2017 Chevrolet Impala

I am filing this complaint regarding a widespread design defect affecting 2016-2018 Chevrolet Impala vehicles with 3.6L V-6 engines, and General Motors' systematic denial of legitimate warranty claims under Special Coverage Adjustment N182186881-01 through arbitrary VIN-based exclusions. My 2017 Chevrolet Impala Premier (VIN: [XXX], in service August 5, 2017) developed an evaporator core failure in summer 2020, prior to reaching 72,000 miles -- within GM's published coverage window. Despite meeting every published criterion, GM denied coverage, claimed my VIN was excluded, and has refused to provide any substantive explanation of the exclusion criteria. GM's Special Coverage bulletin explicitly committed to notifying affected customers. I never received notification, despite GM demonstrably having my contact information (I received airbag recall notices for the same vehicle). This failure caused me to lose the benefit of both the Special Coverage and a separately purchased $1,766.00 extended warranty -- a documented double loss. My vehicle has been without air conditioning for over four and a half years. Documented expenses: $671.02 in diagnostics, $206.00 unreturned deposit to Criswell Chevrolet (Gaithersburg, MD). Repair estimate: $1,700-$2,680. Other 2017 Impala owners report identical VIN-based denials despite meeting all published criteria. I have filed complaints with the Maryland AG, BBB, and Montgomery County OCP (Case No. XXX active mediation). GM's Executive Resolution Team failed to meet my written response deadline of December 11, 2025. Complete documentation (100+ pages) available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11742870

Incident

Jun 8, 2021

There is a recall for my vehicle with the evaporator core freezing leaking on certain chevy 2017 impala just like mine and my car has the same issue but they only recalled a certain number of vehicles with this problem. Is there anything I can do to resolve this issue.

NHTSA ID

11730036

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

The car will not or is slow to shift into gear. The transmission will not shift into gear..

NHTSA ID

11727869

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the interstate, the hazard light was activated and the trunk spontaneously opened. The contact was unable to securely latch the trunk and used a net to secure it. While continuing the drive, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where a diagnostic test determined there was a failure with the body control module(BCM), and a malfunction with the trunk latch assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,890.

NHTSA ID

11722274

Incident

Mar 16, 2024

Mileage

66,890 mi

Power steering assist drive with care warning popped up on dash. Took the vehicle to the dealership and they said the power steering gear failed.

NHTSA ID

11694490

Incident

Oct 12, 2025

I am writing to formally express my deep dissatisfaction regarding a recurring issue with my vehicle’s catalytic converter pipe. At 37,000 miles, the left-hand (front bank) catalytic converter pipe near the cylinder head mounting flange weld failed and was replaced under warranty by GM. Now, at just 88,000 miles, the same pipe has cracked again—at the identical location—and is not being covered by GM, forcing us to pay for repairs out of pocket. This is not simply a case of wear and tear. The failure not only resulted in significant performance issues, but also caused the housing of the fan to melt due to excessive heat exposure, posing a serious safety hazard. This repeated failure clearly indicates a design or manufacturing defect, and I’m appalled that GM has not acknowledged this as a broader issue—despite evidence suggesting this is a known and frequent problem with this vehicle model. In my view, the failure of the same part in the same location twice, within a relatively low mileage span, reflects an unacceptable lack of quality control. It is deeply disappointing that GM has not issued a recall or offered to cover this repair, which is demonstrably caused by the same flaw as before. This situation feels less like responsible customer support and more like an attempt to profit from known issues, leaving loyal customers to shoulder the financial burden. I am requesting immediate reassessment of this case, full coverage for this second repair, and a formal acknowledgment of this defect. I also encourage GM to investigate this issue further and consider issuing a recall to prevent others from experiencing similar damage and expenses.

NHTSA ID

11675052

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

I've only had my car for about 2 1/2 months, when I started to notice my car moving to the right without me moving it. I figured it needed a front-end alignment. So, I took it to a mechanic. Once he got it up on the stand, he noticed something wrong with the front suspension. He didn't do the alignment, but he told me that my "Rack and pinion" was going out. I then made and appointment with the dealership. They looked at it and told me it was my steering and that it wasn't cover under my warranty and that the part to fix it was "Nowhere in the country to be found", and if I brought the part to them. They wouldn't put it on. So now I have a car note and insurance bill on a car that I'm afraid to drive. What are people supposed to do about these cars? It would seem that It's not just a me problem.

NHTSA ID

11664482

Incident

May 30, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 117,892 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was registered as 64,484.

NHTSA ID

11659982

Incident

May 9, 2025

Mileage

64,484 mi

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.