2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA Exterior Lighting Problems
49 complaints about Exterior Lighting
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Exterior Lighting Complaints (49)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG BEND CHEVROLET BUICK (LOCATED AT 1424 N YOUNG BLVD, CHIEFLAND, FL 32626, (352) 493-4263) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT DID NOT HEED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TT *TR *BF*JB
Mileage: 89,000
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH DARK COUNTRY ROAD AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH TIME 10:35PM I HAD ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER THE HEADLAMPS WENT OFF LEAVING ONLY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON. VISIBILITY WAS INSTANTLY DECREASED TO AN UNSAFE LEVEL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. I HAD IMMEDIATELY REACTIVATED THE LOW BEAMS WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND THE HEADLAMPS (LOW BEAM) RESUMED OPERATION. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS WERE NOT IN OPERATION FOR ANY LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING COULD LEAD TO THE PROBABILITY OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS ELECTRICAL HEADLAMP PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE CHECKED ON-LINE RESOURCES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH CHEVROLET IMPALAS FROM THE 2000-2005 MODEL YEARS.
Mileage: 118,169
THE HI BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED, WHICH MADE THE LO BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THE HI BEAM WAS ENGAGED. REPAIR SERVICE FOUND A CORRODED "PIN" IN A MULTI-PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.THIS IS A "PROTECTED" CONNECTION, IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT HAS BEEN CORRODED FOR A VERY LONG TIME ACCORDING TO THE ELECTRIC SERVICEMAN. HE INFORMED ME THE OTHER "PINS" WILL FAIL ALSO EFFECTING THE WIPERS AND OTHER "NECESSARY" SAFETY COMPONENTS, BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THIS CONNECTOR.
Mileage: 169,000
WHILE DRIVING HORN SOUND WEAK AND STOPPED WORKING I HAD TO TAKE OUT FUSE FOR THE HORN BECAUSE IT WAS JUST SOUNDING OFF. ANOTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD KILL SOMEONE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SAME THING WITH THE HORN, SOMEONE CAN PULL OUT IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU CANNOT BLOW YOUR HORN. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
DRIVING AT NIGHT, I TURNED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER DRIVING IN THE DARK FOR A WHILE, I SWITCHED THE HEADLIGHTS BACK TO LOW BEAM AND THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO WORK ON LOW BEAM. THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT WORK AT ALL AT THIS POINT, AND THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN I SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS, WHICH IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
WE WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL BLACKTOP AFTER DARK AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THEY WOULD COME BACK ON FOR A MOMENT THAN GO BACK OUT. WE DROVE MOST OF THE 20+ MILES HOME WITH JUST THE FLASHERS ON. WE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED AND THOUGHT THAT TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HERE IN THE LAST MONTH (AUGUST 2014) IT HAS STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I WAS MERGING AND EXITING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND WENT TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL AND IT QUIT WORKING. UPON ARRIVING AT WORK I TRIED IT AGAIN AND NOTHING...I THEN TRIED MY OTHER TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT ALSO AND THEY DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I DO ALOT OF EXPRESSWAY DRIVING TO DIFFERENT CITIES DUE TO MY JOB OF WHICH I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND MERGE AND TURN QUITE FREQUENTLY SO THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN WITH MY TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHER NOT WORKING. *TR
Mileage: 104,000
RIGHT HAND BLINKER -- HAS STARTED FLICKERING..VERY FAST, WHEN I PUT MY RIGHT HAND BLINKER TO TURN.....IT STARTED EARLY JUNE....BUT THEN SUDDENLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL. JUST LAST WEEK/JULY14---IT STARTED FLICKERING VERY FAST AGAIN. IS THERE A PART THAT I CAN PURCHASE AND REPLACE MYSELF....I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, WOULD APPRECIATE THE ASSISTANCE....I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON DECEMBER 2004. *TR
Mileage: 77,990
TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE LOCK SYSTEM RESET ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. JCC
Mileage: 70,000
DRIVING ON GRANDE BLVD TYLER TX, ON MY WAY TO WORK, HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY, TURNED THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY WITH BRIGHTS ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS OCCURRED IN THE EARLY MORNING WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK OUT. THE PARKING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. PULLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF DASH TO THE "MANUAL ON" POSITION DID NOT HELP. I TURNED ON THE FOG LIGHTS AND RETURNED HOME USING THE FOG LIGHTS ONLY. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK AGAIN BY SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM AND BACK. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST MONTH. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FELT LIKE IT WAS FULLY ENGAGED AND GAVE AN AUDIBLE CLICK WHEN PULLED. I HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH TO REPAIR THIS. *TR
Mileage: 124,800
