2001 Chevrolet Impala: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 86,000 miles · NY

We've had numerous issues over the last few years including intermittent electrical issues, engine cutting out, engine lurching, and difficulty starting. Two particularly dangerous times were especially scary -- one time the engine cut out, without warning, while my son was driving in traffic, on a four lane road, with children in the car. The other time was when I was driving down a hill in a snow storm at night. The roads were slippery and I lost all power including the lights and power steering. We've spent at least $2000 for diagnostics/repairs for fuel system checks, electrical checks, new ignition, new ignition wires, new A/C compressor (A/C wouldn't cool), and one fuel injector replaced. For several months it didn't cut out but the engine would still lurch once in awhile. Four days ago my husband took it in for the key recall and the dealer said that the fuel injectors needed cleaning so we had it done. The car ran fantastic... Until today when out of the blue, while driving down the road at 30mph, the engine cut out after going over a bump in the road. We called the dealer and they said to keep a journal of when the issue happens again.

Filed Apr 13, 2014 · Airbags · 170,000 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

I was driving on the freeway in traffic and I switch lane to carpool lane. As I was picking up speed when I was rear ended from behind pushed down forward further and my car turned and slammed onto the center divider lane. After my car struck center divider lane same car who hit me has not slowed down and hit me again on high impact behind driver side passenger door and gas tank smashing onto my rear wheel. None of the air bags deployed in my car. I am 5'1 in height and weight about 133lb. We bounced around as well as my backseat passenger who is my daughter who was seating in a booster seat and we were both wearing seat-belts. When the car hit us sideways and jerked us around my head slammed by the door panel and busted my head open which caused it to bleed badly. Believe it was the initial impact from the rear my keys flew out of the ignition and on to the floor in the backseat floor firefighter had to search because I told them as soon as they showed up "my car is still running I don't know where the keys are at!" the ignition was still in on position as if the key was in it. My doors on driver side and behind driver side was smashed and my car shifted out of its alignment that even my daughter who was in the rear seat behind the front passenger side of my car her door could not be opened by the fire department. We were both removed from the front passenger side door and ambulance transported us to hospital. My daughter who is 10 years of age was shaken up sick to her stomach dizzy with minor bruises. I suffer bruises on top of my foot. Bruises on my thigh my legs bounced up and hit the stirring wheel. Bruises on both my arms and my daughters arms and elbow! We are both tender and soar all over the bodies but, praise god we are alive! By the way my car is totaled and its paid for. Pls give advice on this situation.

Filed Sep 14, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 70,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Apr 12, 2005 · Steering · 30,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Steering · TX

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.

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · GA

While driving transmission slipped gears and lurched forward. Dealer replaced the original transmission with a rebuilt transmission. The rebuilt transmission also slipped gears and lurched forward. *ak when vehicle was brought to the dealer on first failure of transmission, consumer noticed that the color of the fluid in the trans axle was different from the one in the bottle. Consumer decided to replace the transaxle and fluid after vehicle was driven for a number of miles because the fluid color gets darker. After repair, just after warranty period, transmission blew up then vehicle quit driving forward; transmission technician and could not tell the cause of failure. Consumer spoke to the service department manager and said there was a possibility of an axle bearing or bearing failure.

Filed Nov 24, 2003 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · CT

At 39,000 miles the transmission malfunctioned while shifting into gear, which caused a lurching movement every time. *jb initially, the transmission problem started at 26k miles. The dealer stated stated that the steering wheel rod needed replacing and lubrication. The difficulty returned. The dealer stated that nothing was wrong. The vehicle had begun to lurch into gear when stopped, skipped gears in reverse, and sometimes would not drop into proper gear.

Filed Nov 11, 2003 · Transmission · 21,523 miles · NY

Car lurches, also makes grinding noise code-op-730 loosing communication with PCM replace PCM.

Filed Jul 2, 2003 · Transmission · GA

While driving at any speed transmission jerked. Dealer inspected and stated the was the code-po742. Consumer stated this vehicle was no longer on warranty.

Filed Jan 22, 2001 · Acceleration · WA

After starting vehicle with gear in drive vehicle jerks forward, appearing to just suddenly take off,cause unknown. Please give any further details.