This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I parked on an incline, a driveway at a residence and when I was leaving and trying to start the car the ignition wouldn't engage until I lifted the key and centered it. This has happened several more times when I park on any kind of a incline. Don't know if it's related to the recalls going on. I just thought you out to be aware. I contacted my dealer and they said I had to wait for a recall to bring it in for no charge.
I was driving in the rain on my way to work on a highway. With out warning my steering locks up, my battery light and engine lights turn on. Along with this my cars temp goes through the roof. This is happening at 65 mph its 3 am I can no longer see or control my vehicle. Thanks to my skilled driving I was able to pull the car over. I can't figure out what is wrong with my car I've had a professional look at it he doesn't know what do over than replace parts and do trial and error. Im lucky to be alive every time I drive in the rain but its not me that I'm worried about. I don't want anybody to get hurt or killed due to my steering locking up.
Car started making clunking noise when turning steering wheel to the left. Noise was subtle and infrequent at first. It has gradually increased in noise level and frequency. I can also feel the clunking in the steering wheel.
It was raining and lost power steering at speed. This has continued each time it has rained or going through a car wash. Very dangerous because the car will not turn. This type of incident has occurred more than 50 times and the dealership only laughed at me when I called. Is Chevy waiting till my family is killed before noticing this issue like with the other recent recalls.
Whenever it is raining or I drive through a puddle of water on the ground, the steering wheel locks up for about 10-15 seconds and the car seems to lose power. For this reason I dread driving my car when it rains. Is this being recalled"??"
- Grovertown, IN, USA
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While driving message reduced engine power is displayed along with throttle disabled message, engine shuts off, making vehicle difficult to steer. Left my wife stranded in middle of road. Car restarts after approx. 15 min and displays orange engine light. Took to webbs texaco in lakeland, fl and they say it has a bad ECM. Previously shut off at 70 mph on interstate.
After going through a puddle on rainy days I loose power steering control for about 10 to 30 seconds. Had serpentine belt replaced and tensioner adjusted. Power steering level is good.
Ignition failure and associated power loss occurred while driving on a crowded expressway after hitting a bump in the left lane. A very heavy key chain was in the ignition at the time. With no signals, flashers, or power steering, using only rapidly fading inertia for power, I had to make my way over to the right lane and on to the shoulder through thick, unyielding 70 mph traffic. Terrifying; collision narrowly missed.
Every time I would drive the 08 Chevy Impala the key would not turn all the way out. It did that for about a week. Then when I made it to work it did the same thing. Came out to go home it would not start at all the key wouldn't turn over. So we had to put it in manual mode to drive it to a shop. A wire in the handle to change gears broke because I was told the wire was to short. Now this was 42 or 43 thousand miles now at 82 its doing the same thing again. Why no recall?
Slowing for red light, went through a small puddle on right side of the road. Steering wheel locks up. Thankfully I was stopping and not needing to turn. It only lasts for 10-20 seconds, but is frightening for the loss of control. I'm afraid to get on the freeway when it's wet, because I don't know if it's the depth of water or just getting the tires wet period. I've checked with the dealer where I bought the car, but there are no recalls for this model year. It has happened several times since, but since I know of the problem I try to avoid all puddles and freeway if it's raining. I've read other sites that this has happened often with other 2008 Impala, same conditions(most dealers unable to fix problem - seems to keep happening). Would be great if GM would come forward to fix the problem or recall the vehicle all together.
Recently, the car looses power steering when it rains, or I go through a puddle. I took it to the Chevrolet dealer (best Chevrolet) where I bought it new some years ago. They had no idea what caused it, said they never heard of such a thing. They changed the serpentine belt and tensioner, and it still does it. The power steering goes out for about 10 seconds, and in deep water I also get a dummy light about the electrical system. It's scary to drive; but, I don't want to just sell it cause someone else an injury.
