I have a 2000 impala with approximately 161,000 miles on it. The car is used and I am the 2nd owner. I went to have my normal oil change as I had noticed the low engine oil pressure light had come on. The car had been running out of oil frequently, but I didn't see any oil leaks. The print out after the oil change stated multiple oil leaks. But there was never any oil on the ground. The car had been running very rough and was staring to run warmer than usual. Not hot, but past the middle line on the temp gauge. And I had noticed a burning smell after driving, but never saw any smoke. This all started in april 2014 and has been ongoing. I've taken the car to a repair shop and nobody seems to know what's going on. Now july 5,2014 I went to turn left and the steering wheel was extremely hard to turn. I had to put a lot of muscle into turning the wheel. I checked the power steering fluid and saw it was low so I topped it off. Problem should have been fixed right? Wrong. It got worse. I took it to a different repair shop and was told it was the tensioner pulley. O'er $100 later, the problem has gotten worse. When I turn left the wheel stays stuck and I have to jerk it back straight. Thus is a safety hazard as I transport my family in this vehicle. Since these problems stared the car eats a lot of gas. Going 5 miles should not use almost a quarter tank of gas and the check engine light comes on and stays on at random times, during theses times the car eats a lot if gas. When the light is not on gas mileage is ok. This is very dangerous.
2000 Chevrolet Impala steering complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 124, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was pulling out of a parking lot and my vehicle suddenly shut off making me loose steering control and almost causing a bad accident. I managed to get the car to a stop and I restarted the ignition. I pulled off and sat in a lot for a few minutes. The next day I had the same problem while merging onto a main highway.
Loud noise from steering column whining noise heard throughout turning motion requires more effort from driver to steer vehicle on turns.
Vehicle shuts off while driving... Extremely dangerous to drive!! This has happened on multiple occasions.
My steering locks up when when turning mostly left but has done it while turning right also. Why is there not a recall for this safety issue?
I am having problems with the steering of my impala with low mileage. Several years ago I was notified of a recall involved in the impala's steering and a part was replaced and during that time dealer also changed out the rack and pinion. I barely got my vehicle home on thursday and could have been in a very bad accident if I had not driven cautiously for the few yards I had to go. I could barely turn my steering wheel and the vehicle sounded so awful. I was very close to my home, so I slowly went a few yards. My steering was gone but some how I got my car parked safely at my apartment and the tow company had to tow it later. My mechanic just told me that the rack and pinion have failed and they were just replaced a few years ago and should not have done so with the little mileage my vehicle has. The rack had caused all the fluid to leak out. How can that be if it was good manufacture parts that were put in the steering. I am very angry that the company will not stand by their impalas and that they continue to be allowed to have vehicles that are unsafe. Luckily I was almost home and did not get in an accident.
I w also as driving into a shopping plaza and my steering wheel locked and my car steered across the entrance after a couple of minutes it started back up.I am so nervous because the steering wheel locked,also every now and then it just wont start up and then all of a sudden it will. The gas gauge doesn't work either so you cant judge the gas never received any recall notices I have a 2000 chevy impala.
Intermediate steering shaft has been a problem with the vehicle since reaching 17,669 miles. I had it replaced under warranty the first time and have paid for it to be replaced after the 3 year warranty ran out. The shaft continues to make cracking noises when turning the vehicle. This seems to be a part defect since a lot of people online have written about the same issue. I have had the shaft replaced three times and it last about a year before it starts to make a cracking noise. The power window regulator is a defect in this vehicle but it has not been recalled. I have had the regulator replaced for all four windows and now I am starting to have to replace the regulators again for all four windows. The regulator replacement is expensive ($400+ for each window).