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT AT 6:30 AM ON 9-24-13 WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. IT WAS PITCH DARK AND I WAS TOTALLY WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE FOG LIGHTS THIS CAR HAS, BUT IT WAS STILL HARD TO SEE. I HAVE NOTICED THE LIGHTS SEEMED DIMMER THAN WHAT I CONSIDER NORMAL. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC. HE CANNOT FIND THE REASON FOR THE DIM LIGHTS OR THE LIGHTS GOING OFF BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM SURPRISED A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I CONDUCTED A GOOGLE SEARCH I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF GM VEHICLES. IT IS A WONDER I DID NOT CRASH MY VEHICLE AS I NEVER EXPECTED MY LIGHT TO GO OUT AS I TRAVELED DOWN A HIGHWAY. *JS
Mileage: 47,352
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE REVERSE INDICATOR LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT CASING WAS FULL OF WATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Mileage: 146,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DIM THE HEADLIGHTS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Mileage: 91,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DIM THE HEADLIGHTS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Mileage: 59,000
THIS REPORT IS ABOUT SUDDEN AND REPEATED HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE IN A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA SEDAN, AND A REQUEST FOR A NATIONWIDE SAFETY RECALL AND REPAIR AT GM EXPENSE FOR THIS ISSUE. AFTER GETTING IN MY 2005 IMPALA SEDAN AT APPROXIMATELY 4:55 PM ON 16 FEBRUARY 2012, I STARTED UP AND DROVE OUT ON THE ROAD THEN I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM) WERE OUT. I TRIED THE HIGH BEAMS AND THEY WORKED AS DID THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONED. AS DARKNESS INCREASED I HAD TO HOLD THE SWITCH IN THE HIGH BEAM POSITION SO I COULD SEE TO DRIVE SO I COULD GET HOME. FROM WHAT I COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IN THE WIRING TO/FROM THE MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH OR MAYBE IT IS THE SWITCH ITSELF ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FUSES AND RELAYS AND THE ALL SEEMED TO BE IN WORKING ORDER BUT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS STILL DID NOT WORK. THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NOW. WITH DEALER PARTS COST FOR A REPLACEMENT MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH AT $350.00 ALONE, NOT TO MENTION LABOR COSTS AND THE CRITICALITY OF LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MEANS THIS SHOULD BE A REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL ITEM. I HAVE SEARCHED MECHANICAL FORUMS ON THIS SUBJECT AND THERE ARE MANY SUCH OCCURRENCES DOCUMENTED, BUT GM DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM OR A REASON TO INVESTIGATE AND FIX THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AT GM DEALERSHIPS NATIONWIDE. SMELLING BURNING PLASTIC IS AN INDICATION OF A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ONBOARD FIRE IN THE CAR IN ADDITION TO CAUSING INJURY AND OR DEATH FROM A SUDDEN LIGHT OUTAGE AT NIGHT. AGAIN, I REQUEST A NATIONWIDE SAFETY RECALL AND REPAIR BE INITIATED AS IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 140,920
TONIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. I EVENTUALLY FLICKED THE LOW/HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THEY CAME ON. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING HOME AT ABOUT 55 MPH IN THE DARK ON A SINGLE LANE COUNTRY ROAD. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THEY CAME BACK ON FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I DROVE HOME SLOWLY WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ALERT, I COULD HAVE EASILY CRASHED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
16 YR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN HEADLIGHTS JUST QUIT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING WITH FOGLIGHTS ONLY. 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. VEHICLE IN GREAT SHAPE OTHERWISE AND MAINTAINED APPROPRIATELY. *TR
Mileage: 123,402
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY IMPALA IN 2008. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HWY, A VERY TWISTY ROAD . I HAD MY HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST CURVE MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, I JUMPED THE BRAKE AND FLIPPED THE LEVER BACK AND FORTH AND THEY FINALLY CAME BACK ON LOW BEAM, I ALMOST WREAKED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY JUST COMING INTO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN, HEAVY TRAFFIC, I FLIPPED THE LEVER BACK AND FORTH AND THE LOW BEAMS CAME BACK ON. I SPOKE WITH A DEALER WHO SAID THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES AND CAN'T BE PINNED TO ANY PARTICULAR TIMES, NOW I DRIVE WITH MY LIGHTS ON LOW ALL THE TIME. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAD TO REPLACE THEIR WHOLE STEERING COLUMN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS, BUT THE CAR ISN'T SAFE. IT KEEPS DOING IT AND ONE OF THESE TIMES I WILL FORGET AND IT WILL CATCH ME UNAWARE AND I WILL WRECK. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
AT APPROX 100,00KM THE HIGH BEAM IS ACTIVATED WHEN SIGNALING A RIGHT TURN. WHEN KEEPING THE HANDLE IN CERTAIN POSITION THE HIGH BEAM GOES OFF BUT COMES BACK AGAIN WHEN RELEASED. LATELY REMAINS ON WHEN THE SWITCH RETURNS TO MID POSITION. NEVER EXPERIENCED WHEN SIGNALING TO THE LEFT. THIS BEHAVIOR MAY BLIND THE INCOMING CARS' DRIVERS AND ALSO DISTRACTS MY ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING YET FOR FIXING THE DEFECT. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
I WAS DRIVING EARLY MORNING IT THE DARK AND MY HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING ON MY 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
Mileage: 78,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA . WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED INTO HER RESIDENCE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE FOR THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190000.
