2003 Chevrolet Impala: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Sep 11, 2011 · Brakes · 21,000 miles · CO

Under hard high speed braking the front brakes shudder badly causing a severe front end shimmy due to warped rotors making stopping difficult. If pressure on pedal is not released this could cause loss of control and a crash. It is worse if going downhill. This is a very common issue on gm cars build in the last 8 years. There are posts all over the internet about this. The problem is with poorly made brake rotors that warp at under 15,000 miles of normal use. I have had the same issue with my wife's 2003 impala. These cars should be recalled and the rotors replaced with parts of adequate quality. If you can get the issue addressed under warranty, the dealer will only either turn the defective rotors or replace them with the same oem junk. The only fix I have found it to replace them with aftermarket rotors and pads.

Filed Dec 30, 2006 · Brakes, Suspension · 50,000 miles · LA

Our 2003 impala ls @ 50k miles had a vibration when the brakes were applied that greatly increased with harder braking and also a steady vibration from the front end that increased as speed increased. My retired father in law brought the car to the dealer where we purchased the car, brian harris chevrolet in baton rouge, la and he felt that he was treated poorly by the service dept. We then took the car to all star chevrolet where we were treated professionally. They diagnosed the problems, front wheel bearings and warped rotors, but said that they could not repair it under warranty until it was approved by the warranty carrier, which could take several days. They said that rental car reimbursement would be made if warranty repair was approved. We paid a diagnostic fee and picked up our car and then took it to our local independent repair shop that we have dealt with for years and paid for the repair ourselves. They resurfaced the brake rotor and replaced the left front hub assembly. Now @ 80k miles we are experiencing the same warped rotor problems again.

Filed May 18, 2005 · Brakes · NY

The consumer has two vehicles a 2002 chevrolet suburban and 2003 chevrolet impala both are experiencing problems with the brake equipment. *mr the impala had badly warped rotors on the right rear. Only one rotor was badly warped. Both rear rotors were so corroded that they ruined the brake pads. The vehicle only had 18k miles on it. The suburban had 33k miles when the brakes produced a serious grinding noise in the rear. The rotors were so badly corroded that they did not give any warning. The wear sensors were not functional and the brake pads were destroyed down to the bare metal against the metal on one wheel. The consumer was aware that others have experienced the same problem with suburbans and gmc pick-ups. 2003 chevrolet impala VIN: [xxx] and 2002 chevrolet suburban VIN: [xxx]. *sc *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · SC

Front brake rotors wore out, causing heavy vibration in the vehicle when braking. Dealership was notified, but was unable to resolve the problem. *ak the dealer replaced the warped rotors and cleaned the pads but the vibration recurred. The consumer had two different technicians fax him a copy of general motor documents pertaining rotor problems.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Brakes · 12,984 miles · CT

When driving at different speeds and applying the brakes there was a severe vibration in the steering wheel. The consumer contacted the dealership and was informed by the mechanic that a possible cause was warped brake rotors. *ak the dealer replaced the warped rotors. *jb the problem would occur when the vehicle reached between 12 and 15 thousand miles.