The security light came on and car shut off while I was driving the car at approx 30 MPH. This happened several times since then while traveling at a higher rate of speed. Luckily I did not have an accident but, I am afraid to drive the car that an accident may happen. This is a very serious safety issue. I have researched the internet and came across many complaints the same as mine. How can it be that no recalls have been made on an issue so serious?
2001 Chevrolet Impala steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This car has had major problems with the cooling system and when the car heats up my brakes don't work rite it is very scary at times when I don't know if my brakes are going to stop me from going into traffic or not. I have replaced many parts and it has not been fixed. My car is on the recall for the ignition switch but I'm not sure is this is a safe vehicle to drive around anymore. And my question to u guys is y do these manufacturing company keep on getting to make unsafe cars and continue to be able to make money off the consumer. To me that is not fair. I have spent a lot of money to get my car repaired with no out come its still a p.o.s.
We were driving off h-820 n in fortworth texas..the car could not slow down nor could we control it. We ended up hitting the guard rail in one car accident and it was a total loss. Before that, same car was serviced by ignition problem by chevrolet dealer off 1-20 in arlington,tx..still I was experiencing same problem.
I was driving down the road on day and lost total control of my vehicle and hit a guide rail . I bounced off the guide rail and the car started spinning and another guy had hit me and I went head on into the guide rail . My airbags didn't deploy and I had minor injury (pain in neck and back, my glasses broke and ihit my head off the steering wheel) I'm pretty sure my care is totaled because the frame is bent and broke.
Air bag did not deploy causing strain of neck muscles, upper back injury, bilateral strain, contusion of multiple sites of my lower limbs bilateral. There have been several recalls on the impala but due to negligence of gmc I am in pain my car was totaled and I have to purchase a new car. I will need assistance in price, payments, extended maintenance warranty at your cost and delivery of new vehicle to address I provide no fee also include tag payments. I contacted your complaint department last night and was told that I will be compensated in this will be taken care of as chevrolet always takes care of their best customers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the temperature gauged indicated that the vehicle was overheating but the contact did not notice a coolant leak or any smoke. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic. The mechanic replaced a sensor. After the repair the check engine warning light illuminated and the temperature gauged still indicated that the vehicle overheating. The mechanic suggested the contact take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact also stated that the steering wheel made a strange sound when turned. In addition, the steering wheel would jerk abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the mechanic advised that there was an issue with the steering shaft. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Steering tie rods failing at an alarming rate. $1300 spent on replacing tie rods and other steering parts that could be a safety issue if the wheel or loss of steering occurs.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. Whenever the contact turned the vehicle in either direction, he heard a grinding and clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the steering shaft. Months prior to the failure, the steering became very loose. The current mileage was 28,000 and failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 07/14/09 *bf updated 07/16/09.
While I was driving to a store my car was driving just fine but, as I was turning a corner my steering wheel locked up on me. This almost caused me to hit a car that was at a stop sign. I haven't had any problems with this until now.. It just happened unexpectedly. I checked the fluid and it was fine the car then drove off just fine.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. The vehicle has been in the repair shop approximately four times and they stated that the steering shaft and the frame in front of the wheels failed. The brakes are currently failing. The contact hears grinding metal when braking, driving over bumps, and when reversing. The dealer has yet to determine the cause of the brake failure. The noise has intensified. The failure mileage was 27,000 and current mileage was 57,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. Before purchasing the vehicle, the contact test drove the vehicle for two days and heard a noise. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer and the mechanic stated that there were no failures. She purchased the vehicle, but the noise persisted while driving 5 MPH. The vehicle was driven to a local repair shop five months later and they stated that the steering and wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified and the vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 28,000 and failure mileage was 19,600.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at a slow rate of speed he could feel bumping and clunking in the steering wheel. Took it back to where he purchased the vehicle and they inspected the vehicle but could not identify the any defects or failures. He took the vehicle to the chevrolet dealer and they informed him to take the vehicle to a service center for the repairs needed. They informed him to take the vehicle back to the dealer because there is a technical service bulletin regarding the problem he is experiencing. He took the vehicle back to the dealer after they inspected the vehicle they informed him that he needed the steering shaft replaced. The failure mileage was 37,000 and current mileage was 49,425. Update 09/18/08.
2001 chevy impala steering column has "klunk" sound.
Clunking noise when turning - dealer indicated cause was from intermediate shaft, but told not a safety issue.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. While driving 45-50 MPH, the steering wheel and the entire vehicle began to shake. The contact stated that the service traction system light and the ABS light remain illuminated. The current mileage was 100,929 and failure mileage was 65,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving any speed there was a banging noise in the steering column accompanied by a vibration. The banging and the vibration became gradually worse when the steering wheel was turned to either side. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who determined that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be repacked. The shaft was subsequently replaced, but the problem recurred. Updated 9/22/2006 - the fuel tank sending unit was replaced. The fuel injector unit was replaced intake gasket leaked.
2001 chevrolet impala. Power steering hard lines on passenger side near radiator have been partially severed by the attaching fender well cover plate. Car has 89k miles. Both hard lines will have to be replaced. It appears that over time, the cover plate rubbed into the hardlines and punctured the line resulting in complete reservoir drainage. Car very difficult to steer for my wife who was able to get home.