I was driving about 35 mph the entire car system shut off, no warning lights came, I rolled into a dirt parking lot, and turned the key off, sat there for a little while then continue to work, had to take alternate route, didn't know when or if it would happen again. It did happen again later that afternoon, while autozone tech was checking my battery. It was frightening, thank god!! traffic was light.I live where a lot of big rigs come and go, I mostly drive freeways, but that day I had to change my route.
I have owned my 2008 Chevy Impala since June 2011 after two winters and heading into a third I have noticed that this car can not be controlled in any snowy condition. I have had the same problem every winter since I have owned the car, when driving the car is all over the road and nearly impossible to keep under control. Other cars pass by me and stare at me as if something is wrong with me but it is the car, I can barely go 25 mph while other cars are doing 40mph+ with no problem. I have brought the car into the dealership multiple times and they have no solution to my problem, I have also had the notorious tire wear on the inside only problem too. Even after brand new tires and alignment the car have zero improvement when it comes to handling in the snow. When trying to go anything faster than 25 mph it seems like the traction control light wont stop blinking as if the car cant grab on to anything and is drifting around freely. This is really a problem and can be life threatening if their is no solution offered, I do not feel comfortable nor safe while driving it and that is an issue when you live in Chicago. If any one knows a fix to this problem I would greatly appreciate it or I guess I will just have to borrow someone else's car when it snows and I have to be somewhere.
Whenever it is raining or I drive through a puddle of water on the ground, the steering wheel locks up for about 10-15 seconds and the car seems to lose power. I've concluded that this must be some sort of serpentine belt issue as a lot of components are affected at once such as alternator, power steering etc. This is extremely dangerous in my opinion as onset is unpredictable especially in hazardous conditions such as raining and for this reason I dread driving my car when it rains. Please someone acknowledge this as a legitimate concern!!!
Driving through a water puddle I lost my power steering, happens everytime I hit water, it has also locked up on me a couple times. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
When applying brake steering wheel clunks. Also when turning steering wheel you feel a clunk. Intermediate shaft is issue have had car looked at and problem has been verified.
This situation happens frequently with this car when it rains and the ground is wet. My steering wheel locks when driving my car in the rainy weather. It appears that when something underneath the car gets wet the steering wheel locks. I've taken it to the dealer for this problem and they can't find anything wrong with it. The belt was replaced and the problem persist. I'm afraid to drive the car, especially, when it rains. I'm afraid the steering wheel will start locking when driving in dry weather too!
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred seven other times at various speeds and always when the ground was wet. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 47,000.
My wife and I purchased the Chevy Impala to be our first vehicle together after getting married. Bought this vehicle brand new only 102 miles on it before we drove it off the lot. Little did we know it was going to be 4 years of nightmares and headaches. At the time read many review about the Impala, nothing too major was found. After the first week, the power steering seemed to be failing, especially during rain. Took it back to the dealer and they could not replicate the incident. They told us they could not find anything wrong and to bring it back if the problem continued. It didn't take long and we were back at the dealer with the same problem. Dealer said they checked the belts and the fluid all working properly. After a few other times of the power steering failing took the vehicle to another dealer and they too could not find anything wrong with the ps. So, after several trips back to dealer we decided to just deal with it. Which brings me to my next complaint about the 2008 Impala, at just over 10,000 noted abnormal wear on tires, and wires peeking through on the inside. Took it in to dealer and they accused us of abusive driving behavior and neglect, which was a new on to me. Anyway, they refused to replace the tires sitting the warranty only covers defects and normal driving conditions. So, by this time we are starting to regret the purchase of this vehicle. We had to replace all 4 tires @ $98 each. About year later at 28,000 miles began to have this problem once again. After many hours of debates and phone calls they agree to "check out our problem" with no cost to us. Low and behold wouldn't you know it, they found nothing wrong with the vehicle and advised us to purchase better brand tires. The last time I looked Michelin was a top brand tire. On top of everything else, main seal in motor began to leak. This was the last straw!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA