Chevrolet is by far the most irresponsible vehicle manufacturer! There are endless reports all over the Internet that number in the thousands, of passlock problems. Hundreds of us have been stranded at the most inconvenient times when our vehicles randomly won't start. Equal numbers have complained, and so it is extremely clear that Chevrolet has made the same repeated errors during production. Instead, of doing the most honorable gesture that speaks of the company's integrity, they absolutely refuse to do a recall!? Instead, they leave Impala owners floundering with up to $500.00 in passlock repair bills.

Hopefully, their sales will flounder equally when owners decide that Chevrolet is not the type of company that can be trusted. Like thousands of others, I'll never buy Chevrolet again as they entirely lost my trust. Wish everyone wrote Chevrolet with complaints instead of net posting. Maybe they would finally take ownership?

When the security light comes on, I know it's not going to start. When you see all the people having the same problem that should be a red flag that it should be a recall. Also my headlights won't come on, the daylight running lights not working, hit my remote one day, notice only parking light came on. So I don't have lights, have to use bright lights to drive. Notice it was a recall on certain years, that's crazy.

I have had nothing but problems from day one: first it was trac light, back and forth to the dealer for six months straight before they finally got it right. Had the car almost three years, can't even enjoy it. Will never buy a Chevy again.

At time the car will not start. All electrical systems work. When trying to crank engine, all lights go dim. I sat and wait from anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, occasionally trying to start it, then the car will start like nothing is wrong. At times the security light will come on and then I know I'm going to have an episode. At other times, it won't start without any warning.

Update from May 31, 2016: Frequently car wouldn't start. Took to dealer, he wanted $500. to replace ignition & wasn't sure if that would help.

Later, GM sent recall on ignition - took to dealer, he kept car overnight, and he said he completed the replacement, but problem continued. I finally took to a locksmith & he replaced for under $200. Also gave me ignition he removed - it was still the original. Chevy dealer had ripped me and GM off. No more problems with starting now. Thanks a lot O-bryan. Suggest if you have a starting problem, take to an independent locksmith - stay away from dealers. It was the second and last time this same louse dealer will do business with me. If the security system doesn't work - only two components involved: either the key or ignition is at fault.

MY 2005 Chevy Impala, has had soo many problems...this is the most recent problem...I was driving and all my gauges died..but the car was still running. Battery light, Security light, and low fuel light were flashing..I pulled over turned off the car, and started it back up, gauges all still stuck on 0..and lights still flashing..I unplugged the battery to reset ..and when i hooked it back up...the car will NOT START ..when i turn the key over makes no noise or nothing!!..soo mad.. Tryed to jump it too...Less than i year ago i put in a new started, alternator, & battery....I have no clue what is going on...Im really annoyed

My 05 Chevy Impala will not start and what I have found is the Passlock Security System has failed. The Security light starts flashing which tells me I'm not starting this time. What has worked for me is to turn the key on and sit and wait and when the security light stops flashing and goes solid the car will start. I have got in the car, turned the key on and removed the key, went back in 10 - 15 minutes and it started. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this problem. Chevrolet you need to address this problem and fix this quickly through a RECALL.

Second bout with this no-start condition in two years. Had the switch changed about two years ago but now the Impala is doing the same thing - turn the key and nothing. Lites come on, etc. though. This has happened 4 times in the past 5 weeks. Car is not reliable - works one day but then not the next. Watch out people - you may have a second episode of this car being unreliable. Am totally aggravated that I am having to experience this problem again while owning this car.

Update from Apr 23, 2011: Replaced the starter and thought the problem was fixed. Now two weeks after installing the starter, Impala has again not started - this time I was 50 miles from home.

ok mr.s if your car as the passlock system getting you mad .... i found an easy solution that cost nothing but 2h of your time... every week i had this f*** ing light in the dash ( security light) and the car would,nt start i had to wait 10 min. and restart the car every time.... so if you have the same problem well i enjoy you to try this first because the last time i had this trouble was last year....

get the front dash cover off... to get the ignition switch out you may access the ignition from under the dash .... you just have to disconnect the 2 connectors black and white one and check the pins in the ignition switch, they must be clean gold if not there,s your problem. i took a nail brushing thing to clan it and put all in place again... everything went good since.... the thing whit this is that the corrosion on the pin give a faulty resistence reading to bcm module that block the car system as security ...

