PASSENGER DOOR TO THE BUMPER. *JB

Mileage: 38,600

REFER TO THE GM RECALL ON 800,000 VEHICLES DUE CORROSION AFFECTS ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I OWN A CHEVY IMPALA 2003 4DR SDN V6 FWD W/ANTILOCK BRAKES AND AWS. THE SYSTEM FAILED MUCH LIKE IN THE ABOVE STATED RECALL LAST WINTER IN MICHIGAN. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, UPON ATTEMPTING SLOW THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE SYSTEM IT FAILED DOING JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. THERE WERE GRINDING NOISES, VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE, LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE TOOK OVER. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 5 MPH. THE LOSS OF CONTROL DUE SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTED IN SAID VEHICLE ENDING UP IN A 70 FOOT DITCH WHEREUPON IT HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF. DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT LEFT FENDER, BUMPER AND DRIVING LIGHT. *NM

BRAKES FADE WHEN STOPPING HARD. *JB

Mileage: 25,000

RE: CHEVROLET IMPALA 2003 PURCHASED 4/7/2003 VIN [XXX] IN GENERAL I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE ABOVE, BUT I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASE THE CAR AND IT ONLY HAS 11,225 MILES OF DRIVING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY APARTMENT IS ON THE BEACH SO I PARK CLOSE TO THE OCEAN ABOUT 8 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 6,289 MILES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A VIBRATION OR GRABBING FEELING UNLIKE NORMAL SMOOTH BRAKING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET IN QUINCY, MA ON AUG 16, 2004. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BRAKES WERE RUSTED OR PITTED AND NEEDED TO BE GROUND DOWN OR REPLACED (SEE COPY OF WORK ORDER FROM QUIRK ATTACHED). I ASKED HIM HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE MECHANISM IS EXPOSED TO THE AIR AND NOT PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, SO THAT THE SALT AIR FROM THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PITTING IN THE BRAKES. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 11,225 MILES WHEN THE SAME FEELING IN BRAKING WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER. AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIR AT QUIRK AND THEY REPORTED ''INSPECTED AND FOUND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES RUSTED BADLY, REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE COST ABOUT $725! PS: I TALKED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, VIKIE SMITH AT 1 800 222 1020 REGARDING THIS MATTER ON THIS DATE AND SHE STARTED A FILE OR REPORT IN THE COMPUTER AT THAT TIME. HER DIRECT LINE IS 866 932 4368 EXT 35336, FILE NUMBER [XXX]. ON THIS DATE WE HAD A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE QUIRK SERVICE DEPT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVE ON THE BEACH AND I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH TO KEEP THE RUST FROM BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKES. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 6,289

DT: CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE METAL TO METAL. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JIMS MUFFLERS TO GET THE BRAKES FIXED. THE MECHANIC TOOK OFF ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED THE CONSUMER THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AND PADS. THE MECHANIC THE CLEANED CALIPERS. THE CONSUMER SPENT ABOUT $500.00 FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE BRAKES HE STATED THAT THEY LOOKED AS IF THEY HAD SAT IN WATER. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN WATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MAYBE THE ROTORS OR CALIPERS WERE CONTAMINATED BECAUSE BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE LOOKED THAT BAD FOR THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE ROTORS WERE SO RUSTY.*AK *JB

Mileage: 23,000

2003 IMPALA. BRAKES STARTED TO PULSATE SEVERELY AT SLIGHTLY OVER 36000 MILES. SINCE BRAKE PROBLEMS ARE USUALLY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (AND IT HAD EXPIRED ANYHOW), I TOOK IT TO A LOCALLY RELIABLE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. HE SUSPECTED A WARPED FRONT ROTOR (AS I DID ALSO). REMOVED AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE PULSATION WAS STILL THERE. REMOVED BOTH REAR ROTORS. BOTH WERE BADLY SCORED ON THE INSIDE - NOT VISIBLE DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, BOTH ROTORS WERE PARTIALLY CRYSTALIZED, AGAIN ON THE INSIDE. THE PADS HERE WERE ALSO SCORED BADLY. AFTER READING REPORTS ON 2003 IMPALAS ON MYCARSTATS.COM, I DECIDED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST THERE, ALL SIMILAR IN NATURE. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 37,200

