2001 Chevrolet Impala: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Steering · 37,000 miles · SC

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.

Filed Oct 25, 2007 · Steering · MI

Clunking noise when turning - dealer indicated cause was from intermediate shaft, but told not a safety issue.

Filed Aug 15, 2006 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · MA

Power train failure: first sign of problem was harsh shifting, had the transmission fluid and filter changed, still had same problem. Before I found the service bulletins on this problem the planetary gears got chewed up by a broken piece of metal, had to rebuild the transmission $1800. Filed complaint with gm, since I did not have it repaired at a dealer (for twice the price) they would not help. Now I have a 2001 monte carlo showing the same harsh shifting. The transmission has be flushed by the dealer and they put an additive into the transmission fluid to help the sticky value problem, did not work. There is a pattern here and gm will not stand behind their product.

Filed Apr 13, 2006 · Steering · 10,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Steering · OR

Steering column has had clunking noise that can be heard and felt while driving. Has been brought up on different service visits.

Filed Nov 9, 2005 · Steering · IL

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2005 · Steering · IA

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?

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Steering · 60,754 miles · OH

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.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Steering · 18,000 miles · DE

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

Filed Mar 7, 2004 · Steering · 43,594 miles · CA

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!

Filed Mar 7, 2004 · Transmission · 22,773 miles · CA

Car rolls backward while in drive on incline. Dealer claimed that it is normal. Seems to me that it is a safety problem. Also when shifting from reverse to drive the trans will shift but when I accelerate the trans slams into gear. I have not been able to take car in to dealer as this does not happen every day. After reading other complaints about the transmissions it seems that there is a real safety issue.

Filed Mar 2, 2004 · Transmission · 50,800 miles · TX

I currently own a 2001 chevrolet impala ls, 3.8l v6. Before 36,000 miles I took my car to the dealership. The vehicle was running poorly and when it was cold the transmission would slam into gear. Dealer made some repairs and told me the fuel system needed to be serviced. I declined the fuel service at the time and the transmission slamming into gear from a cold start continued. The problem worsened at 47,000 miles. I took the car back to the dealer and after 2 days I was told that the problem was the fuel system service. At 50,000 miles the transmission began slipping severely. I tried to get the car home and it failed to engage while pulling into traffic. I got the car home to perform the 50,000 mile service to the transmission and found a handful of metal in the pan. Had the car towed to the dealership and found out that the transmission was completely totalled. Gm only offered to pay for half the repair costs. There is no recommended service before 50,000 miles and I don't feel I should be responsible for the repairs on this vehicle. I have owned it less than 3 years.