Mileage: 180,000
DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS OF SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS. HEADLIGHTS STAY OUT UNTIL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH IS FLIPPED AGAIN. IT STARTED HAPPENING ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE SPRING OF '09. AS TIME HAS PASSED, IT NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME HIGH BEAMS ARE USED. CANNOT FIND A DEALER OR MECHANIC THAT CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN POSSESSION, OR THAT HAS A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 94,235
TAILLIGHTS ON VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER AND TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR PANEL SEVERAL TIMES...PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN TAILLIGHTS TO DRAIN, BUT TRUNK STILL FILLS. DEALER REMOVED PLUG FROM TRUNK. TRUNK IS FULL OF MOLD. CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. SMELLS REALLY BAD IN SUMMER MONTHS. CANNOT INSERT KEY IN LOCK, PANEL IS ON CROOKED. IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR DEALER, SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME??? *TR
Mileage: 100
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ALL OF THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN AND IT BECAME DARK. HE TRIED TO USE THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. HE PULLED OVER AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE LIGHTS TURNED ON. IN APRIL 2010, WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF AGAIN. HE TRIED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS TOLD UNLESS HE COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST HIM. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,947. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Mileage: 52,000
HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN BRIGHT BEAM IS TURNED ON. WHEN YOU SWITCH BACK TO DIMS IT COMES BACK ON. AFRAID TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE. NO RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 76,000
THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WHEN ON THE BRIGHTS WILL JUST SHUT OFF, AND IT ONLY LEAVES THE MARKER LIGHTS LIT, UNTIL YOU PULL THE HEADLIGHT KNOB OUT.. WILL DO THIS INTERMITTENTLY.. HAS HAPPENED VERY OFTEN, EVERYTIME THE BRIGHTS ARE ON. *TR
I OWN A 2005 IMPALA LS AND WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND THEY WENT OUT. I CYCLED THE LIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES AND THEY WENT BACK ON. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OVER 60 PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT HAVEN'T REPORTED IT. I CONTACTED GM BUT HAD NO LUCK. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO I NEED TO CONTACT BEFORE ANYONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT AND GETS HURT OR DIES.*TR
Mileage: 46,124
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IF I PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF IT WILL USUALLY WORK. FLICKING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF MAY WORK TOO. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FEATURE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE CANNOT FIND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WHEN THERE SHOULD BE. *TR
HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WEATHER IT'S LOW BEAM OR HIGH BEAM MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THEN THAT ONE ONLY LASTED 3-4 MONTHS. THIS COULD REALLY POSE A DANGER HAS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY, THE ONLY THING I COULD DUE IS HOLD BACK ON LEVER TO KEEP HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE MARKER LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE IS GETTING EXPENSIVE IF I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THIS SWITCH. ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. *TR
Mileage: 89,000
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOP WORKING AFTER BEING USED A FEW TIMES. MAY START WORKING AGAIN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF ,THEN ON . 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED SPORADICALLY, THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT WAS POORLY ILLUMINATED, AND THE BATTERY FAILED SPONTANEOUSLY. WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURED, SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS IF THE WIRES WERE BURNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 120,000
TUESDAY, 1/27/09, WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL COUNTRY ROAD TO WORK AT 6:15 AM, VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT DARK. DASHBOARD LIGHTS STAYED ON, BUT OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT DARK FOR 8 TO 10 SECONDS. SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN MONDAY MORNING, 02/02/09. NO DIMMING OR WARNING, LIGHTS JUST WENT OFF AND I WAS DRIVING IN DARKNESS. 02/03/09 TOOK IMPALA TO GM DEALER TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC. THEY DETERMINED PROBLEM WITH THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL HIGH/LOW BEAM LEVER SWITCH (THIS UNIT ALSO HOUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHT CONTROLS). EST FOR REPAIRS $735.00. 02/07/09 HAD THE UNIT REPLACED AT ANOTHER GARAGE FOR $435.00. I KEPT THE DEFECTIVE UNIT. HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH TO FIND OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING ON OTHER IMPALAS RANGING AT LEAST FROM MODEL YEARS 2001 THRU 2005. IN SOME CASES THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAM. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO RELATE WHAT HAPPENED AS I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT DUE TO THE HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, THIS MULTIFUNCTIONAL LEVER SWITCH SHOULD BE "RECALLED". *TR
Mileage: 47,110