THE CONSUMER HAS TWO VEHICLES A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA BOTH ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE IMPALA HAD BADLY WARPED ROTORS ON THE RIGHT REAR. ONLY ONE ROTOR WAS BADLY WARPED. BOTH REAR ROTORS WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY RUINED THE BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18K MILES ON IT. THE SUBURBAN HAD 33K MILES WHEN THE BRAKES PRODUCED A SERIOUS GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. THE ROTORS WERE SO BADLY CORRODED THAT THEY DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING. THE WEAR SENSORS WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE DESTROYED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL AGAINST THE METAL ON ONE WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS AND GMC PICK-UPS. 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA VIN: [XXX] AND 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN VIN: [XXX]. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONTACT STATED: HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ON CAR THAT INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED ON. THE BRAKES WERE GRIPPING AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT IT TOOK SOMETIME TO DO SO. ONLY HAPPENED IN THE WINTER.*AK

Mileage: 20,400

THIS IS NOT IN REPECT TO A ACCIDENT OR PART FAILURE. BUT I READ TODAY IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO GM TRUCKS IN THE SALT-BELT THAT HAD IMPROPER CORROSION ON THE BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. I JUST BROUGHT MY 2003 CHEVY IMPALA FOR A TIRE ROTATION AT MY CALIFORNIA MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED MY THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE SHOWING AN UNUSUAL CORROSION. HE SAID THAT ROAD SALT IN ILLINOIS, WHERE THE CAR IS USED 50% OF THE YEAR, MAY HAVE BEEN A REASON, BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE USUAL CORROSION HE IS USED TO SEEING ON SALT BELT CARS. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PULSING RATHER STRANGELY AND MY BRAKING DISTANCE SEEMS INCREASED SINCE THE LAST TIME I LEFT ILLINOIS. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE OTHER NON-TRUCK COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE, GIVEN THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MY EXPERIANCE AND THE TRUCK INVESTIGATION?

I OWN A 2003 IMPALA. AT 16000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS.*AK

Mileage: 16,000

I OWN A 2003 IMPALA. AT 16000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS.*AK

Mileage: 16,000

BRAKES MADE GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED ( 7403 MILES ), PULSATION HEARD AND FELT,RIGHT REAR ROTOR SEVERALLY PITTED,TURNEDREMAINING 3 ROTORS AND SANDED PADS.PERFORMED ROAD VARIATION TEST ON TIRES RIGHT FRONT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. AT 15334 MILES SAME PROBLEM, SURFACE OF ROTORS FOUND TO BE VERY CORRODED,RESURFACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND REPLACED REAR BRAKE ROTORS, ALSO SENT A PRODUCT REPORT TO GM AND ATTENTION OF SHOP FOREMAN AND FACTORY REP. AT 18728 MILES ROTORS CORRODED AGAIN RESURFACED.THIS IS THIRD TIME FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN DRIVING THIS 2003 CHEV IMPALA AND I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ( UNSAFE ) THE FACTORY REP. OFFERED ME $1000 VOUCHER TOWARD A NEW CAR. I HAVE ALL THE NAMES AND DOCUMENTION IN MY FILES.*AK

Mileage: 7,403

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS DID PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB

Mileage: 18,304

MECHANIC ADVISED OWNER THAT REAR CALIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY RESULTING IN FRONT DISCS OVERHEATING. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK AND THEY "TOOK DOWN" THE REAR DISCS. LOOKED LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, SO AS TO GIVE REAR DISCS USED APPEARANCE. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. STILL MAKING NOISE AND REAR BRAKE DISC'S APPEAR RUSTED. *JB

EXPERIENCING CLUNK IN STEERING; ALSO FAILED ROTORS.*AK

Mileage: 55,000

THE REAR ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED. ELEVEN MONTHS LATER, BOTH SETS OF ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES THEY PULSATED. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT BRAKES WERE CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. *JB *SC