Dt*: the contact stated while turning the steering wheel to the left, it made a rough noise and felt as if it were dragging. The noise was more noticeable at 5-10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who disassembled the steering shaft and added grease. The problem has now returned after 40,000 miles and the dealer recommended adding the grease under regular scheduled maintenance. However, the unit is sealed and the contact does not understand why grease needed to be added a second time. The manufacturer was also alerted. Updated 6-27-2006 -
Dt*: the contact stated when the steering wheel is turned to either the left or right a loud popping noise is heard. The dealership determined the intermediate steering shaft joints were wore out. The dealership does not have a remedy for this problem.
I own a 2001 chevrolet impala with a steering problem. The dealer "repaired" the steering mechanism twice under warranty and now I have the same problem. The steering makes a loud clunking noise when turning, or going slow. After 3 times I have now concluded it is also causing problems with my brakes and tire wear. I get a steady vibration and the steering feels loose. I have replaced brakes, rotors and tires. Please check into this. I believe it is dangerous. It feels like I will lose control of my car. I noticed there have many complaints about this same clunking noise and would appreciate a recall from gm.
Steering column has had clunking noise that can be heard and felt while driving. Has been brought up on different service visits.
I took my 2001 impala to the gm dealer at 23k miles for a noise in the steering column, at that time they said they had to replace an intermediate steering shaft plus other issues non related. At 73k they removed the shaft and lubed it and replaced left outer tie rod for $510+. At 98k my front wheel hubs were replaced and they replaced the intermediate steering shaft again and charged me $125 for the shaft and another $975+ for the rest. When I took the car back two weeks later for yet another steering problem they said it was my rack and pinion this time and charged me $1083. That was today, tonight on my way home with my wife, the car did the same thing while turning right on an exit ramp. I called 1-800-gm and they said they could not do anything for me except offer me a gm loyalty cert good for some $ off a purchase of a new gm product. I have been faithful returning to the gm dealer each time with steering problems (and other issues not related) expecting a fix and over the almost 5 years and almost 100k miles and many dollars spent I have lost my faith in gm.
After a year of clunking sounds in the steering column, I've just taken the car in for service. I was told in the past that it was not a problem. Now the sounds all add up to $1500 in repairs, for a problem that I've found 4 other impala owners have. Needed for repair are steering gear, steering shaft, power steering pump, serpentine belt (old anyway), and all wheel alignment (recommended for this work). All totaling just under $1700. My aunt had a similar problem, it was repaired twice under warranty. Talking on break at work, found out our company car (impala) has the same issue, another employees impala has the same noise. This is a manufacturer problem that they will not recognize.
I own a 2001 impala and it has a clunking noise in the steering column, I had this fixed less than a year ago and the mechanic told me not to drive it that way because it was dangerous. Now it is back and I can't afford to keep having this fixed. I would really like to know how dangerous is this?
Dt: the consumer was driving when she heard a clanking noise and could feel it in the steering wheel. This happened most of the time, but not all the time. Some days the noise would not be apparent. Last week before it was worked on, the consumer could feel the vibration in the brake pedal. Consumer said that sound did not seem to follow any apparent cycle or seem to become more defined at any certain time. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for repairs, and was apparently fixed. Consumer was told that the problem was the steering intermediate shaft. The consumer said that this problem had been occurring for the last year. *ak *sc
While parking at very slow speed, very loud cracking noise from front of car while slightly turning steering wheel. Happening often. Have had front end inspected twice, no problem found with wheel bearings,or tie rods. Previous owner has had steering rack replaced, possibly due to same common problem- which may be poor lubrication of steering shaft as reported in www.impalahq.com/tsb01-02-32-001a.html
My 2001 chevrolet impala is jerking when applying the brakes, front end sounds like it is ready to fall apart,front end wobbles when driving,knocks when put into drive or reverse,transmission bogs when shifting brought to the dealership they drove it and decided a new steering shaft would solve all my problems, amd gm is also aware of this problem and used to repace shaft but that got too expensive so now they have a kit to lubricate the bearing. My car is under warranty, but this problem is not included . Steering is essential in a vehicle. I find this problem a safety issue for myself,passengers, and others on the road with me. I am filing this complaint for documentation. If ever there is an accident related to the steering issue of my car I want the courts to know that all were aware of this problem I was having and nobody wanted to fix a defect that they were aware of. I will be fixing it at my expense and when it is recalle I would like to be reimbursed.
Steering wheel seems very hard to turn ,and when turning a corner it pulls very hard. Dealer can't duplicate the problem.
While driving and turning left or right the driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Vehicle jerked and vibrated. Then, vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the tie rods were defective, and needed to be replaced.
I'm getting a "pop" and "klunk" in the front end. I was told by an independent service person that the rack and pinion was going bad. I have talked to my local gm dealer, and they have told me that they don't have a recall or service bulletin on it. My car has only 45k on it, hard to believe that something important as steering is going bad in less than 50,000 miles. I don't feel like I have to replace it at my expense, when it seems to be a factory defect.
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