[Timmay2]

Hello, I'm new here and mostly brought here in frustration due to the impala I have. I have read some people with similar problems that I have, so thought I'd start throwing out everything I've had to have done to the car. Chevrolet "customer care" and dealership says its typical of a used car, but we will see if any of you can beat it:


Intermediate shaft (present at purchase, 26k miles)
Powersteering gear assembly(ongoing steering noise from above, about 29k miles)
#6 fuel injector replaced (29k miles)
tpms sensor replaced (29k miles)
Oil leak, attempted repair twice, front seal. (34k? miles)
tpms, antennae transmitter and receiver (34k miles?)
Tires were seperating, tried balance and rotate at dealer, rotated myself, took to a tire shop eventually after fed up and they said the tires are seperating (present at purchase, 26k miles)
Rotors warped (present at purchase, 26k miles)
3+ Alignments (always the front driver side suspension)
Transmission fluid leak (40k miles)
Passenger Motor mount (clunking when shifting, entering/exting driveways, speed bumps (40K)


Outstanding complaints:
Windows scratched glass, pass side screeches. (the window scrapers were replaced before purchase at 24842 miles, glass was scratched when bought, didnt notice until windows tinted and it REALLY shows now). Window makes unbearable noise now.
Car idles poor enough to dim the lights at a stop at night.
Popping/cracking noise from front end when turning. Similar to all the other complaints about noises when steering, but this one is a loud crack sound outside the vehicle when turning at slow speed..
Vehicle was sold as certified, but after close inspection after purchase the car was damaged and poorly repaired, quoted $3,000+ by a chevrolet body shop to repair.


I have documented called into chevrolet customer care:
August 20th
September 3rd, 19th, 26th, 30th.
October 2nd

Contact from customer care to me:
August 21, 22, 28. Closed unresolved.
September 11, 12, 16. Called selling dealer 24th, 30th.
October 2nd it was escelated to a district specialist.

At this point I stopped keeping track as it is ridiculous what happened from here.
The customer care had told me to downshift instead of using brakes, as i complained the car shook when braking. When shaking on the highway, they advised to reduce speed? Everytime I mentioned I knew others with the same problems, they said they have no records of the problems occuring and would then end the call with "im sorry, thank you for calling chevrolet customer care"

Either way, heres my story with my Impala. Lets see who can top this!

It's now out of general warranty, so on a side note, you'll see me in all the other forum topics trying to figure out how to roll my window down while keeping my eardrum in tact, and how to get the car to stop making horrifically scary cracking sounds when doing u turns or backing out of parking spots until I get this properly resolved (ie bought back by dealer or gm, lawsuit, etc)

I look forward to sharing the website I create to document and track impala failures with you all in the near future!

 

[ChevyOn26's]

I to am new here and i to own a chevy impala and everything has been GREAT! No problems what so ever..Maybe your just a bit to picky about the things wrong with the car and also maybe your driving style lacks adulthood and is more reflective of a 16 year old in a race car.

 

[Timmay2]

LoL too picky... Dont even get me started on the "certified checklist" that was never done, because there are 12 failures on this checklist that should've been caught by any mechanic/body shop, if they had performed the checklist to begin with, which they did not.

Even after that post, I've left out tons of nitpicking, such as missing trim pieces, car pulls to the side, rear speaker rattles, hesitation when shifting, etc.

You sound an awful lot like the selling dealership.

 

[Superannuated]

LoL too picky... Dont even get me started on the "certified checklist" that was never done, because there are 12 failures on this checklist that should've been caught by any mechanic/body shop, if they had performed the checklist to begin with, which they did not.

Even after that post, I've left out tons of nitpicking, such as missing trim pieces, car pulls to the side, rear speaker rattles, hesitation when shifting, etc.

You sound an awful lot like the selling dealership.

Don't let the troll flame you. You are within your rights to complain and expect quality product and problem resolution. Problem is that every one of has had to deal with a lemon at least once in his/her lifetime.

Like my son would say, drive it like you hate it or flush it. No one needs such aggravation.:biggrin:

 

[blackjack]

What year is the car and how did it look when you picked up the car. Most of the time you are able to see how bad it is and be able to see if its a good car

 

[Timmay2]

Its a 2007 2LT.

Unfortunately I was not the one who examined it prior to delivery (i know, most the stories start out like this.) The car belongs to a relative of mine, but I drive it (was still paying on a previous vehicle so couldn't get my own loan.) I merely instructed her to "buy a gm certified impala" knowing how detailed the certification is supposed to be. I flew out of state to come pick it up and drive it back. From 10 feet away or a quick walkaround it shows nice.

She did not examine it that well otherwise she would've caught the previous accident coverup also and turned it down based off that. It was a trust and faith in the dealership and gm certified label, and lack of knowledge of the purchaser.

I didn't even catch it myself until the windows were tinted and the guy pointed out to me the paintlines and telltales of repainting such as trim pieces and fasteners missing. I then reflected on the original pictures sent to me when the car was bought and sure enough the physical damages were there from day one.

I just sent a letter to GM themselves asking for a buyback since its been in the dealership 5 times total for steering issues. Just seems kinda crazy that the steering issues are so common yet they don't recall they just keep changing parts trying to fix it...

I actually like the car, just not the problems that this has. If i never told anyone of the problems ive had with it, I'd have many jealous and envious people over the car

Hindsight 20/20 I'd tell anyone wanting a certified vehicle to printout the checklist online and take it in and perform it yourself by your standards. They seem to "skew" whats acceptable and whats not. They price them at KBB Excellent retail value, but they fall short on the description of excellent. Its up to the buyer to ultimately ensure the car meets the same "Excellent" guidelines by yours and an appraisal company like KBB uses.

 

[77Impala]

Hindsight 20/20 I'd tell anyone wanting a certified vehicle to printout the checklist online and take it in and perform it yourself by your standards. They seem to "skew" whats acceptable and whats not. They price them at KBB Excellent retail value, but they fall short on the description of excellent. Its up to the buyer to ultimately ensure the car meets the same "Excellent" guidelines by yours and an appraisal company like KBB uses.

That statement applies to all vehicles anyone is looking to buy.

I have had a few dealers try to tell me that a particular vehicle is better than what I actually saw first hand. My way is if the vehicle can not sell it self to me then the dealer sure won't! One even tried to tell me what a used truck on his lot was worth. He wanted 2k for one that was in way worse shape then the one I was driving and mine was almost in "Good" condition and had all the bells and whistles, his was a plain-jane version. His had a rusted out floor board, oil in the radiator, sludge in the valve cover. It did not even meet "Fair" condition. Yet he wanted top dollar. When he told me what it was worth to him and that he would get 2k for it, I told him "not from me you won't, it's not worth $500 in my book!" I pity the fool who paid that much for it.

 

[Timmay2]

For not being optomitrsits they sure try to like to tell us our eyes are lying! Reminds me of the first Malibu I looked at several months ago..had a broken windshield, fogged out headlights, and many scratches all over the paint. Dealer said its in great shape for being a used car.

 

[exchefphil]

have an 08 ss

i have had several of the same problems plus some others i called 1800 lemon law to get out of my car im 41 male i have an ss so its suppose to be driven isnt it i dont beat the hell out of it but i do use the power the car was made with

 

[Gregg-O]

So basicly they sold you a wrecked/fixed car with a boatload of issues by the sounds of it. I would not let them off the hook on this Timmay. Can/did you get a carfax for it?

To 'ChevyOn26's'...Timmay know's cars, if he is who I think he is from the Arizona Imp SS forum.

 

[foodstampz]

That sucks dude. I hate shady dealers. When I bought mine used it wasn't GM cert but I did get a car fax before I bought it. Only thing that has broke in 20k miles was the power steering line (8 hours after I bought it). The dealer towed my car to the dealership and had it fixed the same day. Now it's just minor crap like my headlight just burnt out.

 

[phileaglesfan]

Definitely sounded like a bad car from the start. Did the dealer disclose it was in an accident? If not, you might want to visit a lawyer. I know I wouldn't buy my car myself since it was involved in an accident. I plan on keeping it for years so it won't be worth much then and by then the accident would have been years ago.

 

[t70sh]

Window Scraper - noise fix?

Just bought used 06 Impala - passenger side window often screeches when going down only - what did you do for your window?

 

[jongeiman]

sucks about your car dude....i am having some issues with mine as well. However....instead of complaining about it and blaming the used car dealer, which is probably is shady, why don't you go make more money and buy a new car. Thats what I would do.

I always thought with used cars....thats what you get....even the dealer has no clue what could happen.