Mileage: 16,845

THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DRENCHED IN BLUE. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE VIBRATION RECURRED, THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE REAR ROTORS AND SANDED DOWN THE REAR BRAKES BECAUSE THE WERE GLAZED. *JB

Mileage: 8,618

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

ALL FOUR BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 6,000

ALL 4 ROTORS ON MY CAR HAVE GONE BAD. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN OCT 2002, AND AT 8500-9000 MILES IN MARCH OF 03, I HAD EXTREME PULSATION IN STEERING DUE TO FRONT ROTORS BEING WARPED. DEALER TURNED ROTORS, AND THEN 10,000 MILES LATER NEEDED TURNED AGAIN, AND NOW AT 33,000 MILES DEALER IS TELLING ME TO BUY NEW ROTORS AND THAT THE BACK ROTORS ALSO NEED TO BE TURNED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 SOME YEARS AND NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED ROTORS TURNED SO SOON,, AND SO I AM SURE THERE IS FAULT WITH THE ROTORS THEY ARE PUTTING ON THE CAR. 2003 IMPALA. *LA

Mileage: 8,500

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE TO REDUCE SPEED. ABS LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTRO. AND HAD A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO CHEST WHEN IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Mileage: 23,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP INCLINE, I COULD FEEL THE PULSATING OF THE ABS, ALONG WITH DIMINISHED BRAKING POWER. AFTERWARDS, I NOTICED THE ABS WOULD COME ON NOTICEABLY EACH TIME I BRAKED FROM 40-60 MPH. THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR CALIPER DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE MAKING GOOD CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR AS ON THE OTHER BRAKES. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DOBLER CHEVROLET IN HEMPSTEAD, NY) SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR JULY 8, 2004. THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT.*AK

Mileage: 13,500

NOTICED INCREASING NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. TOOK CAR IN FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND FRONT BRAKE SERVICE. WAS INFORMED THE REAR ROTORS ARE BADLY RUSTED AND CORRODED , MAY NOT BE IMPROVED BY GRINDING OR TURNING, AND MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE LININGS ARE AT 20-25% ON THE FRONT AND 15-20% ON THE REAR. I POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICE GARAGE HAD DONE A SAFETY INSPECTION A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND DOCUMENTED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE OK, AND THE FRONT BRAKES HAD 50% OF THE LINING LEFT. CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND SPOKE WITH DELOSHA PAYNE, WHO CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, CALLED ME BACK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WORE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE FRONT, AND WHOEVER ROTATED MY TIRES SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE ROTORS AND INFORMED ME THEY NEEDED SERVICE. I HAD ASKED THIS GARAGE ABOUT ROTATING THE TIRES AT BOTH INSPECTIONS AND NEITHER TIME DID ANYONE INDICATE IT SHOULD BE DONE. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED IT. *LA

Mileage: 33

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT, CAUSING HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE WARPED ROTORS AND CLEANED THE PADS BUT THE VIBRATION RECURRED. THE CONSUMER HAD TWO DIFFERENT TECHNICIANS FAX HIM A COPY OF GENERAL MOTOR DOCUMENTS PERTAINING ROTOR PROBLEMS. *NM

Mileage: 40,000

THERE WAS A BAD ODOR WITHIN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR DID NOT OCCUR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON . THE ODOR MADE THE OCCUPANTS SICK. THE CAUSE AND LOCATION OF THE ODOR WAS UNKNOWN ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS BEING TO THIN. *AK THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY A BAD FAN MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. THE BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEM CONTINUED. GM REFUSED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

Mileage: 9

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER CHANGED THE CALIPER TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKES WERE METALLIC THEREFORE THEY WOULD ALWAYS SQUEAK. *NM

WHEN DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT A POSSIBLE CAUSE WAS WARPED BRAKE ROTORS. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE WARPED ROTORS. *JB THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED BETWEEN 12 AND 15 THOUSAND MILES. *SCC

Mileage: 12,984