2002 Chevrolet Impala: windshield wiper failure

Filed Apr 20, 2013 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · PA

Go to start the car, everything appears normal, you turn the key and nothing happens. There is power to everything but does nothing when you turn the key. No click or crank sound at all. Happens out of the blue leaving you stranded. Sometimes if you wait it out all of a sudden it will work like nothing every happened. Very bazaar. Mechanics unable to figure it out. This is a car our daughter drives and has been stranded alone at night. This is a safety issue. I goggled this problem online and found hundreds of the same complaint. The other problem is the wipers stay in up position on the windshield when your turn them off after it snows. Several thousand complaints about this problem on line as well. Causes a visibility issue.. Very dangerous!

Filed Nov 7, 2011 · Electrical · WI

I have a 2002 chevy impala,door locks,lock an unlock by there self draining the battery,dome light stays on blinkers don't work there's a clicking sound coming out of fuse box dash lights and head lights blink car starts but runs erratically,replaced turn signal switch did not help,wipers stay in the up rite position also,I've tried contacting gm no luck,do not trust dealership been ripped off more than once.

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Steering, Visibility · 113,000 miles · OH

Brought car and windshield wipers were not timed correctly and I needed a part called plaw - the company said they were fixed but, not 3 months later when heavy rain came my windshield wipers are on my windshield straight up and down right in front of what is supposed to be my visible area. Im 5'3 and I have a seven year old child and I would hate to be on the expressway when it starts raining and not able to see because no one took it seriously.. I do not look forward to rainy days especially when I have a newer car but I have to get a ride or on the bus with my child......... Help help help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed May 27, 2010 · Electrical · MA

The security light goes and car will not start been having this problem for the past 5 years. Have replaced the ignition switch, computer module everything! And still not working properly. The radio is locked. The wipers work when they want to. I have put so much money into this car and it still only runs when it wants.

Filed Mar 24, 2010 · Visibility · 124,000 miles · IL

Starting with the 2000 chevy impala they have a windshield wiper problem, where if heavy snows slides off the roof onto the windshield, or if the wipers are frozen to the windshield when you operate the wipers, it bends a tab under the wiper mechanism and causes the wipers to park in the outwipe condition when turned off instead of out of the way of the drivers vision just under the front hood. They park straight up causing a dangerous obstruction in the drivers view. There have been hundreds of postings on the internet where impala owners have had this problem specifically in the states that experience freezing weather and snow. Some have stated after paying from $75 to $300 to have it repaired the problem would return. Perhaps a very poor design on gms part but to this date gm has not instituted a recall. Gm has acknowledged the problem and designed replacement kit for the bent tab at great expense for the owner to have it repaired.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · MI

I purchased the vehicle used from another dealer in 2003. I started experiencing problems with the security system in november 2005, it would not start sometimes light would flash and after 20 minutes it starts. The problem went away until last november, and then it would do it about 2-3x a week. In february 2009 I had to replace my lower intake manifold gasket, water pump and battery. The summer 09 I had to replace the radiator due to a hairline crack in it. The security system starts to intermittently not start the vehicle again in late sep. 09 about 2-3x per week. In jan.2010 the vehicle doesn't start for me one day after coming out of the grocery store for 25 minutes. Since then it does it every morning when I go to take my child to school and I have to wait 10-20 minutes. I took the vehicle to the gm dealer and was told they weren't familiar with this problem and I needed $950 for parts and labor to replace the ignition switch and the bcm. I had the ignition switch replaced by another mechanic and that was not the problem and the vehicle is still doing the same thing. It's frustrating for me and my child. It's scary and dangerous. I'm so afraid that one day or night it may not start and I'm stranded in the streets and may be subjected to a crime or death. I don't drive it at night unless it's an extreme emergency now and this is such an inconvenience. I have to pay for rides at times to get my child to and from school when this car decides not to start so my child won't be late for school or getting picked up from school. I've also had to replace my windshield wiper motor and my driver's side door window regulator.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Lights, Visibility · 60,000 miles · PA

Bought the car from a relative. Has had the problem the entire time I owned it. I was told to just never use the high beams. They don't stay on anyway. I recently spoke to a chevrolet mechanic that stated that almost all impalas that come in on trade have a defective headlight dimmer switch. $300-400 repair. I have no high beams. Switch has been bad entire time. But if every impala that comes into the dealership has this issue why is there no recall. I ask every impala owner to file a complaint. Especially since sometimes the lights just go out, which may cause an accident. Lets get this taken care of. Especially since gm knows of the problem and is doing nothing to address it. Also have the problem with the wipers going to the full up position when turning them off. Heard this is also a common problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2009 · Visibility · 119,000 miles · MN

My 2002 chevrolet imapla's windshield wiper transmission has failed. I believe this happens when freezing rain or even a small amount of ice or snow accumulates on the windshield and isn't completely cleared before turning the wipers on. Now the windshield wipers do not function and obviously this is very dangerous when it begins to rain or snow as one cannot see clearly when driving. I have heard that this is a very common problem especially for impalas in recent years, so I feel that the part should be recalled. This has happened to me at least two other times, and now a third time where I believe the part is damaged to the point where it must be replaced. The previous two times the mechanic was able to re-set the wipers for cheap, but the most recent visit he said it would need to be replaced. I have not replaced the part yet as I do not travel far or in poor weather, but I will be doing so in the very near future.

Filed Jan 27, 2009 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · IL

Approximately 60k miles, pass lock light came on. Dealer said it was common in impalas, would cost $1500, needed to replace computer module which runs the entire vehicle. Started having starting issues, air bag malfunctions, power door locks not working, wiper & window malfunctions, trunk opening on its own, etc. Took to mechanic, said same as dealer, has seen a number of impalas with similar problem. Car randomly does not start, airbag malfunction, and doors not working.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Brakes, Visibility · 37 miles · NY

While I love my 2002 chevrolet impala it has two major problems which affect its safety. First, I hd replaced the windshield wiper blade assembly twice in 1.5 years and the linkage had been reset two separate times. The windshield wipers stayed in an upright position, blocking the view from the windshield. The second problem was the rear brakes, which deteriorated and crusted , requiring full replacement of the brake pads, rotors, etc. This could cause brake failure if no action was taken by the owner and a responsible mechanic. The most recent failure date of the windshield wiperswas listed below. The brakes were fully replaced in march 2007.

Filed Apr 30, 2007 · Visibility · MA

Windshield wiper defect. Stays in up position when turned off. I have several other impalas siince this has started on my vehicle.

Filed Mar 20, 2007 · Visibility · MI

The windshield wipers work, but when you cut them off they stand straight up instead of laying down.