This has been an on going problem with the power steering unit in the 2000 impala, but this is the latest; on july 14 ,2010 I took the 2000 impala into the dealership because it was leaking fluid. Ask the service dept. Manager to fix it. He then diagnosed the car as oil sensor switch leakage. And he could not make repairs because they did not have the part, but the diagnose cost was $75.00 , so I paid and drove off with a leaking 2000 chevy impala . Later,I notice that the service manager wrote the service order up as the customer said the vehicle was leaking oil. Not true, I said fluid. The leak got worse. I replaced the oil sensor but the leakage did not stop. Therefore, I park the car for several months. One day I raised the hood, took a small flashlight and traced the leak to two sever lines. The hard rubber flap that is mounted to the car body to keep debris out of engine rubs against two frame mounted lines until it cut through both lines. Fluids leaks out and caused the power steering unit tofail. This is a design defect, should have been recalled for safety reason. Dealership wants $135.00 to look at the car again, I took pictures. Here is my partial complaint, can email pictures as well.
Tl*the contact owns 2000 chevy impala ls. While driving 35 MPH her steering wheel locked. The contact had to pull the steering wheel really hard and in order to gain control of it. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer. The dealer then inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle needed a power steering pump and that there was an internal leak in the power steering hose. The contact had to rent a vehicle for four days while the dealer fixed the problem. The contact stated that there wasn't any noise when the failure occurred. The contact did report this to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 67,255 and the current mileage is 67,355. Updated 03/30/10.
My 2000 impalas pass lock system stops the car from starting for up to 45 minutes at a time. I try to start the car and it wont turn over or do anything. It happens every time I try to start the car. It leaves my family stranded when we try to go places. What were to happen if there were an emergency? I'd be stranded. Also the steering clunks alot when I turn.
I am continuously having steering problems with my 2000 chevy impala. I had the rack and pinion replaced 11/07 when I lost control of my car and could not turn. I almost went of the road from this. I then had to have the steering lubed for some knocking noise and vibration. Here it is 2 years later and I am having the same problem again. Knocking noise and vibration in steering when I turn left. I only have 106,000 miles on this car. When is it you will hold the company liable for an issue they have known about all along? How many deaths will it take?
2000 impala . Less than 50,000 miles. Rack and pinion needs replacing. Checking with other owners appears this is a common problem. No help from dealership. Appears gmc continued to use a known defective unit for years. Will not fix under warranty.
My fingers developed curvatures and twisted knuckles. I developed lower back pain. Shoulder pain. Neck pain. Carpal tunnel. Sciatic pain. Required physical therapy because I could not lift my arm above shoulder height. The stiff "high effort" steering was resulting in my body generating forces to overcome the resistance of the steering system which were resulting in shock loads to my skeletal system joints and bones. Other drivers of the stiff steering chevrolet impala, saturn's, pontiac grand am, pick up trucks all experience the same deformities with hand/finger functional losses. *tr updated 05/27/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the front end of her vehicle vibrates severely. The tie rod ends, rack, transmission mounts, tires, intermediate shaft, and both axles have been replaced, but the vibration still persists. On march 6, 2009, the contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and paid $600 to have the vehicle repaired. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer informed her to take the vehicle to another dealer for diagnostic testing, which would cost $88. The failure mileage was 125,000.
The steering intermittently locks or is difficult to turn beyond a certain angle. It occurs most often when making a left turn. Working the wheel back and forth usually loosens. Several times I took it to mechanics, but they were unable to reproduce the problem.
Car went out of control after driver put the car into gear to move it from a parked, idling position, after noticing a burning like odor. It was noted by the driver at that time that the temperature gauge was in the red zone. When the driver attempted to move the car to a safer parking area only a few feet in distance, she heard a sharp snapping sound and also felt a vibration in the steering wheel/column area. The car suddenly lurched forward, the head lights and dash lighting went completely out as the car began accelerating out of control. In addition, there was no steering or brake control. No work has been done yet to correct these problems because an insurance company is involved.
On thursday 01 nov 07 and monday 05 nov 07 my wife was making a left turn off a busy highway where we live. When she tried to turn the steering wheel left it locked or wouldn't move placing her in a dangerous situation of possibly being hit by on-coming traffic. I confirmed the steering wheeling locking when turning left only when I got home by driving the car and having it lock on me one time in a parking lot. I have seen a web site called www.direct.ca/trinity/gm-steering-probem.htm which has recorded over 250 u. S. Complaints. It mentions police chevrolet impala steering can lock-up while driving at any speed and accidents have occurred. My power steering fluid is at correct level and car has higher mileage at around 148,000. We are putting a re-manufactured steering rack an pinion in this week to try and solve this problem as recommended by web letter.