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED 4-5 INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. WHEN THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE USED, THE LOW BEAMS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE BEFORE THE LIGHTS FAILED. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AGAIN WHEN HE TURNED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,961. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONERN. UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AT NIGHT ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY LOST POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
Mileage: 55,000
LOW BEAM MALFUNCTION. LOW BEAM CONNECTOR COMPLETELY FRIED. CONNECTOR MELTED ON TO THE BULB. 3-5 BULBS NEED TO BE REPLACED EACH MONTH AND MUST TAKE IT TO THE AUTO SHOP TO HAVE A NEW CONNECTOR PLACED ON AS WELL. CHEVY WOULD NOT HELP, SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SAID THAT MY WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE RE-DONE BECAUSE THERE IS TOO MUCH POWER RUNNING TO THE BULBS. PRICE ESTIMATE $3500. *TR
HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENT FAILURE ON HIGH BEAM. CLICK TO LOW BEAM AND LIGHTS COME BACK ON. DISCONCERTING WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT AT HIGH SPEED. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE AT $362, BUT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
DRIVING DOWN PAVED ROAD HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T. I ALSO HAVE REPORTED MY SPEEDOMETER SHOWING 80 OR 90 MPH WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS AND 40 OR 50 MPH WHEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST INVOLVED. ALSO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND A WHEEL HUB. HUB REPLACED AND PAID OUT OF POCKET AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PAID $600 TO REPLACE THE HUB. HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE OF THAT DEFECT. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
I HAVE AN 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 45,000 MILES AND NIGHT TIME DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT AND SCARY AS THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED PARTS AND STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER HAS QUIT WORKING AND IS STUCK ON 140 MILES AN HOUR. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AROUND JULY OR AUG. 2006. AROUND 75,000 MILES WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I NOW HAVE 96,000 MILES. AT FIRST I WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BY SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAM AND THEN COULD SWITCH BACK TO HIGH BEAM AND THEY WOULD WORK. IN FEB. 2007 I HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BLOWER FAN AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ABOUT TO GO OUT I COULD HEAR A BUZZING IN THE SATELLITE RADIO, LIKE A SHORTING NOISE. FIRST I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT HAPPENED SO THEY COULD CHECK THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY ISSUE WAS THAT I DRIVE 40 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK AND IT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIP. WHEN I WENT BACK TO PICK UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND IT WAS ABOUT A $500 PART. I DECIDED I COULD DEAL WITH THE SITUATION AND HAVE HELD OFF ON GETTING IT REPAIRED. LAST WEEK I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO HOME FROM WORK AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY HIGH BEAM LIGHTS AT ALL. YOU CAN MAKE THEM WORK IF YOU HOLD THE LEVER BACK. *CN
Mileage: 74,000
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Mileage: 73,815
I OWN AN 05 IMPALA WE HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHT FAIL ON US ABOUT 6-12 TIMES WE WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT I HAVE TRIED RUNNING WITH THE SWITCH ON AND THEY STILL GO OUT ITS HAS EVEN HAPPENED TO ME ON A CURVE I JUST ABOUT PUT THE CAR IN THE DITCH IVE ASKED MY DAD WITCH IS A GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC ABOUT IT AND THERE'S NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HE KNOWS OF I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED BEFORE I DO GO IN THE DITCH AND MY FAMILY IS WITH OR I GET A CALL FROM THE COPS THAT MY WIFE HAS SMASHED THE CAR THERE IS A PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE IS KILLED FROM IT. *JB
Mileage: 55,000
ELECTRICAL-HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY IMPALA AFTER DARK THE HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. WAS DRIVING 55MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR. PULLED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES AND THEY CAME BACK ON. ABOUT ONE MILE LATER THE BOTH WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN SECONDS LATER THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,595.*AK
Mileage: 40,595
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. I USUALLY CAN GET THEM BACK ON. IT IS SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED IN RAIN STORMS AT NIGHT AND THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE ALSO HAD A WHEEL HUB THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WHEN MY CAR WAS ONLY 1.5 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS AND I CAN'T FIND ONE. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE NEW PART ON A FAIRLY NEW CAR. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY TRUNK. *JB
Mileage: 55,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER COLLECTED IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TAIL LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Mileage: 66,000
WATER IN BACKUP LIGHTS GM REPAIRED 2 TIMES BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR AGAIN SAYS IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
Mileage: 6,572
DT: THE CONTACT DOES NOT LIKE THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CONTACT IS STILL NOT SATISFIED. HE SAYS HE CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY SHINE ABOUT FORTY FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR.*AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB