2005 Chevrolet Impala: windshield wiper failure

Filed Dec 10, 2015 · Acceleration, Visibility · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the windshield wipers and cruise control failed to activate. The contact discovered that both functions were not able to be activated at the same time. Either the cruise control or the windshield wipers needed to be activated at a single time in order for either function to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 169,000 miles · IA

The hi beam headlights failed, which made the lo beam headlights go out when the hi beam was engaged. Repair service found a corroded "pin" in a multi-pin electrical connection.this is a "protected" connection, in the engine compartment, it has been corroded for a very long time according to the electric serviceman. He informed me the other "pins" will fail also effecting the wipers and other "necessary" safety components, because of the condition of this connector.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Transmission, Visibility · 159,345 miles · MO · crash · 2 injuries

Driving down the road head wipers on wipers quit for no reason come to the stop sign tried turning it off and on a few times then once you take off the car would not move and then lunged forward and hit the person in front.

Filed Jan 10, 2014 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · MI

I have spun the motor in my wipers 3 times now. The snow or ice build up under the hood where the wipers rest. I have had it fixed 2 times now. This time wipers were doing fine, made sure that I had no ice or snow on the wipers as they turn on (wake up). Then when I went to shut them off after our last ice storm, the ice build up under the hood stopped them from going down under the hood, and made them spin again. Now its a visual distraction as I am forced to drive with the wipers in the upright position on my windshield. It makes for blind spots. I know that I am not the only one who has this problem. The first time I checked out carcomplaints.com and was able to find a diagram on how to fix it from someone else. But now its spun so many times I will have to take it to a mechanic and order parts and spend unnecessary money to fix something that should never have happened.

Filed Dec 10, 2013 · Visibility · 130,000 miles · MO · crash · 2 injuries

Wipers quick working.

Filed Feb 18, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 140,920 miles · WA · fire

This report is about sudden and repeated headlight electrical system failure in a 2005 chevrolet impala sedan, and a request for a nationwide safety recall and repair at gm expense for this issue. After getting in my 2005 impala sedan at approximately 4:55 pm on 16 february 2012, I started up and drove out on the road then I smelled burning plastic and noticed the headlights (low beam) were out. I tried the high beams and they worked as did the left and right turn signals, the windshield wiper controls and the cruise control functioned. As darkness increased I had to hold the switch in the high beam position so I could see to drive so I could get home. From what I could determine the problem seems to be in the wiring to/from the multifunction light control switch or maybe it is the switch itself on the steering column. The fuses and relays and the all seemed to be in working order but the low beam lights still did not work. This failure is extremely dangerous and happens without warning. This is the second time this has happened to me now. With dealer parts cost for a replacement multifunction light switch at $350.00 alone, not to mention labor costs and the criticality of lights while driving means this should be a required safety recall item. I have searched mechanical forums on this subject and there are many such occurrences documented, but gm does not seem to think there is a common problem or a reason to investigate and fix the malfunction. This problem is common knowledge at gm dealerships nationwide. Smelling burning plastic is an indication of a serious electrical problem which could lead to an onboard fire in the car in addition to causing injury and or death from a sudden light outage at night. Again, I request a nationwide safety recall and repair be initiated as it appears to be a manufacturing defect and an extreme safety issue.

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Visibility · 58,000 miles · PA

After clearing snow off the windshield with the wipers, they no longer go to the park position. The wipers stop in an upward position blocking your view of the road. Found bent stop tab on wiper motor assembly due to many write ups on the web. This is a very common problem and I believe gm has a fix for it. I was quoted $500+ for a replacement motor assembly. The motor still works.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Visibility · MA

The wipers stick in up position 2005 chevy impala caused by the wipers trying to run if heavy snow. The internet says it is a link bending in the wiper motor area. Gm has an updated part for the 2005 but not a recall. Why should consumers pay for safety issue?

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · OK · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet impala. The contact noticed that the instrument panel gauges were inoperative and displayed inaccurate readings. In addition, the windshield wipers failed sporadically, the rear passenger tail light was poorly illuminated, and the battery failed spontaneously. When the failures occured, she smelled a burning odor as if the wires were burning. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 15, 2009 · Lights · 47,110 miles · WI

Tuesday, 1/27/09, while driving on a local country road to work at 6:15 am, vehicle headlights and other exterior lights went dark. Dashboard lights stayed on, but other exterior lights went dark for 8 to 10 seconds. Same thing occurred again monday morning, 02/02/09. No dimming or warning, lights just went off and I was driving in darkness. 02/03/09 took impala to gm dealer to run diagnostic. They determined problem with the multifunctional high/low beam lever switch (this unit also houses the cruise control, windshield wipers, and directional light controls). Est for repairs $735.00. 02/07/09 had the unit replaced at another garage for $435.00. I kept the defective unit. Have since done research to find other people reporting this same problem occurring on other impalas ranging at least from model years 2001 thru 2005. In some cases the headlights stayed on, but they were unable to switch the headlights between high and low beam. I feel this is definitely a safety issue. I contacted gm customer service to relate what happened as I believe this is a very serious problem. I feel that due to the high potential for accidents involving injury or even death, this multifunctional lever switch should be "recalled".

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Visibility · KS

I was coming home from work after a snow storm, I had turned the windshield wipers on to get the snow off so I could so. As I tried to turn the wipers to the off position they would not go down. They still work if I need them but do not go to the park position, instead they stick right up in front of the drivers side. I have taken the car to 3 different places and have received 3 different answers.

Filed May 14, 2008 · Visibility · 75,845 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the windshield wipers do not go down when the vehicle is turned off or when the wipers are deactivated. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the wiper motor was bad. The contact disagrees because the windshield wipers still work. She has not taken the vehicle to a chevrolet dealer for repair. The failure mileage was 75,845.