What's the deal with this GM passlock issue? My kid has an 2005 Imp and has the same no-start condition. All the lites come on, remote locks work but turn the key and nada. Tried all the quick fixes (jiggling the key, disconnect the negitive batt cable, wait 10-20 min, etc.) but it's still sitting at her job collecting dust and costing her $$. What's the deal? Does anyone have a viable solution besides tossing cash at the BCM or Ignitoin switch?

Pops

Update from Jul 18, 2010: Well the car is fixed. After all the trouble shooting and changing the starter (weak solenoid) it turned out to be the ignition switch. Remove the switch from the dash (it will have to hang down under the dash because of the cable to the neutral/safety switch). Follow the steps in tips #1 and #2 first. Next, take the 2 big connectors off and look at the connector pins on the switch. You will see excessive wear marks on the pins where the red wires go, which is causing the no start condition. Take a piece of fine grit sand paper (400-600 grit) and clean them up. Then put dialectric grease (like you use on sparkplug boots) in all the female connector pin holes, wipe off the excess, plug the connectors back in. Leave the switch hanging and start the car to verify the fix worked. Reinstall switch.

Tips:

1. The little plastic tab sticking out has no use so take some pliers and snap it off, trim jagged edges to prevent cuts. This will make reinstalling the switch much easier.

2. The 3 little wires that go into the key cylinder area are for the passlock system. You CAN NOT remove them by pressing the tabs because you have to pull the key cylinder out first (insert and turn the key, press the brass lock tab in and pull the whole assembly out). Check the electronic component attached to it and apply some dialectric grease on the female connector here too. Reassemble in reverse order.

Pops

As anoying as this problem has been for everyone that has pass lock issues, there may be multiple issues, but after dealing with mine for three years and living with it, and this week the damn pass lock triggers on a daily basis, I was minutes from either selling the car or getting the fix for $500 until I thought of one more attempt to try without messing with bypass switches or wiring... cost was $2. since my problem was very intermittent, and this is electrical, took the easy route with a "cleaning" - cost $2

1) Use solvent based cleaner that will clean electrical components and also disolve grime - I used Screwloose® Super Penetrant.

2) Spray a few quick bursts into the key hole and let sit overnight. Caution - do not start your car - this is untested if it may short your ignition...

3) Use a pipe cleaner to remove excess/dirty solvent the next morning. The dirty solvent was extremely black - my car is 5 years old. The car started right up and have not had the pass lock issue today yet - had it 4 times yesterday before I did the cleaning.

I am not a mechanic, this is untested and may void a warrenty. If you are at your witts end and thinking about doing the $500 fix, you may want to try this. My theory is that due to the intermittent nature, and how the pass lock works via voltage reading, there must have been a bad connection. I cleaned my key as well. I guess after spraying Armor All and other cleaning products on the dash for the last 5 years, some may get into the key hole - or other grime from key wear or lint, etc... from putting the keys in my pockets. Hope this common sense approach is on target instead not knowing if the ignition cylinder replacement/more expense is really necessary.

I bought this 2005 chevy impala for my wife to commute & today was the 7th time that it wont start. Twice at work, at the market and at home. This is a bad deal for chevy, like I told my father in law, that's why I only buy foreign cars. This is a crappy deal we are getting from our trusted american car manufacturing. Shame on those buttholes. I will not ever buy a chevy vehicle again. They got got my money once ,thats all they are getting. The car can't be trusted at all - you never know when its going to start and when will you be sitting there for an hour to getting going. Its time we did something. I've been reading about this problem being in 2000 models and I have a 2005 Model and am still having the same problem. By now those worthless people at chevy should have figured out what the problem is. But why do that - lets make money by bleeding the american people who buy our cars with expensive repairs , that no one will really know what to fix. Bleed them with $300 repairs at a time.. Shame on you Chevy,Shame on you.