7.8
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$575.00
Average Mileage:
79,113 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (17 reports)
- buy a Toyota or Honda (4 reports)
- reset fob twice. it worked this time (2 reports)
electrical problem
Helpful Websites About 2004 Chevrolet Impala wont start, security light comes on
2009Sep 14
Impala
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
Having same problem as everyone else. Security light blinking, car wont start for 10 min Called chevy no solution. RECALL and FIX. SAFETY ISSUE. ATTENTION CHEVY Your car is not SAFE!!!
2009Sep 10
Impala V6
- Automatic transmission
- 153,000 miles
My Impala started having problems starting 3 years ago. Leaving work one night, it would not start. Then after I called one of my co-workers who had already jumped on the toll way to come a get me, by the time he arrived, the car started. I also checked the battery cables, and every thing else. The problem would, pop up every so often, the about once a week. Now it's happening 2 times in one day. Usually I would keep turning the key, go under the hood with the screwdriver the after 20 to 30 tries, it would just start like nothing happened.
Now in the last couple of weeks, I discovered that if I wait 10 minutes, with out doing nothing, the car will start. I don't have the money to fix it, so guess I am lucky that I like to read, and always keep a good book with me.
If someone finds a lawyer to look into this, please include me!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jul 25
Impala LX
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
Of course, you all know how this story goes. I go out at 4 a.m. to go to work(already behind schedule), flip the ignition-NOTHING!!! Lights, dash, radio-all o.k. Still try for a jump start,nada!
Had no idea about this passkey, security thing until late this morning. After popping the car into neutral and rolling it, it started. I shut it off,tried to turn it on again-nothing. Looked up this site and saw what a monster of a problem it is-played with the fob a couple of times and voila.
Shame on you GM for making such a substandard product-it makes sense that you are in financial trouble.
2009May 14
Impala ES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
I suspect from all the complaints the problem is either at the ignition key harness connector or at the BCM connector I plan on investigating further and isolating the problem I will post my results
2009Apr 14
Impala V6
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
It began with my security light intermittently coming on. Then, unpredictably, my car wouldn't start. It isn't the battery because all the lights and radio come on and work fine. The engine just won't start...nothing happens. After waiting an extended period of time, or taking my frustrations out on the car and ignition, it will finally start. Since it's such an intermittent issue, the mechanic has yet to see it happen. However, I've been stranded six times in the last three weeks because of this. After reading the other complaints on here, I too am convinced that it's the Passlock system. I've gotten in touch with several GM dealerships, and I've been told that both a sensor and a lock cylinder need to be replaced to solve the issue, which would cost approximately $500 plus labor. This is honestly one of the most inconvenient and difficult issues I've had with a car to date.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 15
Impala LS
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
As I was getting off work at 11 pm, I went to my car and tried to start it but it wouldn't crank. My security light flashed while my lights, radio and dash was lit. Me being a beautiful female out late at night, I was afraid. I had no idea about the passlock system. I had to pay someone to pick me up. I came straight home to check the net to see what the problem was. At first I thought it was the starter but I began to read the comments on AutoBeef. Now I know that GM sucks and I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars to get this mistake of theirs fixed. This should have been a recall situation but instead they make it a scam, and get paid off. I hope this does not become a frequent problem for me and my car. I will be forced to trade it in.
2005Aug 01
Impala LX 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
HORRIBLE, ANNOYING, GM SHOULD FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2009Mar 18
Impala LS 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 68,898 miles
Chevy needs to do a recall and take care of the passlock problem. The outcome of this will determine if I ever by a Chevy again.
2009Feb 26
Impala LS 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 66,588 miles
Like many others, the security light comes on while driving. When you shut the engine off, it will not re-start. After 40 or 50 tries it starts. After reading other complaints, it sounds like it is the pass-lock sensor which is very expensive to fix. I suggest that if anyone has the same problem, call Chevy. The more calls they get, the better chance of a recall
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 04
Impala V6
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Like many others. Went to Wal-mart, came out, put the dog food in the trunk, got in and tried to start the car. Did not even try to turn over. Security light blinking in the message center. I tried going into settings. Hit the lock/unlock button on the remote several times. Got out open and shut the trunk.
Finally called a friend after about 15 minutes. Pretty funny cause while I was on the phone the damn thing started. Of course, he claimed credit for fixing it over the phone. I told him thanks and "you da man".
Anyway...had more stops to make but it started every time and I made it home. My friend suggested that it was a ground problem. Going to baking-soda and water the battery terminals and trace the ground wire to the block as best I can (see if there are any exposed wires or loose connections). See what that does.
It has been a good car but after reading all the comments...I guess we'll see.
2008Dec 11
Impala LX 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
So I just spent a couple hundred bucks getting a new water pump since the lousy Dexcool ate though it. (Luckily it wasn't the manifold gasket) Now tonight I go out to start the car and it doesn't. Like everyone else, everything comes on with no sound from the engine. The security light has been on and off for a couple times over the last few months but I have had no problems. It left me stranded at work an hour from home in a freezing parking lot. This is definitely going to be my last GM car!!
