RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Impala Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Jan 3, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 795 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2026
Fire reported

Fuel system or backfire is what I believe happened to it. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was severely put at risk because the car exploded and caught fire while I was inside the car and fire came through the dash and air conditioner slots, anything could of happened whether shrapnel or burn. this also put others at risk if my spouse was in the car with me or the apartment complex I live in could have caught fire and endangered multiple people. No the issue has not been seen or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Yes the vehicle has been inspected by state fire marshal. No there was no warning lights or problems at all. We drove the car the night before, everything was normal and nothing was showing on the dash and the next day I jumped in, put my seat belt on and started the car to make sure it was running good and it exploded and caught flames.

NHTSA ID
11708557
Incident
Jan 3, 2026
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 25, 2021
Fire reported

My vehicle caught on fire after I returned from it getting serviced by Pepboys in Phenix City Alabama. My car was only getting serviced for the A/C and once I returned home, my car caught on fire in our drive port.

NHTSA ID
11418512
Incident
May 11, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11362423
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2019

I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA AND GOT IT LOOKED AT BEFORE PURCHASE THE ONLY THING THAT POPPED UP ON THE CODE READER WAS THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, SOMETIMES MY SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES THEY DON'T, MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T LIGHT UP OR ANYTHING. I THEN START TO SMELL GAS WHEN I TURN ON THE HEAT OR AIR IT'S UNBEARABLE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS AND THERE ARE A FEW DEALING WITH THE ENGINE COOLING AND EXHAUST/GAS LEAK ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THEY SAID THE CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE AT ANY TIME. I HAVE TWO TODDLERS SO THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS IS A SAFE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11289264
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Nov 8, 2017

FUEL SHUTDOWNS WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AT BETWEEN 60-75 MPH. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, I IMMEDIATELY LOOSE POWER, IT GOES INTO A ROUGH IDLE, AND I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. IT WILL EITHER IDLE ROUGHLY WITH NO ABILITY TO INCREASE THROTTLE FOR 5-15 MINUTES, OR, IT WILL STALL AND I CAN START IT AGAIN IN 5-15 MINUTES (WHEN WHATEVER IS NOT WORKING, COOLS DOWN). THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2014. OUR SERVICE CENTER HAS A LONG HISTORY. NO PROPER ERROR MESSAGE IS GIVEN THROUGH THE REGISTER STORAGE WHEN TESTED USING GM SHOP ANALYZERS. CHECKED GAS CAP, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, SPARK PLUGS & WIRES, CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, FUEL INJECTOR, BCM. HAVE NOT REPLACED COIL PACKS AND ICM YET. (A DYNOMETER IS PROBABLY NEEDED TO SIMULATE LOAD FOR A MOVING VEHICLE. MANY SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT BECAUSE OF COST.)

NHTSA ID
11044656
Incident
Nov 8, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed May 18, 2017
Fire reported

CHEVROLET IMPALA ENGINE COLD PARKED IN DRIVEWAY STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE EXPLODED: FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. THE MANIFOLD EXPLODED

NHTSA ID
10986292
Incident
May 18, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 27, 2016

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2002 CHEVY IMPALA FOR MY SON FOR HIS GRADUATION. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS SEEM TO TAKE GREAT CARE OF THIS CAR AND THE ONLY ISSUE IT HAD WAS THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT ACCURATE. IT FLUCTUATES BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY. THIS WEEK IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK ON FULL, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN COME DOWN TO EMPTY THEN RIGHT BACK TO FULL . WE HAVE MY SON DRIVE MY YOUNGER BOYS BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND HE DRIVES LONG DISTANCES TO GO TO HIS ARMY TRAININGS. IT HAS BECOME AN ISSUE FOR HIM TO REMEMBER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. AND HAS BECOME A WORRY FOR ME THAT HE MIGHT GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE DUE TO NO GAS. AFTER REVIEWING THE COMPLAINTS IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS ISSUE. HOPE THE MANUFACTURER DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SOON.

NHTSA ID
10888882
Incident
Apr 25, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Feb 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,498. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10825052
Incident
Dec 9, 2015
Mileage
116,498 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2016

SECURITY PASSLOCK NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. FUEL REGULATOR FAULTY NOT GETTING FUEL TO START CAR. ONCE I GET VEHICLE STARTED I CAN CUT CAR OFF AND TRY TO RESTART, CAR WILL NOT START. ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESLOVED.

NHTSA ID
10820445
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2015

MY VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL START UP SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP SYSTEM THE BATTERY ON THIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AND THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AS WELL AND THE VEHICLE STILL IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT A MECHANIC SHOP AND THE VEHICLE WORKED PERFECTLY FINE FOR THE MECHANIC AT THE TIME AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DIDN'T PERFORM THE ISSUE IN FRONT OF THE MECHANIC. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE JUNE OF 2014 AND IT RANDOMLY WONT START AT ALL AND THEN ITS STARTS HOURS AND HOURS LATER. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING PARTS ON THIS CAR THAT DEAL WITH STARTING ISSUES AND STILL THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS PLACES WITH THIS VEHICLE REFUSING TO START. I AM AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL OUT FOR KEY IGNITION ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP PRESSURE ALL OF WHICH FIT THE PROBLEMS MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL THAT IS AVAILABLE TO MY VEHICLE DOESN'T INCLUDE EITHER ONE OF THESE AND I PERSONALLY FEEL IT SHOULD INCLUDE THESE BECAUSE MULTIPLE MECHANICS WHO HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR HAVE CONFIRMED THESE ARE THE ISSUES THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING I DON'T HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP INSTALLING AND MAKING REPAIRS ON THIS CAR ONLY TO HAVE IT KEEP BREAKING DOWN I AM IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE TO FIGURE OUT IF I CAN GET THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE OTHER RECALLS AS WELL PLEASE AND THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692277
Incident
Jun 11, 2014
Mileage
19,900 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 24, 2014
Fire reported

MY SON WENT TO JUMP START THE CAR AND WHEN HE TRIED TO START IT THE ENGINE BLEW UP . THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FLEW OFF IN MULTIPLE PIECES. HAD CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THE CYLINDER WAS DEAD DUE TO THE EXPLOSION. THOUGH WELL THE CAR HAD A LOT OF MILES, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ITS TIME. SO WE DECIDED TO BUY A RE-MANUFACTURED MOTOR BECAUSE WE HAD PUT SOME WORK INTO THE CAR AND MY SON AND I THOUGH THAT WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT WITH THE NEW MOTOR TILL NOVEMBER 30TH 2014 WHEN WE NEEDED TO JUMP START THE CAR, AND THE ENGINE BLEW AGAIN THIS TIME TAKING OUT THE FUEL LINE ALONG WITH THE NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE COVER. THE CAR STARTS ON FIRE AND LUCKILY THE FLYING PARTS MISSED MY SONS GIRL FRIEND BY INCHES AS THEY FLEW BY HER.SO I KNOW NOW SOMETHINGS UP. AND I FIND THAT GM HAD DEFECTIVE FUEL REGULATORS THAT WERE RECALLED (04V090000 RECALL#) ON THE 2000 MODELS WITH THE 3800 SERIES 2 ENGINE. NOW I KNOW WHY MY ENGINE BLEW BECAUSE THE FUEL REGULATORS ARE POOR DESIGN. NO CAR NO MATTER HOW OLD ARE HOW MANY MILES SHOULD BLOW AN ENGINE WHEN YOU JUMP START IT. BATTERIES YES ENGINES I WOULD THINK NEVER BUT WHAT HAPPEN TO ME IS THE SAME AS THE RECALL NOTICE AND I AM THANK FULL NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668168
Incident
Jul 5, 2013
Mileage
133,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 19, 2014

THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM. WHEN I START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT DOWN THE ROAD, SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE IDLE WILL NOT COME DOWN FROM HIGH IDLE. I CAN DO UP TO 45 MPH AND NEVER TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR. IF I TAP THE ACCELERATOR TO RELEASE THE HIGH IDLE, IT WORKS SOMETIMES. USUALLY THOUGHT, I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, AND RESTART IT. THAT USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS FIXES THE IDLE PROBLEM. IF IT CONTINUES TO HIGH IDLE, I HAVE TO REPEAT THE STOP AND START SCENARIO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614701
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
136,500 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 5, 2014

MY GAS GAUGE STOP WORKING AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE VEHICLE. FUEL GAUGE READ INACCURATELY. I WOULD PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND FILL UP TANK AND BARELY DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE "EMPTY". I WAS TOLD BY PENSKE THAT THEY WERE UNSURE AS TO WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE AND THAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THE ISSUED REPAIRED. I HAVE RAN OUT GAS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596510
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
Mileage
229,325 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10565804
Incident
Jun 6, 2012
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOAT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATE AMOUNTS OF FUEL AND THE LOW FUEL GAUGE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10565773
Incident
Oct 9, 2003
Mileage
20,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed May 6, 2013

