Ignition Complaints to CHEVY to get recalls

[lkh1026]

I am having a fight with Chevy trying to get them to investigate this ignition problems with the Impala's. Unless everyone who is having this problems contacts them at 800-222-1020 and speaks to a customer service rep (who will give you a Service Request number) we will end up paying the $1,000 or more to get this issue fixed! For letter righting - the address is:

Chevrolet Headquarters
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, Michigan 48232-5170

I called and explained that my car just won't start, the security light will sometimes come on and stay on, the doors will not unlock once the car is put into park and using the keyless entry the headlights do not flash once unlocked like they used to. All of these issues started the same time as the issue with the car not starting. My local dealer says it is an ignition switch at $225 and an ignition cylinder and coding at $375 and a fault in the body of the control module for the doors at $345. I am dropping it off today and will post whether this fixes it or whatever else they might do to the car when I get it back.

I have called Chevy and reported this problem, when they ask what I expect I have point blank (and stood my ground) told them that I want a response from Chevy as to why I, and so many other Impala owners, are having this problem. I have also said I want to know what has to be done to get a recall possibility looked into. Don't let them bully you on the phone - tell them you will get every Impala owner you can find to call and report this problem that is isn't right we are forced to pay $1000 (cost be over $200 to get the diagnosed listed above) to get a problem in a new(er) car repaired.

I need all other Impala owners to call and complain so maybe we can get something done about this cheap car! and I don't mean cheap as in what we paid for them.

Linda

[autoforum]

I am all for keeping this post at the top of the list! I can't call because I really haven't had this problem in a couple of years as it mysteriously went away. However, I can verify the problem and have seen many owners having the same problem. Everyone with this problem, please call Chevy and post a reply to keep this item at the top of the Impala forum.

[lkh1026]

After calling and standing my ground when they asked what I expected from them - I stated, that I expected a response from Chevy why I and so many others are having this problem and what could I do to get a recall investigated. Their comment at first was that unless it was a "safety" issue it wouldn't be looked at for recall. My comment back was "what if your wife and kids are in a car somewhere and it won't start. Does it become a safety issue now?" So there is the reason for the letters..

Next they called the dealership and amazingly now the dealership was willing to split the cost of repairs 60/40 and the parts now become available at wholesale so the original repairs at $1000 now are $450. I just picked up the car this morning so I'll keep posted on how well the issues are resolved. I took print outs of all the comments here and one on MSN auto. Even though they kept saying you can only believe a percentage of what you read on the internet, I told them why would everyone make up posting of the same symptons - there is a common demonitator here. He reluncantly agreed with that comment.

This is exactly what the service paperwork says was done:

Customer states at times no crank to start. States will start if holds key in start for a few moments. Prev RO Diag'ed faulty ignition switch and cyclinder. CAUSE: contacts worn E7200 cylinder, ignition lock R&R OR replace
294 W94 (N/C)
CCT $50.40
1 - 22670487 Switch
CCT $81.01
W94 (N/C)
1 -12458191 Cylinder
CCT $95.39
W94 (N/C)

FC: 4X
PART#: 12458191
COUNT: 2

INSPECT - Found contacts worn on igntion cylinder and switch - not making contact. Replace ignition cyclinder and switch.

Customer states when put veh in park, auto unlock feature inop, also states when lock veh no horn chirp. Prev RO diagn'ed internal body control module faults - replace BCM
CAUSE: inop
N4800 Module, computer (control) body replace
294-W94 (N/C)
CCT $80.94
1-10350647 BCM
CCT $108.21
W94 (N/C)

FC: 6C
PART#: 10350647
COUNT: 1
DAIGS - found BCM logic problem. Replace BCM, reprogram BCM, PCM and VTD. Slipt for repairs order 40/60 labor and parts shop supplies $13.10

[lkh1026]

Nothing new to say other than my car seems to be running fine with the repairs at the moment. I just wanted to input a post to move this message to the top.

[glock19c2004]

I have not had this problem with my Impala yet. I have however had a similar problem that apparently a lot of Impala owners are suffering. The Blower on the HVAC unit quit working on speeds 1-4 and works fine on High (5). Everyone (and I have about 30 messages so far) that has responded to having the same problem said it was a blower resistor and a cheap and easy fix but most said their dealer took 3+ attempts to fix. I called my dealer and let them know that I knew of the problem and wanted the resistor replaced. They said the problem was common and would only be $35/part and 1 hour of labor (total estimate was $125). I dropped it off on Friday at 7:30am and let them know I needed it back by 12:30. They said it would be ready in plenty of time, but would call me before they actually started the work to verifiy what was being replaced.

I called them around 11:30 as I was worried I hadn't heard. Low and behold it wasn't the common $35 part needing replaced it was a $319 part that needed replaced(after laber the total was estimated at $450). I told them to forget it and I would pick it up around 12:30pm. When I arrived at the dealer I received the bill and was surprised (not) to see I was charged for $25.50 for the resistor that they said wasn't the problem, a $35 charge to investigate the problem and my car was not put back to gether. Needless to say, I was furious at this point . I went ahead and told them to get the part in and call me when it was there and I would bring the car back to get it installed (as it took 7 months to take care of a waranty issue on another GM vehicle here). They will not order the part until I pay in advance the $319. I took the car and will not go back. My local mechanic thinks that it is the resistor and will look at the car tomorrow, if it is the $35 resistor the BBB is going to hear about the dealer scam. One thing I found was that there is an email address to Chevy that I have received more attention from than anywhere, you might give it a try. It is through www.mygmlink.com and the email address is:
[email protected]
I do not know if you have to be a registered user to send the email or not, but it is free to register and I have gotten better info there than from the dealer.

