The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle lost electrical power. The ignition switch was stuck in accessory mode and the contact was unable to release the key from the ignition switch. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced inaccurate fuel gauge reading. Several unknown messages were displayed in different languages. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the battery had failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Chevrolet Impala fuel gauge problems
166 of the 10,418 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Impala describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 166
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 11Stalling 10Won't start 8Fuel pump 8Overheating 7Adaptive cruise 7Headlights 5ABS 4
Trouble codes mentioned
P1811 1P0300 1C1222 1C1221 1
What owners say
The issue started out as a warning from the side detection system. In the past week, the issue escalated to all the warning lights on the dash coming on, and then all electronics going dead/dark. The turn signal indicators have no lights and no sound, the radio system is dead, the speedometer and gas gauge are dead. After sitting a few hours, it seemed that things "reset" to just the side detection warning. Most recently, all the electronics are acting strange. Pushing the button on the door handle to unlock it, does nothing to the door lock, however, the display screen shows "tire learning active". When attempting the start the car by pushing the start button, nothing happens. If I put the fob in the slot inside the armrest, it will eventually start, but again all display functions are dead as is the environmental controls (no blower - no defrost- no good on a cold rainy day). Again the signal indicators are dark and silent. The indicator light for the airbags is now illuminated as well. Gm had a short lived (and seemingly secret) extended warranty for the side detection system have this exact issue when water got into the sensors, but that expired nearly a year ago. As this issue makes the car unsafe to drive, it seems that it should be a full recall to address this safety concern.
While driving the vehicle gas gauge was fluctuating up and down. I subsequently ran out of gas due to the fact that I did not know how much gas I had. I was stuck on the road. I had to get the fuel pump replaced. I checked online and there appears to be a problem with the fuel pump on other chevy impalas.
I have a message saying service side detection. It has been on for months and didn't seem to be a big deal. It now has caused a bunch of other messages to come up to service. Everything on my dashboard stop working (speedometer, gas gauge, etc.) my heat is effected and at one point, my car wouldn't start for several days.
I was noticed that the car if it sets without being ran. That it was lossing gas on the gas gauge. I would park the car over the weekend and when I check the monday before work that the gauge had dropped. I had a friend check and he said that the fuel lines where wet with fuel and looked like they had dragged on the ground. He said I should get a hold of a dealership to see if there is a recall or a safety design flaw that can get this fixed. Cause 1 spark and the car could catch fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet impala lt. The contact stated that the side detection was malfunctioning. In addition, the fuel gauge, the speedometer, and the entire dash board failed to function. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Side blind zone alert stopped working due to the poor design of the modules. This caused my gas gauge and odometer to stop working. In addition, the following lights came on and said they needed to be serviced: air bags, tires,theft system, check engine. After all of this, my car wouldn't start. I was left stranded. The faulty modules scrambled my computer in my car. The cost of this repair is around $1400 to fix, plus the modules will fail again and need to be replaced again. The modules are a poor design from gm. This seems to be an ongoing issue with these cars. Currently, gm hasn't been held responsible to fix the design of these modules. Not only do we have to pay for the repair of the faulty modules. We paid and still pay a hefty price for this vehicle. I wish I knew about this issue before I purchased this car. My car was parked and when I tried to start it, it wouldn't start. I finally was able to start it. As I drove it to the shop, I didn't have any speed odometer, turning signals or lights. This was very dangerous due to driving on a 4 lane highway in a busy city. To lose all gauges, lights, turn signals and to have other numerous "check" lights come on is very unsafe. I could have been rear ended.
The lane departure modules get wet and are located behind the rear tire. As a result the electrical system is now failing I get messages that my airbag has deployed. The gas gauge drops to empty. The heat in the drivers seat does not work. Now I have unexplained water in the bottom of my trunk with no sings how it got there. I honesty do not feel safe driving in it not know what will happen next and it my gauges tell me wrong information. Ie no gas
When my side detection monitoring system failed a few months ago I took it to a local dealer. They responded telling me that, unfortunately, the design for this sensor module/harness is completely flawed. The sensors are located in the rear bumper, with plastic housing. There is no weather protection, even though these are directly behind the tires and are exposed to all weather - plus I live in il so we're talking rain, snow, salt, etc. It's two sensors and the harness. I couldn't afford the $1200 repair, so I figured I would just have to deal with the loss of the safety feature and ignore the warning light. Last week, all of my warning lights came on - theft detection, front camera, airbag, stabilitrack, etc. My windshield wipers, turn signals, locks and headlights were all going haywire, and at one point while driving all of my gauges went to zero (no speed limit, RPM, gas gauge, anything) and my heat went out, turn signals stopped working and my headlights went out. Immediately took it to another dealership hoping that maybe my battery (factory original)/wiring might be the cause. No such luck. As it turns out the side detection modules are now corrupting all sensors and electrical systems including my air bags! The dealership confirmed that the side detection modules had failed and were causing the chaos that is occurring with all of my other warning systems, and that my air bags no longer worked. My air bags don't work because of this, nevermind the extreme danger in having a system go haywire while I'm driving! I'm at nearly 100,000 miles so I'm well past any warranty that would cover this, but I have been reading forums and carcomplaints and it turns out that this is a really common issue. The cost of the diagnostics, cost of the repair, and anticipated costs of subsequent repairs is ridiculous considering it is a known design flaw.
Driving to work and all the emergency lights on my dashboard came on for no reason. The speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, temperature gauge, radio and heater/AC controls and turn signals quit working. Additional warning lights on dashboard we're stabiltrac, ABS, air bag, tire monitor and brake light. Previous to this we had problems with the blind spot monitor system not functioning. The car has been at the dealership now for about 5 weeks with no answer. They currently have 3 other impalas with the same problem. We live in a town of under 10,000 people so what are the odds that we are the only ones. Sorry I do not have access to my VIN number at this time.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the fuel tank is missing the adhesive layer that bonds the barrier layer to the outer shell of the fuel tank.
- Risk
- With this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the serial number on the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank if necessary. The recall began on november 13, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 06V419000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
- Risk
- The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V090000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 3.4l engine and non-antilock braking system (ABS). These vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." a fuel return line can become severed in a frontal collision, resulting in fuel spillage.
- Risk
- If an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a brake master cylinder bracket that will maintain positioning of the fuel line in a frontal crash. Owner notification began june 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020.
Recall number 01V136000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Impala fuel gauge
Which Chevrolet Impala years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (66 complaints), 2005 (32 complaints) and 2002 (13 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix wrong fuel gauge reading on the Chevrolet Impala?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 21 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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