I PUT A NEW FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR IN AND NOW MY 02 IMPALA WONT START AND NOT GETTING ANY POWER TO FUEL PUMP NOW, WE ARE A CAR LOT AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNABLE TO START NOW FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, HAD MANY CERTIFIED MECHANICS FROM OUR AREA OBSERVE THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING 2 CERTIFIED CHEVROLET MECHANICS, AND NONE HAVE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. JUST DON'T MAKE SENSE, I AM SURE CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS SO I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED SO WE CAN SELL THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510760
Incident
Jan 8, 2013
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 30, 2013

THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK IMMEDIATELY. ONCE STARTED IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS THE CAR WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. CANNOT TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS WHEN DRIVING OR SHIFTING GEARS OR IT STALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505105
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
153,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE EXTERIOR SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE MULTIFUNTION WINDOW SWITCH WOULD NOT OPERATE ANY OF THE WINDOWS WHEN THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WAS NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENDING UNIT RELAY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED THE REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10493294
Incident
Dec 5, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2012

CAR CRANKS WHEN IT WANTS TOO IT CRANKS UP AND SOMETIME IS DOES NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443676
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT READ THE FUEL LEVELS PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DRIFT INDICATE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THEN IT WOULD DISPLAY HALF FULL AND EMPTY WITHIN MINUTES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER AND WIRING HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 1/19/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ID
10398466
Incident
Apr 25, 2010
Mileage
92,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 10, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKS. THE JERKING STOPS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOW FUEL SURGE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST $90 AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 062909 *BF UPDATED 07/01/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10273457
Incident
Feb 19, 2009
Mileage
47,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Jun 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNS THE IGNITION, IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. SHE HAS TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES TO TURN THE IGNITION AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLICKER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE SECURITY LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RELAY SWITCHES RUN THROUGH THE FUEL PUMP. TWO NEW RELAY SWITCHES WERE INSTALLED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,651.

NHTSA ID
10273151
Incident
Jan 17, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2009

CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICES - 07E021000 & 02V222000 - DO NOT APPLY TO MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS. CHEVROLET DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OR CROSS REFERENCE YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBERS. THEY STATED TO ME THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NHTSA IS "FALSE". I THINK CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LYING. HELP NEEDED. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME SOME LEGAL JARGON ANSWER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263647
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
20,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CAB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE AND THE CONNECTOR FROM THE GAS TANK WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL HOSE AT THE RAIL WOULD NOT SEAL AT THE FITTING FORM WHICH CAUSED RAW FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176055
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
31,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed May 1, 2006

I OWN A CHEVROLET, IMPALA - 2002. IN THE BEGINNING OF APRIL I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT INTO A BUSY FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY AS I HIT THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR FELT SLUGGISH AS THOUGH IT WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THAT EVENING I STOOPED TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND UPON LEAVING I WAS CLIMBING A HILL AND THE CAR ACTED UP AGAIN AND MADE A DIFFERENT SOUND AND AGAIN ACTED AS THOUGH IT WERE NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR OR NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL AND THE SECURITY LIGHT (NOT SERVICE ENGINE) CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I IMMEDIATELY PHONED MY HUSBAND AND HE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (JOHN SERRETTI). WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE FAITHFULLY SINCE WE PURCHASED IT OIL CHANGES, TIRES ROTATED ETC. ALL PERFORMED AT JOHN SERETTI'S EVERY 3/4 MONTHS. AFTER REVIEWING ALL PAPERWORK RECEIVED AT HOME FOR THE IMPALA MY HUSBAND CAME ACROSS A LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS MAILED IN OCTOBER 2005 STATING THAT SOME VEHICLES WERE EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IF WE DID INDEED HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS TO TAKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT, BUT IF NOT, NOTHING NEEDED TO BE DONE AND THIS LETTER WAS NOT A RECALL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ($90) AND FOUND THAT INDEED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTED WAS CLOGGED AND SUPPOSEDLY CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS WIRE TO ARC AND MELT WHICH ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE (ALMOST $600). MY HUSBAND HAS TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS IN REFERENCE TO THIS AND THEY ALL AGREE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. GM DID COVER PART OF THE REPAIRS BUT IN MY OPINION THEY SHOULD HAVE COVERED THEM ALL BECAUSE THE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND IF CARBON HAD BUILT UP TO THAT EXTENT TO CAUSE ALL OF THIS DAMAGE AND LEADING ME AND OTHER MECHANICS TO BELIEVE IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE STARTED A FIRE, WHY WASN'T IT DISCOVERED AT THE PREVIOUS INSPECTION-OIL CHANGE? *JB

NHTSA ID
10156527
Incident
Apr 3, 2006
Mileage
37,901 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .