Problems with 2000 Chevrolet Impala STEERING

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign numbers: 09e005000 (steering) and 08e063000 (steering). the failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that the steering wheel seized and an unknown flashing warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 195,795.

I have seen a lot of people say that their rack and pinion has broken and they have fix it and it has broken again. the rack and pinion on my car has broken. i dont feel very comfortable with driving this car at all. they told me that the tire is about to fall off. can you please get this fix. the car has been driving very well on the streets and highway. it has started to shake while i was on the highway. i made it home safe to be told that my rack and pinion had broke. i fear for my life if something would have happen as i was driving on the highway.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that while driving 20 mph and coming to a stop, the contact noticed that the steering wheel seized without warning. the vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 76,000.

Tl* the contact rented a 2000 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph during inclement weather, the vehicle skidded out of control to the left, the contact applied force to the steering wheel but it did not respond causing the contacts vehicle to be scraped on the left side from a guard rail. the contact stated that the vehicle then veered to the right and slightly went over a curb. the power steering warning light flashed when the failure occurred. the contact was able to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and was able to restart. the driver did not sustain any injuries and no medical attention. a police report was not filed. the rental company was notified of the power steering failure. the manufacturer was also notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

The car said engine power reduced. starting disabled and cut off. losing all control of brakes steering and acceleration. at this point i rearended another vehicle. *tr

I was heading to work i slowed to turn right on to the on ramp of the interstate, as i began my turn i lost all power the vehicle shut off, lights went dead and the brakes went out. i made it to the curb and vehicle would not restart.vehicle had to be towed home. i have checked all that could have caused the issue and have narrowed it down to the ignition switch, battery has been replaced even though it checked fine. starter is brand new. mass air sensor checks ok and cam and crank sensors check ok. i was lucky if i had been on the interstate i would have had no chance to recover from this failure. even though this vehicle is 14 years old this type of failure should not have happened. i have never carried more than the ignition key and key fob on the key ring as both my wife and i use the vehicle. *tr

Follow-up on complaint# 10650094. i have researched this problem,and tried to get assistance from gm with no results other that the run-around. i have explained that the recall of this vehicle and repair that is suggested is not the issue. the ignition is a 2 part switch and the mechanical part of the switch is only part of the problem. the issue in my case is that the electrical part of the switch is what controls the power, brakes, airbag, and all other functions. you need to look at the entire switch assembly. the electrical part is what failed. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. while driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 168,000.

I was pulling out of a parking lot and my vehicle suddenly shut off making me loose steering control and almost causing a bad accident. i managed to get the car to a stop and i restarted the ignition. i pulled off and sat in a lot for a few minutes. the next day i had the same problem while merging onto a main highway. *tr

I have a 2000 impala with approximately 161,000 miles on it. the car is used and i am the 2nd owner. i went to have my normal oil change as i had noticed the low engine oil pressure light had come on. the car had been running out of oil frequently, but i didn't see any oil leaks. the print out after the oil change stated multiple oil leaks. but there was never any oil on the ground. the car had been running very rough and was staring to run warmer than usual. not hot, but past the middle line on the temp gauge. and i had noticed a burning smell after driving, but never saw any smoke. this all started in april 2014 and has been ongoing. i've taken the car to a repair shop and nobody seems to know what's going on. now july 5,2014 i went to turn left and the steering wheel was extremely hard to turn. i had to put a lot of muscle into turning the wheel. i checked the power steering fluid and saw it was low so i topped it off. problem should have been fixed right? wrong. it got worse. i took it to a different repair shop and was told it was the tensioner pulley. o'er $100 later, the problem has gotten worse. when i turn left the wheel stays stuck and i have to jerk it back straight. thus is a safety hazard as i transport my family in this vehicle. since these problems stared the car eats a lot of gas. going 5 miles should not use almost a quarter tank of gas and the check engine light comes on and stays on at random times, during theses times the car eats a lot if gas. when the light is not on gas mileage is ok. this is very dangerous. *tr

Vehicle shuts off while driving... extremely dangerous to drive!! this has happened on multiple occasions. *tr

Loud noise from steering column whining noise heard throughout turning motion requires more effort from driver to steer vehicle on turns. *tr

My steering locks up when when turning mostly left but has done it while turning right also. why is there not a recall for this safety issue? *tr

I am having problems with the steering of my impala with low mileage. several years ago i was notified of a recall involved in the impala's steering and a part was replaced and during that time dealer also changed out the rack and pinion. i barely got my vehicle home on thursday and could have been in a very bad accident if i had not driven cautiously for the few yards i had to go. i could barely turn my steering wheel and the vehicle sounded so awful. i was very close to my home, so i slowly went a few yards. my steering was gone but some how i got my car parked safely at my apartment and the tow company had to tow it later. my mechanic just told me that the rack and pinion have failed and they were just replaced a few years ago and should not have done so with the little mileage my vehicle has. the rack had caused all the fluid to leak out. how can that be if it was good manufacture parts that were put in the steering. i am very angry that the company will not stand by their impalas and that they continue to be allowed to have vehicles that are unsafe. luckily i was almost home and did not get in an accident. *tr

I w also as driving into a shopping plaza and my steering wheel locked and my car steered across the entrance after a couple of minutes it started back up.i am so nervous because the steering wheel locked,also every now and then it just wont start up and then all of a sudden it will. the gas gauge doesn't work either so you cant judge the gas never received any recall notices i have a 2000 chevy impala. *tr

This has been an on going problem with the power steering unit in the 2000 impala, but this is the latest; on july 14 ,2010 i took the 2000 impala into the dealership because it was leaking fluid. ask the service dept. manager to fix it. he then diagnosed the car as oil sensor switch leakage. and he could not make repairs because they did not have the part, but the diagnose cost was $75.00 , so i paid and drove off with a leaking 2000 chevy impala . later,i notice that the service manager wrote the service order up as the customer said the vehicle was leaking oil. not true, i said fluid. the leak got worse. i replaced the oil sensor but the leakage did not stop. therefore, i park the car for several months. one day i raised the hood, took a small flashlight and traced the leak to two sever lines. the hard rubber flap that is mounted to the car body to keep debris out of engine rubs against two frame mounted lines until it cut through both lines. fluids leaks out and caused the power steering unit tofail. this is a design defect, should have been recalled for safety reason. dealership wants $135.00 to look at the car again, i took pictures. here is my partial complaint, can email pictures as well. *tr

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). the contact did not receive a recall notification and stated that the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall campaign. while driving 50 mph, the key position moved while it was in the ignition. the failure affected the engine, power steering, and the contact was unable to brake. as a result, the contact crashed head on into another vehicle. the driver's side and front passenger side air bags deployed. a police report was filed. the insurance company was notified and declared the vehicle destroyed. the driver sustained an extensive laceration when the driver's side air bag components projected from the steering wheel. the driver had continuous headaches and the injury required stitches. chevrolet of morristown (5320 west andrew johnson hwy, morristown, tn 37814, 423-408-2966) was notified and did not assist. the manufacturer suggested that the contact call a lawyer. the manufacturer was not initially notified of the crash, but was later contacted to report the failure. the failure mileage was not available.

Tl*the contact owns 2000 chevy impala ls. while driving 35 mph her steering wheel locked. the contact had to pull the steering wheel really hard and in order to gain control of it. the vehicle was taken to an independent dealer. the dealer then inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle needed a power steering pump and that there was an internal leak in the power steering hose. the contact had to rent a vehicle for four days while the dealer fixed the problem. the contact stated that there wasn't any noise when the failure occurred. the contact did report this to the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 67,255 and the current mileage is 67,355. updated 03/30/10. *lj

My 2000 impalas pass lock system stops the car from starting for up to 45 minutes at a time. i try to start the car and it wont turn over or do anything. it happens every time i try to start the car. it leaves my family stranded when we try to go places. what were to happen if there were an emergency? i'd be stranded. also the steering clunks alot when i turn. *tr

2000 impala . less than 50,000 miles. rack and pinion needs replacing. checking with other owners appears this is a common problem. no help from dealership. appears gmc continued to use a known defective unit for years. will not fix under warranty. *tr

The steering intermittently locks or is difficult to turn beyond a certain angle. it occurs most often when making a left turn. working the wheel back and forth usually loosens. several times i took it to mechanics, but they were unable to reproduce the problem. *tr

Car went out of control after driver put the car into gear to move it from a parked, idling position, after noticing a burning like odor. it was noted by the driver at that time that the temperature gauge was in the red zone. when the driver attempted to move the car to a safer parking area only a few feet in distance, she heard a sharp snapping sound and also felt a vibration in the steering wheel/column area. the car suddenly lurched forward, the head lights and dash lighting went completely out as the car began accelerating out of control. in addition, there was no steering or brake control. no work has been done yet to correct these problems because an insurance company is involved. *tr

I am continuously having steering problems with my 2000 chevy impala. i had the rack and pinion replaced 11/07 when i lost control of my car and could not turn. i almost went of the road from this. i then had to have the steering lubed for some knocking noise and vibration. here it is 2 years later and i am having the same problem again. knocking noise and vibration in steering when i turn left. i only have 106,000 miles on this car. when is it you will hold the company liable for an issue they have known about all along? how many deaths will it take? *tr

On thursday 01 nov 07 and monday 05 nov 07 my wife was making a left turn off a busy highway where we live. when she tried to turn the steering wheel left it locked or wouldn't move placing her in a dangerous situation of possibly being hit by on-coming traffic. i confirmed the steering wheeling locking when turning left only when i got home by driving the car and having it lock on me one time in a parking lot. i have seen a web site called www.direct.ca/trinity/gm-steering-probem.htm which has recorded over 250 u. s. complaints. it mentions police chevrolet impala steering can lock-up while driving at any speed and accidents have occurred. my power steering fluid is at correct level and car has higher mileage at around 148,000. we are putting a re-manufactured steering rack an pinion in this week to try and solve this problem as recommended by web letter. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that the front end of her vehicle vibrates severely. the tie rod ends, rack, transmission mounts, tires, intermediate shaft, and both axles have been replaced, but the vibration still persists. on march 6, 2009, the contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and paid $600 to have the vehicle repaired. the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. the manufacturer informed her to take the vehicle to another dealer for diagnostic testing, which would cost $88. the failure mileage was 125,000.

I am the original owner of a 2000 chevy impala with 85,000 miles. intermediate steering shaft fails every 20-25,000 miles. it has been replaced three times already, and is failing again. dealer admits it is a design flaw that affects all 2000-2005 design impala's. you know it is failing when you feel clunking and looseness in the steering at low speeds when cornering. i have talked with many other impala owners, and they have identical problems. costs $250 every time this part must be replaced. this is a significant safety concern when a critical steering component repeatedly fails. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while pulling out of the driveway on normal road conditions at 5 mph, the steering column locked and could not be pulled to turn. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who were currently examining the vehicle. no repairs were made.

Dt*: the contact stated while turning at various speeds, the steering column made a grinding noise and the steering wheel shook. the dealership determined the steering shaft needed to be replaced. the consumer declined to have the steering shaft replaced. updated 08/25/06. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle veered extremely to the right during right lane change. when vehicle was immediately pulled over, the front driver's side tire was observed to be loose and wobbly. the vehicle was inspected by a certified independent mechanic who determined that the powersteering rack weld broke from the frame and needed to be replaced. the dealer was alerted but refused to repair the defect under warrenty. the incident occurred at 50 mph on the highway during dry road conditions.*ak 08/02/06 updated. *tt

Intermediate shaft sticks and makes clunking sounds while driving. tsb suggested lubrication kit, that fix was not successful. replaced shaft, new shaft has developed same problem. the design appears flawed and possibly dangerous to have a steering component binding. to my knowledge there is no permanent fix for this and a new intermediate shaft with the same design is not a permanent solution. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph while applying brake pressure the steering column made a grinding noise. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. they determined the steering column needed to be lubricated or replaced however no repairs were made. the manufacturer was not alerted.

1. child climbed into front seat and pulled gear shift from park into neutral. 2. the gear shift lock malfunctioned or broke, and as a result the car rolled into the street and over the neighbor's mailbox. 3. contacting the dealership to get it fixed. *nm

Dt: the consumer stated while stopping at a red light a strange odor entered the vehicle followed by a loss of power steering. he managed to drive the vehicle to the dealer, where the dealer determined that vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. the dealer replaced the power steering fluid hose at the consumer expense. *ak the consumer was told the serpentine needed to be replaced. there was damage to the suspension. updated 01/11/06. *jb

Ever since i bought my car i have had problems with my whole power steering and suspension system. i have spent over $2000 dollars over the past two years fixing parts that relate to anything from the wheel bearing, rack & pinion, ball joints and now looks like my power steering is ready to go out. basically everything major on the front has failed. my warranty wouldn't cover because they said it's normal wear and tear. i feel it's a defect because it seems like the same things keep failing over and over. i really depend on my car to get to work and feel this is a matter that needs to be looked at a little more closer and taken seriously because from what i see, a lot of 2000 chevy impala owners have complained about the same thing. this leads me to believe that this is a problem that the dealers or the manufacturer should take care of and look a possible reimbursement for many customers that have had the same problems, thanks.*jb

Clunking noise in steering wheel

Dt: hard to steer. clunking, popping noise coming from front end. last year steering shaft replaced (intermediate steering shaft, 12/21/04). then in january problem started. feels like power steering comes and goes. *nm *nm

Dt: while driving and without warning the steering rod broke. weather was not a factor. dealer told caller they did not have a mechanic. later, the dealer told caller what was wrong with it, and caller's father said it looked like it had been welded before. manufacturer stated they could not do anything to help him. caller has not got the problem fixed yet. *ak

Steering shaft was replaced in august 2004 because of technical service bulletin (tsb) about binding. in march 2005 the steering shaft broke in half, causing a loss of control with steering of the vehicle. the defective part was replaced along with a new steering coil. the part was still binding and slipping as it was the first time when fixed in 2004. a diagnostic test was done in april 2005, and chevrolet told me it was my brakes. i took it to another dealer, and they said my brakes were fine. problem needed to be fixed before someone got hurt the next time it breaks. *ak

When turning the steering wheel in either direction a knocking noise was heard. the dealer stated that the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. *ak *bf *nm

I bought the car new and within 32000 miles you could feel a clunk in the steering column. the impala was driven under normal day to day usage and was properly maintained. took the car in for warranty work and was told they had to lube and replace a piece on the intermediate shaft of the steering. now at 81000 miles the same characteristics show up again! intermediate shaft on steering column starts with a clicking noise and through usage and time gets worse. you start feeling the click through the steering column and wheel at low speeds and when the brake is depressed while driving! i feel as an aircraft mechanic and in my professional opinion gm needs to be made to have a recall on all impala's produced from 2000 thru 2004. this clicking is a failure of the intermediate shaft and other steering components associated it and will lead to subsequent failure and accident in this vehicle. *nm

The steering wheel locks up when the vehicle is making turns which increases the risk of a crash. taken to dealer for check up, and results showed that a gear in the steering box needed to be replaced.*ak. the power steering stops working during turns. sometimes it didn't work at all, other times, it worked when starting a turn the stopped part way through the turn. a small person would have a problem turning the vehicle. took vehicle to used car dealer, and mechanic advised him that a gear in the steering box went bad, and put a new steering box in. *ak

The rack and pinion steering assembly failure. rack and pinion leaked and has been serviced and still has problems. *bf the low tire pressure light had come on and there was a rattling noise coming from the right front wheel while the vehicle was in motion. *sc *jb

A 'clunk' with associate 'looseness' in the steering of our 2000 impala is noted. our research indicates that many owners of similar models who experienced this occurrence and, by some dealers, was corrected by replacement of the intermediate steering shaft. we are concerned that we have a problematic steering assembly and do not know if this can lead to failure or not.*ak

Steering wheel locked up while driving. consumer pulled over, turned off the vehicle and restarted. consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak

The consumer was having a problem with the intermediate steering shaft. the consumer received a recall notice on the manifold. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and had the fuel system checked and was charged 124.85. provide further details. *jb

Intermediate steering shaft knocking on applying the brakes, accelerating and making a turn.

At any speed my power steering started to fail intermittently, with any specific warning. this has occurred 4 times in the last 7 days, luckily no one was hurt but the last time i did go off the road and immediately brought it to my dealership. they contend they have not found any problem, and that the diagnostics do not show any issue.

Dealership on 08/13/2001 replaced the cradle. vehicle was under warranty in november 2001, and dealer replaced shaft. cradle failed 2 years later, and needed to be replaced again, also, had a steering problem.*ak

On july 4, 2003 my 2000 chevrolet impala was lubed at the chevrolet dealership because of steering issues. the car would vibrate, pop, and jerk when accelerating, slowing down or making turns and steering becomes very tight and difficult to turn. it took 3 separate visits to the dealership before they discovered what they thought was the source of the problem. i have several children and i am greatly concerned about our safety. i do not know what else to do because this seems to be a recurring problem with many 2000 impalas. i did a lot of reseach and found other complaints on your site due to the same issue, as well as complaints on www.impalahq.com. i've also read issues where some police departments are using this same model and they have reported accidents due to steering lost, which seems to be related to the intermediate steering shaft issues. the last steering shaft lube was 11 months ago and cost me $140. looks like i will have to have this service done every 10-12 months to keep this car from loosing steering. i can not put a price on the safety of my children, but i can inform other and hope chevy will find a solution to this problem quickly. *ak