1996 Chevrolet Impala Problems & Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

BACK IN NOVEMBER 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW 1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY HOME AND DID A COMPLETE VEHICLE INSPECTION. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE DEALERSHIP LANAN CHEVROLET OF WOBURN MASSACHUSETTS DID A POOR JOB PREPPING THE VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE LUG NUTS FOR THE WHEELS, ALL WERE LOOSE. I GOT MY TORQUE WRENCH AND TORQUED THE WHEEL NUTS TO THE 100FT LBS. I ALSO FOUND THE FRONT END COMPONENTS WERE NOT GREASED. I CALLED UP THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THEY DID A LOUSY JOB.. TODAY 2014 SINCE GM HAS 30 MILLION RECALLS I THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK MY VEHICLES FOR ANY RECALLS . WHAT I FOUND WAS , THE LOOSE LUG NUTS ARE LISTED AS AN INCOMPLETE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. SINCE NOV 1995 THESE LUG NUTS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND RE TORQUED ABOUT 50 TIMES. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO CLEAR THIS RECALL FROM THE GM DATA BASE AND THE SERVICE GUY SAYS YOU HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN ..THIS IS STUPID ! *TR

FUEL PUMP FUSE BLOW OUT. THE CAR CUTS OFF AND STOPS WHILE DRIVING, BLOWING OUT THE FUSE. WHEN A NEW FUSE IS INSTALLED AND THE ENGINE IS STARTED, IT BLOWS OUT AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE WIRING ON THE FUEL PUMP SENDER UNIT MELTS AND PEELS BACK THE INSULATION, CAUSING THE BARE WIRES TO TOUCH AND SHORT AGAINST THEMSELVES OR GROUND OUT AGAINST THE CAR. THIS OCCURS RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP TANK ON THE SENDER ASSEMBLY OR JUST INSIDE THE TANK. THE FUEL PUMP WIRING HARNESSES ON THESE VEHICLES ARE PROBLEMATIC AND DEFECTIVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE FUEL TANK AND EVENTUALLY A CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSION. A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDER (OEM PART NO. 25028955) WAS REPLACED IN ADDITION TO A NEW ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, AND NEW FUEL FILTER. *JB

CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALLS YOU HAVE PLACED ON THE CAPRICE CAR I HAVE. *AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINED, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR WAS SOAKED DUE TO A LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB

(1) WHILE TRAVELING THRU LAUGHLIN, NV TRAVELING WEST ON HWY 163, CAR ABRUPTLY QUITS. FUEL PUMP FUSE BLOWN. SUSPECT DYING FUEL PUMP. INSTALL NEW FUSE, TRAVEL ANOTHER 30 MILES UP HWY 95...CAR DIES AGAIN. THIS TIME, NO BLOWN FUSE. FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RUN. TOW VEHICLE TO FINAL DESTINATION (LAS VEGAS). (2) PULLED THE TANK, REMOVED THE SENDING UNIT FOR PUMP REPLACEMENT. QUICKLY NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WIRING INSIDE THE TANK HAD SHORTED OUT. INSULATION BURNT COMPLETELY OFF OF THE PRIMARY PUMP POWER WIRE AND SHORTED INTO THE FUEL QUANTITY GROUND WIRE. CONNECTOR AT TOP OF SENDING UNIT MELTED. (3) REPLACE SENDING UNIT, FUEL PUMP, STRAINER AND FUEL FILTER. *AK

INABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING ON ROUGH ROADS. STEERING IS VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. ALSO, VEHICLE DARTS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE BRAKING. *AK

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP DURING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED 3 YEARS AGO. CHEVROLET DEALERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE BOTH DENY ANY EVIDENCE OF A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS ALTHOUGH THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND AN IMPALA OWNERS' WEB SITE BOTH LIST NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT RENDERS THE CAR TEMPORARILY OUT OF CONTROL. *AK

STEERING ASSIST STOPS WHEN TURNING. NOT ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.ITS VERY SCARY WHEN IN TRAFFIC.SO FAR NO ACCIDENTS, BUT ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN .

REAR VISION IS IMPARED WHEN LOOKING THROUGH BACK GLASS.THE DE-ICER/DEFROSTER HAS TURNED ( FOGGY) .THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY.

1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN MOTION.*MR *CB *JB

THE LOWER BALL JOINT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP,THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE'S UNDER BODY. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

HEATER CORE IN MY 1996 IMPALA IS CONSTANTLY CLOGGING, THEREFORE NO HEAT AND NO DEFROSTERS. COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED 2 TIMES BY CHEVROLET GARAGE. THEY HAVE NO WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE AND NOT A LOCAL ISSUE. *JB

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

I BOUGHT MY 1996 IMPALA SS BRAND NEW, AND EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN IN THE WINTER TIME I LOOSE THE HEAT. THE DEALER, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WOULD FLUSH THE HEATER CORE AND SOMETIMES REPLACE IT YEARLY. THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED, AND I HAVE LOST THE HEAT IN THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING THE HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO THE OWNER, AND I HAVE TALKED TO MANY CAPRICE/IMPALA SS OWNERS OF THIS YEAR WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT IT, AND NOW THE OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH THE BILL AND IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM FIX IT YOU DRIVE IN A COLD CAR. IF THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, THEN CHEVY/DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FLUSHING OR REPLACING MY HEATER CORE(WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE HEAT) FOR AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS, I AM ONLY A SMALL GUY FIGHTING A GIANT. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS KJB. TS

FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND MOTION LOOK-UP DEVICE FAILLED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON REPLACEMENT FOUND THAT THE RETRACTION SPRING HAD WORN THROUGH THE PLASTIC SIDE COVER. FALURE OCCURRED WHEN I LEANED FORWARD AND APPLIED FORCE TO THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS. IF IT HAD OCCURRED IN AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RESTRAINED.

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WAS INOPERATIVE. WHEN SEATBELT WAS EXTENDED OUTWARD, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT. BY ASSUMPTION, CONSUMER TESTED THE BELTS BY SLAMMING ON BRAKES, AND THEY DIDN'T RETRACT. TS CONSUMER ALSO REMOVED THE MOLDING AND FOUND THE RECOIL SPRING WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF HOLE ON THE COVER. *TT *JB

ODOMETER DISPLAY GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY-DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS INDICATED THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE DASH. SOUNDS EXCESSIVE FOR A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 42,000 MILES. THE WATER PUMP LEAKING CREATES MORE OF A SAFETY HAZARD. IT LEAKS ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT, CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AGAIN, THIS PART FAILING WITH LESS THAN 42,000 MILES ON A CAR SEEMS OUT OF LINE. MR

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WANTED TO TURN LEFT INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN LEFT AND THE STEERING WAS TO DIFFICULT TO TURN, I HAD TO RUN OVER A CURB AND OVER A PATCH OF GRASS TO AVOID HITTING A CAR. I STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT TO NO AVAIL. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AGAIN, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED, BUT NOT WITH EASE. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON MY WAY HOME INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED ABOUT FIFTEEN TIMES. THIS IS A "SAFETY HAZARD" AND COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. *AK

ALL 3 BATTERIES HAVE LEAKED ACID OUT. HAD A PUDDLE OF ACID ON GARAGE FLOOR, THAT MY 6 YEAR OLD SON ALMOST STEPPED IN BARE FOOTED.*AK

MANUFACTURER USED A PLASTIC TANK ON TOP OF RADIATOR INSTEAD OF METAL. PLASTIC TANK BECAME SPLIT, AND ANTIFREEZE POURED OUT, COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND COOLANT LEAKAGE, CONSEQUENTLY CREATING A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. PRIOR ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY, AND POSSIBLY THE CURRENT HEAD GASKET DEFECT. PRIOR COOLANT LEAKAGE ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT CAUSED POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING BELT AND ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT. POWER STEERING BELT AND ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED SEPT. 1999. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED NOV. 2000.