Intermediate shaft sticks and makes clunking sounds while driving. Tsb suggested lubrication kit, that fix was not successful. Replaced shaft, new shaft has developed same problem. The design appears flawed and possibly dangerous to have a steering component binding. To my knowledge there is no permanent fix for this and a new intermediate shaft with the same design is not a permanent solution.
I am the original owner of a 2000 chevy impala with 85,000 miles. Intermediate steering shaft fails every 20-25,000 miles. It has been replaced three times already, and is failing again. Dealer admits it is a design flaw that affects all 2000-2005 design impala's. You know it is failing when you feel clunking and looseness in the steering at low speeds when cornering. I have talked with many other impala owners, and they have identical problems. Costs $250 every time this part must be replaced. This is a significant safety concern when a critical steering component repeatedly fails.
Dt*: the contact stated while pulling out of the driveway on normal road conditions at 5 MPH, the steering column locked and could not be pulled to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who were currently examining the vehicle. No repairs were made.
Dt*: the contact stated while turning at various speeds, the steering column made a grinding noise and the steering wheel shook. The dealership determined the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The consumer declined to have the steering shaft replaced. Updated 08/25/06.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle veered extremely to the right during right lane change. When vehicle was immediately pulled over, the front driver's side tire was observed to be loose and wobbly. The vehicle was inspected by a certified independent mechanic who determined that the powersteering rack weld broke from the frame and needed to be replaced. The dealer was alerted but refused to repair the defect under warrenty. The incident occurred at 50 MPH on the highway during dry road conditions.*ak 08/02/06 updated.
Ltr re defective steering systems in numerous automobiles especially the 2000 chevrolet impala causes carpal tunnel, hands and finger deformalties.
Ever since I bought my car I have had problems with my whole power steering and suspension system. I have spent over $2000 dollars over the past two years fixing parts that relate to anything from the wheel bearing, rack & pinion, ball joints and now looks like my power steering is ready to go out. Basically everything major on the front has failed. My warranty wouldn't cover because they said it's normal wear and tear. I feel it's a defect because it seems like the same things keep failing over and over. I really depend on my car to get to work and feel this is a matter that needs to be looked at a little more closer and taken seriously because from what I see, a lot of 2000 chevy impala owners have complained about the same thing. This leads me to believe that this is a problem that the dealers or the manufacturer should take care of and look a possible reimbursement for many customers that have had the same problems, thanks.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH while applying brake pressure the steering column made a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. They determined the steering column needed to be lubricated or replaced however no repairs were made. The manufacturer was not alerted.
1. Child climbed into front seat and pulled gear shift from park into neutral. 2. The gear shift lock malfunctioned or broke, and as a result the car rolled into the street and over the neighbor's mailbox. 3. Contacting the dealership to get it fixed.
Dt*: the contact stated when turning the steering wheel there was a clanking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealership in march 2004, where the rear stabilizer link and front lower control arm bushings were replaced and lubricant was applied to the steering shaft. After the repairs the noise did not completely cease, and the vehicle is currently at the dealership. The dealership has determined the steering shaft needs to be replaced. *ak updated 2/13/2006 -
Dt: the consumer stated while stopping at a red light a strange odor entered the vehicle followed by a loss of power steering. He managed to drive the vehicle to the dealer, where the dealer determined that vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The dealer replaced the power steering fluid hose at the consumer expense. *ak the consumer was told the serpentine needed to be replaced. There was damage to the suspension. Updated 01/11/06.
Dt: the contact heard a cracking sound coming from steering column. He has not taken the vehicle to a service dealer to be checked. The sound would be more evident if the wheel was turning. He has not contacted the manufacturer. The noise has been heard for the past couple of years.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2000 Chevrolet Impala?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history