1) there's a known problem with the intermediate steering shaft on most w,j, and g platform general motors vehicles. In as little as 15-20k miles, the steering will get sloppy and will "klunk" on low speed steering maneuvers, and will also "klunk" on acceleration and braking. ) in some cases, the steering shaft will bind up or break, resulting in steering failure. There are documented cases of this happening in police equipped impala vehicles. 3) in my case, the dealership "lubed" the steering shaft. Rather than replace the faulty part, gm advices to inject a syringe of grease into the yoke of the shaft, and place the part back into the vehicle. 10-15k miles later, the problem returns. I've twice had my steering shaft lubed for this problem. Gm has just recently developed a redesigned part, but availability is severely limited, and the cost of replacement is placed on the vehicle owner if outside the warranty period (3year/36000 miles.
2001 Chevrolet Impala steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
A clanking/growling noise was heatd while driving and making turns. Vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. Consumer had a concern that the vehicle had less then 41,000 miles of wear. *nm the battery was replaced.
The consumer was having a problem with the steering. The consumer contacted the dealer and was told that the manufacturer was aware of the steering problem but was not doing anything about it. Provide further details. *jb the steering shaft was taken out an greased. Tie rods went bad on the right side.
Clunking from front steering and through steering wheel. Gm has service bulletin id#1539408 (#04-02-35-004b (jul 27,2004)) that describes failure. Gm has refused replacement or repair under warranty.
Car was purchased used in 2002 with 33000 on it. One month later, a popping/clicking sound began in the steering wheel column, and the steering wheel did not move smoothly when in turning motions. Taken to dealership, told the intermediate steering shaft needed lubrication. Replacement not recommended. Warranty covered. Two years later, problem came back, albeit far more severe this time. Immediately took to dealership and was told the intermediate steering shaft was coming apart and needed immediate replacement. Warranty had expired and chevrolet would not cover. Went ahead with repair anyway because was extremely scared by the problem! Have submitted formal complaint to chevrolet of this problem and found many other complaints of the same problem. Am hoping chevrolet will correct this design flaw.
A popping can be heard and felt in the steering wheel when turning to the left or right, applying and releasing brakes, and when accelerating and decelerating the engine. Condition started at approximately 38,000 miles, vehicle now has 51,500 miles and condition has continued to worsen.
Want to add my complaint to the list of complaints about noisey, poorly lubricated steering coupling shaft, on my 2001 chevrolet impala. I have read the gm bullitten, but feel this is going to be a potential safey concern. Many owners will not pay to have this repair performed, and as the steering shaft wears from the lack of lube, it is very likely that the shafts will begin to bind, as all other rotating shafts with lack of lubrication, eventually do. This lubrication is not listed as a recommended maintenance. I, as well as many others, feel this concern should be corrected at no charge, either through a recall, or goodwill policy adjustment. Why would gm want to wait untill these shafts bind, or break, before doing something?
Power steering rack had to be replaced on vehicle.*mr the consumer feels the vehicle rack should not have failed since the vehicle only has 43000 miles on it.
Reference # 10086513 the dealer today offered to replace the steering column at no cost to me. I guess I should have given him more of a chance. I must have misunderstood his intentions. I am satisfied and am extremely happy with the dealer's attitude.
I have a 2001 chevrolet impala ls sedan with only 18k miles on it. It is now experiencing a 'clunking' in the steering. When I called the dealer yesterday, he said (1) it is a known problem, and (2) since I am 6 months out of warranty, repair would be at my cost! He said the problem was a minor one, some $200.00 to fix (with grease?) , not to worry about any danger, etc. Since I want the problem fixed, I made an appointment for same. Since yesterday, I have learned that this problem indeed is very serious, but that gm is ignoring it, and has not issued any recall(s) for the problem. I feel very strongly (1) that this is a dangerous situation since there are many cases of 'locked' steering resulting in crashes, (2) and that gm should fix this known problem under an 'implied warranty' scenarion. Otherwise, my impala might indeed crash hurting or kiilling us. I intend to demand that an gm area representative contact me soonest to tell me what to do and what gm will do for me. I have documented my situation and am going to turn it over to my lawyer for legal actions in case somethings bad develop from this documented defect. I don't know what else to do, since my dealer is treating this problem so lightly. Thank you john williams
While driving at any speed and turning either to the right or left the vehicle made a loud clanking noise, the dealer inspected the v several times the steering shaft. However, the problem recurred. *ak
My car made a whining noise while moving and makes a loud noise when the steering wheel is turned. I took it to a chevrolet dealer and they let me know my power steering rack needs replacing at 68,000 miles in february 2004. Needless to say this is not being recalled and this is something a lot of car repair centers are surprised this has failed on a 3 year old car. Chevrolet wants $1,000 to replace.
Steering makes clunk at low speed turns and makes a whining noise. Steering seems to slip on cornering at higher speeds. This is a safety problem! 2001 impala has been in to have the intermediate shaft lubricated 3 times now. First at 17,840 miles on 11/16/01, then at 22,773 miles on 2/26/02 and the third time at 43,594 on 2/3/04. Chevrolet needs to address this problem!
Knocking noise & jolt in steering wheel of 2001 chev. Impala at approximately 40,000 mi.. This problem continued and worsened. It was determined by an indepentent auto shop and the dealer that the problem was a defective rack. Dealer gave me information to contact customer assistance at gm, which I did. Gm refused to make any concession for the repairs due to the fact that warrenty had expired.
We own a 2001 chevrolet impala , VIN # [xxx], that was purchased new. We have been experiencing this clunk noise. The vehicle was taken in for repair, we were then advised it was the tires so we replaced the tires . This did not correct the issue. We took the vehicle back for repair and the left tie rod was replaced, this did not correct the issue. I have found that many other owners with this problem have been told it was their tires and also have had tie rods replaced. I searched the internet and found the subject tsb. I took the vehicle in for the repair called for in the tsb, lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft using lubrication kit # [xxx]. This repair lasted about 30 days. I have been advised that this is normal and since I have 38000 miles on my vehicle no coverage from chevrolet is available. *ak this defect has been known to chevrolet since before july of 2002 when the tsb was issued. I feel that it is a safety issue involving the steering and chevrolet should be responsible for correcting the issue at no cost to me.*ak updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2001 chevrolet impala has a recurring incident of clicking noises at right front steering when the vehicle is turned left or right. This is supplemental to the vehicle developing a uneven wear at the right front tire. When taken to the original dealership, I was told that rotating the tires would solve the problem. As the problem grew worse (including a badly shimmying front end at high speeds),I took the vehicle to another dealership to address the problem. The second dealership found that the vehicle had a cracked weld on it chasis and repaired it. When asked about the tires, the dealership said that I would have to purchase new ones at my own expense. A smooth ride with new tires was short lived, as a badly shimmying front end had developed again (within 24 hours). Taking the vehicle back to the second dealership, I was told the problem was a worn tie rod. Once the problem was fixed, I periodically heard light clicking noised from the steering when making turns (right & left). Taking the vehicle back to the second dealership, I was told it was just a matter of lubrication. Once lubricated, the vehicle stopped making clicking noises for about 30 t0 40 days. I noticed that the clicking noises began when the vehicle is driven over uneven areas of a road or parking lot, or when the vehicle negotiates tight left turns (low speeds) and wide/sweeping left curves at high speeds. Never the less, I do not believe that the problem concerns lubrication. Latest maintenance date as incident date 10/16/03 (complaint: f/e snapping when turning. Diagnosis: inadequate lubricants in the steering intermediate shaft. Correction: removed shaft - lubricated and re-installed part# [xxx]. The original dealership: rhodes chevrolet of swansboro, nc (now under new name and management). The dealership making repairs: marine chevrolet cadillac oldsmobile. Initial thumping/ uneven tire wear is within one month of vehicle purchase 01/18/01. Vin [xxx]. *la updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant t
Vehicle with 47000 miles failed safety inspection due to right hand tie rod end with excessive wear.
Intermediate steering shaft required replacement twice within the first 2 years of owning vehicle. Steering wheel rattle detected, feels like vibration in the front end while driving over bumps. Handling is not affected immediately, but potential loss of steering control if this breaks. Technician stated the grease dried out and would recur. This sounds like a potential recall, but chevrolet has not responded with one as of this date.
While driving a knocking noise was coming from the steering wheel. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic noticed that the steering shaft needed greasing.
The steering in my car is hard to steer and I dont like it it seems to stick ive drove chevys all my life and I do not like this car and the steering is the major cause
There was a clunking noise felt in the steering column, the dealer stated the steering shaft needed to be replaced. *ak *ts
Loose intermediate steering shaft transmits disturbing noises and vibrations to the driver via the steering wheel . Dealer will not repair.
Chronic coolant leak on 2001 impala ls. Dealer replaced manifold under warranty. Also in first 2 years, wheel bearing, intermediate steering shaft required replacement, as well as roof molding.
Why traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle just shut down , power steering and brakes also failed.
2001 chev impala pol;ice int. 9c1 officer swerved at intersection to avoid vehicle. Struck utility pole front bumper to the right of center. Over $3000 damage. Air bag did not deploy. 20-30mph
Steering system is defective...too hard to turn. This has caused the fingers and thumbs to become deformed (twisted and bent) from turning the stiff wheel. I also have a neck pain which leads to a pain shooting up the back side of my neck and causing a headache. These problems started after I purchased my 2001 impala.
While driving vehicle steering shaft makes noise when turning vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the steering. Also stated that when driving the vehicle it went from side to side. Dealer was contacted and has replaced the tires and stated that the tires were run out and that it also had problems with the aligment and that was done 4 to 5 times already and also has been at the shop at least 8 times. Ts
Bent and twisted fingers morse lee is an 80 year old gentlemen. His index and middle fingers are bent towards his baby fingers. His center joint of the middle fingers are off parallel to the other finger joints approximately 15 degrees. The last joint of the middle finger is off parallel the opposite to the middle joint. The index finger joints are off parallel also. These joints are displaying the typical bending and twisting found with impala drivers. He and his wife both share this problem. Submitted on the behalf of mr. And mrs. Lee by mike tomich 989‑665‑2311 dt
Tight/stiff steering has resulted in index and middle fingers becoming bent and twisted to conform to the contour of the steering wheel. This high effort damage to the fingers are irreversable. This has a crippling effect in that it cause the tendons to move off center to the fingers and reduces the griping efforts of the hands and restricts finger movement. This stiff steering results in shoulder pain which often forces people to seek medical attention because the pain radiated down their arm and they think they are having a heart attack and if visit the hospital for such. The shoulder pain has also resulted in an increase in physical therapy treatments. This information presented by my friend mike tomich 989, 665-2311 [email protected] dt
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