Hope this helps.

AW

[autoforum]

Anybody else with this problem?

[bermis519]

When your ignition goes out, and the car won't start, does the radio and all that stuff still come on or is the car completely dead??????? I haven't had this problem.....yet.....(knock on wood) but at the rate i'm going with mine, i'm sure it's bound to happen..

mike

[lkh1026]

Yes, the radio and everything still worked fine. Just the car wouldn't start - no turning of engine or anything....just "click" nothing...

[bizjet604]

Originally Posted by lkh1026

I am having a fight with Chevy trying to get them to investigate this ignition problems with the Impala's. Unless everyone who is having this problems contacts them at 800-222-1020 and speaks to a customer service rep (who will give you a Service Request number) we will end up paying the $1,000 or more to get this issue fixed! For letter righting - the address is:

Chevrolet Headquarters
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, Michigan 48232-5170

I called and explained that my car just won't start, the security light will sometimes come on and stay on, the doors will not unlock once the car is put into park and using the keyless entry the headlights do not flash once unlocked like they used to. All of these issues started the same time as the issue with the car not starting. My local dealer says it is an ignition switch at $225 and an ignition cylinder and coding at $375 and a fault in the body of the control module for the doors at $345. I am dropping it off today and will post whether this fixes it or whatever else they might do to the car when I get it back.

I have called Chevy and reported this problem, when they ask what I expect I have point blank (and stood my ground) told them that I want a response from Chevy as to why I, and so many other Impala owners, are having this problem. I have also said I want to know what has to be done to get a recall possibility looked into. Don't let them bully you on the phone - tell them you will get every Impala owner you can find to call and report this problem that is isn't right we are forced to pay $1000 (cost be over $200 to get the diagnosed listed above) to get a problem in a new(er) car repaired.

I need all other Impala owners to call and complain so maybe we can get something done about this cheap car! and I don't mean cheap as in what we paid for them.

Linda

I have also had 3 seperate instances in which the car would not do anything. I thought it might be some safety switch out of adjustment but from what I am reading here it is probably the passlock system. I haven't had any problems lately. All in all the car has been to the dealer for one thing or another (not routine maint.) 12x since new. Radio noise, fogging windshield, 2 dead batteries, transmission, warped discs, intermediate steering shaft, imsf repack, a water pump..... all before 50k!!!! I may be crazy but I still like the ride and the looks of the car.

[autoforum]

Yeah, what is it with us? We still love this car! I've got two Toyotas with over 100kmi each and no problems at all, but I'd still rather drive my Impala or my Buick Regal though they need much more baybsitting. Why are we like this? I don't know, but it must be comfort.

Anyway, reading through the posts it seems like so many people have the starting problem but everybody posts it separately. Calling Chevy seems to be the best solution so let's keep this post current and hopefully newbies will add their problem here instead of making a new post and then join us in calling Chevy.

[RenoSpyder]

I like these cars for rentals. They may not have all the comforts as the other Impalas, but I like the room and they can take a lot of luggage. I have to think about safety for myself and my coworkers, and I'd hate to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere where there's lousy cell service.

This issue reminds me of a near-death accident I witnessed because a vehicle would not start!! I was at a railroad crossing when the gaurds and lights went into action and the women driving a bronco ii was underneath one, sprang forward onto the tracks in front of me, panicked, slammed it into park which stalled it, had some kind of quick argument with her passengers and tried to start it. At this time, you could hear the train locking up and trying to stop. She tried to start it again, panicked, opened the door and ran across to the other side. The passanger in the front got out, but the passenger in the back couldn't get out through the seats. I watched the train smack the bronco and saw the guy in the back smack the inside of the vehicle where the train hit it. The train pushed the bronco down the tracks for about 100 feet before it stopped. The guy was unconcious, but alive. I talked to the shaking lady and she said her vehicle wouldn't start.

So there you have it! A great example of how important it is to have your vehicle start!!

And if you're wondering why chickens cross roads, it's because they don't get hit by cars that don't start!

Todd

[winterover]

I just had my ignition switch replaced to the tune of 400 bucks... My problem was that my climate controls, cruise control and overhead info center would work only intermitantly. They said there was a short in the ignition switch.

[curtis73]

I wish you all the best of luck. We 94-96 SS owners have complained about the OptiSpark for nearly 10 years and have received no satisfaction. Every GM owner from 1965 to 1974 complained about their points ignition to no avail. Keep your voices strong... they won't fix what you have, but 10 years from now they'll come out with something better. Its the GM way.

[red4runner]

My wife and I bought a 2000 Impala LS used back in 2001, the cars been back for the "igintion" problem where the dealer replace the ignition, seemed to work okay for awhile and within the last few months its not starting on a more frequent basis, since the car has 45000 with a 50000 mi warranty, the car will be back at the dealer again real soon.

[Master Tech Dude]

Hi Guys!

My shop also saw an Impala that wouldn't start. It was a 2003 base model built specifically for the local Police department. Because of the lack of us being able to reprogram the Body Control Module to the new ignition switch they had to take it back to the local Chevy dealer for the repair. I think the bill ended up being nearly $600.oo to the Police Dept.

I don't own an Impala yet but I hope GM gets this problem straightened out before too long.

I've said I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford...and so I was sort of glad that Bronco got munched on the railroad tracks...although I do hate that the passenger was injured.

By the way...I own a 17 year old VW and a 93 Honda Civic... neither of which have ever left us stranded, knock on wood, but I am working on a deal on a new Impala!...or possibly a new Accord.

I want an Impala but the wife just loves the new Hondas...what's a man to do?