IDLER ARM HAS WORN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

COOLENT DEX COOL FAILED AT HALF ITS WARRANTY AND CAR DAMAGINGLY OVERHEATED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP. IT ALSO REQUIRED DAYS OF FLUSHING OUT THE HEATER CORE AND THE COOLING SYSTEM. IT MAY HAVE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AN EXPENSIVE HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE.

BOSCH ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PUMP COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE BOSCH ABS PUMP ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ON MY AUTOMOBILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A FLUID LEAK IN THE REAR BRAKES AND SUSPECTED SOME TYPE OF FAILURE WITHIN THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. SINCE THE CARS MILEAGE WAS ONLY 14,783 AND THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ALREADY, HE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, CHUCK OHL IN CHARDON, OHIO. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE TROUBLE AS ABS PUMP FAILURE, SO THEY REPLACED THE BOSCH UNIT FOR $1,635 BILLED TO MY MECHANIC. CHEVROLET HAD NO REPORTED RECALLS ON THIS UNIT AND SINCE THE NEW CAR WARRANTY OF 36,000 MILE/3 YEARS IS EXPIRED, I WAS LEFT TO PAY $1725.14 (INCLUDES TAX) FOR THE NEW BOSCH ABS PUMP. CHEVROLET SERVICE LISTED THE ABS PUMP LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL PUMP- THERE IS NO CORROSION ON IT OR ANY OTHER AREA OF THE VEHICLE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND HAVE KEPT IT GARAGED EVERY WINTER FROM OCTOBER TO MAY. THEREFORE, IT SUFFERS NO CORROSION FROM OHIO WINTERS. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. IN NO WAY HAVE THE BRAKES BEEN ABUSED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THIS BRAKE FAILURE IS THE ORIGINAL BOSCH ABS PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. I WROTE COMPLAINT LETTERS TO CHEVROLET AND TO BOSCH. CHEVY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HAS NEVER ANSWERED MY LETTER BUT I CALLED & THEY DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. BOSCH ANSWERED IN WRITING. WITH NO CORROSION ON MY VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED, BOSCH'S EXPLANATION FOR THE ABS PUMP FAILURE SUGGESTS THE BRAKE SYSTEM ABSORBED MOISTURE. THEY ALSO STATE THE BRAKE FLUID SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 1 TO 2 YEARS, "LIKE MANY VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS INCLUDE IN RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES." I HAVE CAREFULLY CHECKED THE CHEVROLET OWNER'S MANUAL DELIVERED WITH MY VEHICLE-CHANGING BRAKE FLUID IS NOT MENTIONED. *AK

ALL TIRES .TREAD SEPARATION IN PROGRESS( DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRE SIZE: 255/50ZR17 )

ODOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESISTERS OPERATE AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERTURES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF VENTILATION THAT THE SOLDER JOINTS MELT CAUSING THE ODOMETER TO FAIL .I FEEL IF THESE RESISTERS COULD FALL OUT INTO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICIAL FIRE..

ODOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESISTERS OPERATE AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERTURES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF VENTILATION THAT THE SOLDER JOINTS MELT CAUSING THE ODOMETER TO FAIL .I FEEL IF THESE RESISTERS COULD FALL OUT INTO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICIAL FIRE..

ON 7/2/2000 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP AND MY CAR WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO I GOT THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED MODERN CHEVROLET IN WINSTON SALEM NC ON MONDAY MORNING AND HAD THEM PICK THE CAR UP FOR REPAIR. WHEN THEY CONTACTED ME THE SAME DAY THEY TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP FUSE HAD BLOWN OUT AND MY CAR WAS READY TO PICK UP. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP THEY TOLD ME IF THE FUSE BLEW OUT AGAIN THAT I MAY NEED TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $150.00. ON AUGUST THE 20TH, 2000 I WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM A TRIP WITH MY COUSIN AND WE WERE ABOUT 150 MILES FROM HOME TRAVELING EAST ON I-40 AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR WENT DEAD AGAIN. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND GET ASSISTANCE TO GET IT HOME. I LEFT IT AT MODERN CHEVROLET AGAIN FOR REPAIR. THAY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO I TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD. AS IT WENT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SENDING UNIT BOTH NEEDED REPLACING. I TOLD THEM I WANTED THE PARTS WHEN THEY FINISHED. WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER THIS COST ME $1050.00 IN REPAIR AND TOWING. WHEN I RECEIVED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT WHICH I HAD TO ASK FOR AS THEY DIDN'T LEAVE IT WITH THE VEHICLE I FOUND THE WIRING TO THE PUMP HAD SHORTED OUT SOME HOW AND THE WARE WAS BARE FOR ABOUT AN INCH AND HAD SHORTED AGAINST ANOTHER WIRE. THIS WAS AN IN TANK FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT AND I FEEL I WAS LUCKY THE VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. I HAVE THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT IF IT IS NEEDED.

I BELONG TO AN IMPALA SS CLUB AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE NOTICED THAT THE STOCK AC/DELCO (?) 676 BATTERY WOULD SOMETIMES LEAK. MANY COMPLAINED TO GMC BUT NOTHING HAPPENED SO AS PRECAUTION MANY PEOPLE CHANGED OUT THEIR BATTERY SINCE GM WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. NOW WE (THE CLUB) NOTICED THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE CHEVY SUBURBAN AND TAHOE AND YUKON ABOUT THE SAME BATTERY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST SINCE 1994 WHEN OUR IMPALAS STARTED TO BE MADE. THESE BATTERYS ARE SHODDY. PLEASE TAKE HELP TAKE THEM OFF THE ROAD. I ALREADY SWAPPED OUT MY BATTERY SINCE I DIDN'T WANT ANY ACID SPILLING IN THE ENGINE BAY.*AK

ENGINE SURGES WHEN COMING OFF OF IDLE. DEALER HAS STATED IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THAT GMC IS WORKING ON A FIX FOR THE EGR VALVE. *AK

HEATER CORE BLOCKED-NO DEFROST CAPABILITY-VISION OBSTRUCTED-DANGEROUS SITUATION-THE IMPALA CLUB HAS HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT WHICH APPEARS DUE TO THE DEX-COOL ANTI FREEZE INSTALLED BY GMC AT THE FACTORY.ACCORDING TO INPUT FROM THE MEMBERSHIP REPLACEMENT OF THE CORE, FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR AND REFILLING WITH TRADITIONAL ANTI FREEZE CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. FAILURE IN THE SYSTEMS WITH THE DEX-COOL OCCURS IN AS LITTLE AS 11,000 MILES BUT MANY FAILURES SEEM TO OCCUR AT 40,000 TO 50,000 MILES. THE DEX-COOL IS STATED TO LAST FOR 100,000 MILES. GM IS PRESENTLY REFUSING TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *AK

LF DISC BRAKE CALIPER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH NOT RELEASING OR "FLOATING" PROPERLY. THIS HAS CAUSED ACCELERATED WEAR TO THE OUT BRAKE PAD. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT. I HAD TO CORRECT MYSELF. I AM AN ASE MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" WHICH IT IS NOT. IF I WAS NOT A TRAININED, CERTIFIED AND LICENSED BRAKE TECHNICIAN THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND/OR CORRECTED. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *AK

GMC IN RECENT YEARS HAS REPLACED MOST OF THE FUEL LINES ON ITS VEHICLES WITH A FLEXABLE NYLON FUEL LINE. THIS WAS DONE TO SAVE MONEY AND MAKE INSTALLATION EASIER. THE METAL END FITTING ARE JUST ATTACTED TO THE LINES BY SHIRNK RAPPING THE NYLON LINE TO THE FITTINGS. AS PER GM'S OWN SERVICE MANUAL THESE NYLON FUEL LINES ARE VERY VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE FROM CHAFFING, SHARP OBJECTS, HEAT. THE SERVICE MANUAL STATES THAT THESE FUEL LINES MUST NOT BE EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES ABOVE 190 DEGREES F. FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, OR 235 DEGRESS AT ANY TIME. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT OF THIS VEHICLE CAN FAR EXCEED 235 DEGREES F. I HAVE SEEN THE LINES SOFTEN FROM EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND THE SHRINK RAP AT THE METAL END FITTINGS RELAX. THESE LINES ARE USED BEFORE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND ARE EXPOSED TO THE FULL FUEL PRESSURE THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAN GENERATE. THIS CAN BLOW THE ENDS RIGHT OFF THE NYLON LINES WHEN THEY ARE EXPOSED TO HEAT ABOVE 200 DEGREES F. THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL IGNITION SOURCES (ELECTRICAL SPARK AND AUTO IGNITION FROM HEAT)

RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE FAILED. THE LINKAGE IN THE COWL PLENUM CHAMBER BROKE AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE RIGHT W/S WIPER DRIVE PIVOT. *AK

HEATER CORE CLOGS UP FROM (DEX-COOL) ANTIFREEZE, RESULTING IN NO HEAT FOR DEFROSTERS CAUSING FOGGING OF THE WINDOWS, UNABLE TO RECTIFY. *MJS

HEAT/DEFROST HAS FAILED TWICE BOTH TIMES FLUSHED AND REPAIRED BY MYSELF (ASE MASTER CERT. MECH.) BOTH IN COLD WEATHER DEFROST WOULD'NT CLEAR WINDSHIELD FOR PROPER VISIBILTY GM CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH DEX-COOL IN THE SYSTEM AND IT'S MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS.

HEAT DOESN'T WORK IN THE WINTER. HEATER CORE HAS TO BE FLUSHED EVERY WINTER BECAUSE OF BUILD UP. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS RARE, NEVER HEARD BEFORE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND DOESN'T KNOW ITS CAUSE. *AK *ML

MAJOR VISABILITY AND SAFETY PROBLEM CAUSED BY DEFROSTER/HEATER FAILURE ON MOST 1996 IMPALAS DUE TO CHEMICAL REACTION WITH NEW (1996) DEX-COOL ANTI-FRREEZE IN HEATER CORE CAUSING ACCELERATED LOSS OF HEAT UNTIL COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OCCURS.

MY WIFE HAD COMPLAINED OF THE STEERING GOING OUT ON HER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. I COULD NEVER GET THE STEERING FAILURE TO MANIFEST ITSELF FOR ME, SO I FIGURED IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ANOMALIE. LAST MONTH, THE STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR ME AT VERY POOR TIMES. I WAS TURNING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING AND ALMOST RAN INTO MY SUBDIVISION'S SIGN. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN I WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT IN NASHVILLE, AND THE STEERING FROZE. I REV'D THE ENGINE UP TO SEE IF THE INCREASE IN PUMP PRESSURE WOULD HELP, BUT TO NO AVAIL. MY WIFE INSTRUCTED ME TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART IT. THE STEERING RESPONEDED POORLY, AND I LIMPED THE CAR HOME AND IT IS PARKED THERE TODAY AWAITING A NEW PUMP FROM NAPA. I TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE THIS WEEKEND, BUT THE STEERING COULDN'T EVEN FUNCTION ENOUGH FOR THAT TASK. THIS STEERING PROBLEM ALMOST KILLED ME, MY WIFE,AND POSSIBLY ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNITE ENOUGH TO BE IN THE PATH OF THIS CAR. WITHOUT POWER STEERING, THIS CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER, UNLESS YOU ARE VERY STRONG AND RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THANK GOD FOR 4 WHEEL ABS BRAKES! *AK

MY WIFE HAD COMPLAINED OF THE STEERING GOING OUT ON HER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. I COULD NEVER GET THE STEERING FAILURE TO MANIFEST ITSELF FOR ME, SO I FIGURED IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ANOMALIE. LAST MONTH, THE STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR ME AT VERY POOR TIMES. I WAS TURNING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING AND ALMOST RAN INTO MY SUBDIVISION'S SIGN. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN I WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT IN NASHVILLE, AND THE STEERING FROZE. I REV'D THE ENGINE UP TO SEE IF THE INCREASE IN PUMP PRESSURE WOULD HELP, BUT TO NO AVAIL. MY WIFE INSTRUCTED ME TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART IT. THE STEERING RESPONEDED POORLY, AND I LIMPED THE CAR HOME AND IT IS PARKED THERE TODAY AWAITING A NEW PUMP FROM NAPA. I TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE THIS WEEKEND, BUT THE STEERING COULDN'T EVEN FUNCTION ENOUGH FOR THAT TASK. THIS STEERING PROBLEM ALMOST KILLED ME, MY WIFE,AND POSSIBLY ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNITE ENOUGH TO BE IN THE PATH OF THIS CAR. WITHOUT POWER STEERING, THIS CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER, UNLESS YOU ARE VERY STRONG AND RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THANK GOD FOR 4 WHEEL ABS BRAKES! *AK

DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE CLOGS HEATER CORE, RESULTING IN HEATER NOT WORKING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE PUCHASE OF CAR.

CLOGGED HEATER CORE DUE TO DEX-COOL COOLANT IN CAR. TOOK TWO TRIPS TO DEALER TO GET FIXED, AND THEN ONLY AFTER GIVING THEM THE TSB. DEX-COOL COOLANT IS KNOWN FOR CAUSING HEATER CORE BLOCKAGE, BUT GM REFUSES TO ADMIT IT, OR OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE. AS THE WARRANTY ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES IS WEARING OUT, COST OF THIS CONSTANT FLUSHING OF THE CORE IS PUT ON THE OWNER. GM ADVERTISES THE DEXCOOL COOLANT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, OR SERVICED FOR 100,000 MILES. THIS PROMISE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BEING LIVED UP TO, AND THE OWNERS OF THE CARS ARE THE ONES PAYING THE PRICE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HEATER DOES NOT COME ON DUE TO HEATER CORE BEING CLOGGED. DEALER HAS FLUSHED THE SYSTEM, AND HEATER STILL DID NOT FUNCTION. WATER PUMP REPLACED. APPEARS THAT A CHEMICAL REACTION WITH DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE, OEM STOPLEAK FACTORY TABLETS, AND ALUMINUM AND STEEL COMPONENTS INCLUDING FLOW RESTRICTOR CAUSE CONGEALING OF COOLANT WHICH CAUSES ACCELERATED LOSS OF HEAT UNTIL COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF THE HEATER CORE OCCURS. DEX-COOL WAS NOT USED IN PREVIOUS GM MODELS, AND NO HEAT PROBLEMS EXISTED. CONSUMER BELIEVES A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *AK *ML

ALTERNATOR SUDDENTLY STOPPED WORKING. DASH BOARD LIGHT DOESN'T ALLOW CONSUMER TO SEE THE SPEED. HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST HE IS GOING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS HEADLIGHTS GO DIM. WHEN HE RELEASES GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL FORCE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DOES NOT RESTART CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN TO THE DRIVER. YH

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS. CONTACTED DEALER, HE HAS CHECKED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED & IMMEDIATELY THE LOCKS BEGAN ENGAGING & DISENGAGING IN RAPID SEQUENCE, THEN THERE WAS A SNAP AND I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING WIRES. I NOTICED SMOKE RISING TO MY LEFT COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE HOOD VENTS. I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. MY HUSBAND CAME OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE FIRE WALL. HE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH BOARD AND SAW FLAMES. I AT THAT POINT CONTACTED 911 AND HE WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT, THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I AM GLAD I WAS OF A CLEAR FRAME OF MIND OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR. WE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT UNLOCKING THEM MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE WHICH WAS VERY TOXIC. THIS COULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY ARE NOW INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP.

POSITIVE POST OF BATTERY FORCED OUT FROM INSIDE BATTERY. EXTENSIVE PAINT AND RUST DAMAGE OCCURED. I AM AWARE OF MANY OTHER SUCH CASES WITH DELCO BATTERIES.

THE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED IN HALF, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO COLLAPSE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED ONCE PRIOR TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT MENTIONED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM INDICATING THAT ABS IS DISABLED, RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS THIS CONDITION FOR A WHILE, DEALERS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. EGR AND EGR SOLENOID FAILED, 3 VISITS TO DEALER DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, BUT RATHER ON TWO OCCASSIONS THEY DELIBERATLY DISABLED THE EGR SYSTEM TO HIDE THE PROBLEM FROM ME. I FINALLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY REPLAING THE EGR SOLENOID AT MY OWN EXPENSE.

A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT CAME FROM THE AIR CLEARNER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM BEHIND DROPPED INTO THE THROTTLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE THE BE WIDE OPEN.

I FOUND TWO VEHICLES THAT HAD THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS WITH MELTED WIRES. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO THE NTSA BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD

THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING FULL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON EMPTY DUE TO A SHORT THAT HAD WELDED WIRES TOGETHER INSIDE OF THE TANK. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE.

REAR BRAKE CALIPER(S) FREEZESS ON MOUNTING FRAME, CAUSING VERY LOW BRAKE PEDAL. IN SOME CASES, THE CALIPER FALLS OFF MOUNTING FRAME, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. *AK

TIRES ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE FENDER ,EVEN WITH NORMAL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN THE VEHICLE, ALMOST CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *AK

HEATER CORE LEAKING AT 37,000 MILES COSTLY REPAIR GOT SOME ASSISTANCE AFTER I CALLED 800 NUMBER THEN WATER PUMP LEAKING AT 52,000 MILES COSTLY REPAIR AGAIN NO ASSISTANCE THEN ODOMETER LIGHT FAILED AND HAD TO REPLACE COMPLETE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AGAIN VERY COSTLY I HAVE THE POPPING SOUND IN FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM MANUFACTURER AS TO A RECALL IS THERE ONE

WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TWICE DUE TO A LEAKAGE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST HIT A TREE. *AK

STARTING IN THE 1990 MODEL YEAR, GM HAS BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLING DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE LUBRICATING HOLES!! IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE THIS GASKET TO ONE THAT HAS THE PROPER HOLES, YOUR OUTER AXLE BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE AXLES THEMSELVES, WILL BE DESTROYED BY AROUND 70K MILES. THE DAMAGED (UNDER LUBRICATED) BEARINGS WILL WEAR GROOVES IN THE AXLE SHAFTS, REQUIRING THAT THEY ALSO BE REPLACED. IF THIS IS LEFT UNCHECKED, THE METAL BITS FROM THE DAMAGED OUTER BEARINGS AND AXLES WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE INNER BEARINGS, PINION BEARINGS, AS WELL AS CAUSE THE SPIDER GEARS TO WEAR INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. GM HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CURRENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. EVEN THE NEW VEHICLES STILL COME WITH THE IMPROPER GASKETS. FACTORY REPLACEMENT GASKETS ALSO LACK THE LUBRICATING HOLES. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REAR AXLE GASKET HAS A PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM FULL-SIZE LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS ALSO SUFFER FROM THIS PROGLEM. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT SHOULD YOU BE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE REAR END/AXLE GOES, SOMEONE/THING IS GOING TO GET HURT, NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH EXPENSE OF THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. *AK

STARTING IN THE 1990 MODEL YEAR, GM HAS BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLING DIFFRENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE LUBRICATING HOLES!!! IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE THIS GASKET TO ONE THAT HAS THE PROPER HOLES, YOUR OUTER AXLE BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE AXLES THEMSELVES, WILL BE DESTROYED TY AROUND 70K MILES. THE DAMAGED (UNDER LUBRICATED) BEARINGS WILL WEAR GROOVES IN THE AXLE SHAFTS, REQUIRING THAT THEY ALSO BE REPLACED. IF THIS IS LEFT UNCHECKED, THE METAL BITS FROM THE DAMAGED OUTER BEARINGS AND AXLES WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE INNER BEARINGS, PINION BEARINGS, AS WELL AS CAUSE THE SPIDER GEARS TO WEAR INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. GM HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CURRENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND EVEN THE NEW VEHICLES STILL COME WITH THE IMPROPER GASKETS. FACTORY REPLACEMENT GASKETS ALSO LACK THE LUBRICATING HOLES. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REAR AXLE GASKET HAS A PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM FULL-SIZE LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS ALSO SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT SHOULD YOU BE TRAVELING AT A HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE REAR END/AXLE GOES, SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO GET HURT NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH EXPENSE OF CORRECTING THE PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE REAR END REPLACED.

THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE TO PROPERLY STOP THIS VEHICLE. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES FASTER THAN THE REAR.

GENERAL MOTORS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE LUBRICATING HOLES, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE OUTER AXLE BEARINGS/AXLE SHAFT TO BE DAMAGED AROUND 70000 MILES. THE DAMAGED BEARINGS COULD POTENTIALLY WEAR GROOVES IN THE AXLE SHAFTS. IF NOT FIXED, THE METAL BITS FROM DAMAGED OUTER BEARINGS COULD ALSO DAMAGE THE INNER BEARINGS/PINION BEARINGS, AS WELL AS CAUSING THE SPIDER GEARS TI WEAR INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL, CAUSING REAR END FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

UNSPECIFIED.

GENERAL MOTORS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLING DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKETS THAT DO NOT HAVE LUBRICATING HOLES. *AK

TIRE FAILED, WENT FLAT OVERNIGHT.

CLEAR COATING ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL RIM BASE IS BLISTERING. *AK

TWO OF B.F. GOODRICH TIRES LOAE PRESSURE, ONE AT AN ALARMING RATE. *AK

B.F. GOODRICH SIDEWALL TIRE FAILURE. *AK

B.F. GOODRICH TIRES LOST AIR WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF TIRES. *AK

FUEL GAUGE FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL SHORT IN FUEL SENDER.

FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FAILED, RETAINER NOT REMOVED.

REAR OF ENGINE BLOCK WIRING CHAFFED CAUSING MALFUNCTIONS IN SPEEDOMETER.

BROKEN POWER STEERING SHAFT.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.

SEVERE VIBRATION AND SHAKING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MILES PER HOUR.

WHEN DRIVING WITH ONE OR MORE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT THE FENDER RUBS THE TIRE. DEALER CAN'T FIX. *AK

SEAT BELT FAILED.

PROPORTIONAL VALVE DESIGNED FOR DISC/DRUM, NOT FOR DISC/DISC. PRESENTS IMPROPER BIAS TO FRONT BRAKES. *AK

FUEL METER ASSEMBLY (SENDER) FAILED.

FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RETAINER REPAIRED (NOT REMOVED FROM TANK ASSEMBLY).

ELECTRICAL FAILURES : WIRING CHAFFED, VSS SIGNAL (NOT SET TO ECM).

POWER STEERING SHAFT FAILED.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.

COVER GASKET DOES NOT HAVE PROPER HOLES TO LUBRICATE THE OUTER REAR AXLE.

OIL COOLER HOSE FAILURE. *AK

DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK.

THE VEHICLE STALLED.

THE ENGINE HESITATES, STALLS, JERKS, AND RACES.

THE TRIP ODOMETER FAILED.

THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES OR IS NONFUNCTIONAL.

TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL NOISE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE RIM, CAR WAS ABLE TO GET ON SIDE. DEALER GLUED THE TIRE BACK ON RIM. THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. *AK

PASSENGER'S DOOR STUCK.

SEAT BELT JAMMED IN THE BUCKLE ALONG THE UPPER EDGE. *AK

LEFT/RIGHT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FAILED TWICE.

STABILIZER KIT REPLACED.

POWER SEAT TRACK FAILED.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

FRONT SPRINGS FAILED.

GRINDING GEAR SOUND IN REAR END-CAUSING AUTO TO PULL AND JERK. *AK

OIL COOLER LINES ROUTED SO THEY RUB AGAINST METAL, CAUSING HOLES/LEAK.

HORN CONTACT CAM OPEN, CAUSING HORN TO FAIL.

POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTED SO THEY RUB AGAINST METAL, CAUSING HOLE/LEAK. *DH

REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD

ABS: LOST ALL BRAKING POWER ASSIST FUNCTIONS TWICE IN ONE DAY; PEDAL TRAVEL TO FLOOR; INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES; NO WARNING. TT

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF . TT