2008Jul 16
Impala
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
My car won't start - after waiting 15 or 20 minutes and playing with the key and banging the hood, it starts again - it has done this at least 4 times since early July, 08. I've put in an ignition control switch and a body control module - big $$$ not to get the problem fixed...
2008Nov 19
Impala 3.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
This is becoming a real problem if gm knows about the problem they should fix it!!!!!!!
warranty or not. or tell the car owner about all computer details before you purchase
a car that my or my not start after 68000 miles this is Bull S.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Oct 31
Impala
- Automatic transmission
- 33,000 miles
WOW!!!! I have been having problems with my Impala for a few months now. The security lock would come on and the next day it wouldn't start. All the power comes on; lights, radio, but not a sound from the engine. After about 20 to 30 minutes of messing with it, it will finally start. Today of all days- being a workday, Halloween, and my son's bday- it does this.I decided to do a web search and found this site. I had NO IDEA how common this problem is! One thing is for sure, i'm not taking into the dealership since they can't make this problem stop and I won't pay $700 to $900 to have the same thing continue. If anyone has figured out how to disable the lock PLEASE let me and the rest of us know because I love my car but just for this reason I'm ready to trade it in!
2008Jun 02
Impala LS 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 74,658 miles
looking for the solution of how to tell my mechanic how to over ride the passlock and keep long enough to payoff and trade before the intake gaskets go next.
2008May 28
Impala LS 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 104,000 miles
I woke up one morning to go to work, pulled the car half way out into the street. I turned the car off to lock my garage went back to start the car and the key not would turn in the ignition. After blocking the street for 3 hours because key would not turn so I could not put the car in Neutral to push out of the street a friend brought buy rolling jack and moved the car out of the street. After a few cuss words and a few new dents calmed down and found the problem which was the ignition went out and bought a new one which cost $385.34 put the new part on, it was easy im an Electrician the car would not start and the stupid security light kept flashing like the car was laughing at me. The Passlock system is malfunctioning. Its funny a system thats supposed to stop people from stealing your car is stopping owners from driving their car. (Spell-Check)
2008Mar 01
Impala
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
My first bought American car - I'll never buy another. This Impala issue is for the birds.
2008Apr 05
Impala LT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
The same or similar problem. Security light came on several days ago. Ran fine until yesterday. Got in, turned key and starter doesn't engage. Radio is blaring (my wife never turns the volume down), dash lights are on, AC is running, so battery is OK. No security light either, just the check engine light. I try again, same result. Try again, same. Poop. My wife calls the car a POS (which served us well for four years), and expresses her preference for a BMW! Poop again. Time for beer.......I'll deal with this tomorrow.
Same thing in the AM today, no starty. Off to the computer (an Apple which always starts) to search the net for solutions. Voila, AutoBeef! Seeing several possible ways to get it started, I elect to try the open door trick first with no luck. I then decide to leave the key in for ten minutes with the door closed. I return, turn the ignition on, put the car in neutral, and turn the key to start. Bingo, fires right up. Looks like I can drive instead of tow it to the BMW dealer......too bad dealers aren't open on Sundays in PA, I'd be there right now. Thanks for the tips!
2008Feb 06
Impala LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,451 miles
This stupid security system is causing me major problems! This morning I was an hour late for work cause of it! On top of that my chief didn't completely believe me.I love my Impala but GM needs to fix this!!
2007Dec 02
Impala 3.4L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,007 miles
dealership had car for 2 days, told me I had to pick it back up and turn in
loaner, stated the computer did not read the problem and they could not
recreate the problem. Picked car up on 11-30-07 and broke down on
12-2-07. I am tired of the service dept telling me they cant find problem
and I am tired of being stranded, for a female this is not acceptable.
2007Jul 04
Impala C41099
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I am pissed off my car is not even paid off yet and I have replaced my ignition 2 times now come to find out it was the passlock that my vehicle is equipped with. So my car thinks I am stealing it and will not let me start my car. I can not pay anymore to have it fixed so if anyone knows what I can do that would be great. I thought maybe the problem was the aftermarket CD and speaker I put in my car. SO my boyfriend is trying that to see if that fixes the problem.
2007Nov 25
Impala 3.4L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
This has happened several times since purchased on 5/19/07 and can not find solution with dealership to the problem. I am tired of being stranded for 1-3 hours each time the car wont start.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Feb 24
Impala LS
This is not the first time this has happened to me this is at least like the 12th or 15th time. The problem comes and goes and is very annoying. Car will start one day run fine then all of the sudden out of the blue will decide not to start but let it sit 20 minutes or so and try again to start it and it will start right up. Also have problems with it while driving the security light radomly comes up on the dash board. Seems to have something to do with the security system.
I am very tired of this and decided after tonight to put it in the shop. I am waiting to see how much $$$ this is going to cost. I think we were better off before cars came with all the electronic control and computer functions.
Angie C.
Louisville, KY, USA
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