8th Jun 2009, 18:38
It's not a Suzuki to start with - the Epicrap is a Daewoo design pressed into service as either a Chevy, Holden or Suzuki depending on where in the world you are.
A rose by any other name...
10th Apr 2010, 10:14
I have an '04 Epica. The key and transmission locked up. CAA freed it and I took it to Canadian Tire. It cost me about $150 for them to check it, and say they lubricated the key mechanism (cheaper than $400 - $700 to replace). 3 weeks now and still working fine. If the Cdn Tire mechanic is right, he sure was smart.
Now, suddenly, the ABS and TCS light are on. I am going to continue to drive because I believe the car is safe, I just don't have use of those systems. However from reading other comments about this problem, I wonder whether it is a sensor problem or a system problem. Any comments anyone?
15th Apr 2010, 09:57
To the previous poster, I have the same ABS and TCS lights coming on. At first the lights would come on after driving a bit, but now they just stay on. I'm scared to take it in for a check, as who knows what that's going to cost.
16th Apr 2010, 06:12
I also own a 2004 Epica, and have had all the same problems and more mentioned in the comment report.
I liked the idea that as Epica owners we all get together to form a coalition, and force the so called General Motors to help us with the same problems this piece of junk they call a car is having. By today's standards, it should never carried the Chev emblem.
21st Apr 2010, 20:55
Thank you everyone. We were looking at buying an Epica, but having read all your comments... NOT A CHANCE!
Keep on driving (which with this car, may prove tricky!)
X.
2nd May 2010, 11:06
I live in Manitoba. I've had the same problems as mentioned. I purchased my 04 Epica new. It was great at first, however, after approx. 70,000km things started going wrong. I took it to the dealer many times, but nothing has been repaired. I have always been a GM person, but I doubt that I would buy another one.
5th May 2010, 01:58
To the comments about the ABS and TCS lights, I had one of the front hub assembly replaced at a GM dealership light hasn't come back on since. (Cambridge, ON)
5th May 2010, 02:02
I'm also having a problem with my radio controls on the steering wheel, maybe someone else is having the same problems, how can it get fixed? Or should I ask, can it even be fixed?
7th May 2010, 01:02
I have a 2004 Epica; it gets wet and the check engine light comes on. How do I fix it? Can someone help?
2nd Jun 2010, 19:36
I also have the check engine light issue. I have been driving with it on for the last year with no complications. But whenever I put in gas, even to only halfway, it has trouble starting and takes a minute or two to start. Also, it is sluggish for the first 10 minutes of driving after filling it up. Hope I don't have to cross a busy intersection! Sorry Winnipeg, if you see a red Epica sitting in the middle of the road with a guy who is pounding his foot repeatedly to the pedal and going nowhere, that's me. Going to change my sparkplugs today, but it sounds like its probably my O2 sensor or computer issues.
20th Jun 2010, 19:34
I forgot to mention in my review that I also have trouble with my key in the ignition. Sometimes it sticks, and I can't get it to turn over and the key won't even come out! I find this very frustrating, like the time it happened one morning when I was getting out of the car to go to work.
My lights collect moisture also, and I am sick and tired of the check engine light coming on just about every month.
For all the costs I have spent on my 2004 Epica LT, I could have bought a more reliable car.
22nd Jun 2010, 14:48
I too own a 2004 Epica LT, bought new in 05 because it seemed like an incredible deal for a loaded V6.
Just before the warranty ran out, I bought an extended warranty for about 2 grand, which has paid for itself 3 or 4 times over.
I have had all of the problems in this list; sticky ignition key (cylinder replaced), foggy headlamps, and repeated trips to the dealer for check engine light, rough running, culminating in a complete engine rebuild just before the extended warranty expired (6 grand plus).
3 months later, it's still doing it, check engine, rough running. Every few weeks it seems one or more coils go, have replaced all 6 twice now.
My mechanic seems to think that the design of the engine compartment lends to overheating; the engine cover traps the heat, which causes coils to burn out. He now tells me that after digging deep, the wiring harness seems to have melted, which may be the cause of the missing and rough running, and causing shorts in the system. Don't know why GM never found this, as the problems have been recurring over the last 70,000 km, and the car has been in and out of the dealer at least a dozen times for similar symptoms.
Going to try to trade it in, but doubt that I will get much. Car is nice when it runs, but did not turn out to be the bargain it appeared. If you are thinking of buying one, don't.
10th Jul 2010, 10:49
I also have an '04 Epica LT. Very good looking car, and loved the inside of it when I bought it!! But it's an extreme pain in the butt!
I too have had all these problems! When my traction control light (TCS) stayed on, even right after starting the car, that's when I needed new wheel bearings (both sides).
I've had the ignition cylinder replaced, all new routers, brakes, wheel bearings, and struts.
Parts for the car, are either double (sometimes triple) the price than other cars; and when I end up actually finding some place that has my desired part, I need to have it shipped in.
I've driving across the country and back with it, and tried using that as an excuse for why I'm having all the problems.
But as of recently, a bearing on the crank shaft inside the engine has broken, so I need either a new engine or spend the same amount to get it fixed!! While at the mechanic shop, the guy working on the car kept complaining about how he hates Epicas, and the last one he worked on... also had the same problem and the engine eventually blew on it.
Daewoo, the company that Chevrolet bought this car from, doesn't even make many cars! They made industrial vehicles!! I think they put way too much thought into trying to make a car, with a strong engine (I6 or Inline 6, not V6)... that they overlooked WAY too much!! They should've kept making tractors and forklifts, instead of trying cars! And Chevy, don't know what you were thinking, and you should've probably done some research first, but I still love ya!
I'm sure some of you would probably just sell me your engine for cheap, now that you know about the car, but I'm not convinced yet that I even want to fix it!!! Good luck to all of you, and I'm gonna miss my sexy car!
8th Jun 2009, 14:31
I purchased my 2004 Chev Epic brand new. Initially I was very impressed with the style, ride and handling of the vehicle (it has better handling with the 16 inch wheels), and for the money it had many options and appeared to be good value.
However after four years and 65,000km, I now have mixed emotions about the car and its purchase value.
I have spent more than $1800.00 on the car; after only 35000km everything started to go wrong. All O2 sensors were replaced; symptom was stalling and rough idle, headlights quit would only operate on DLR lights, now it's starting to leak oil and 65k engine light comes on quite often. Should not have to had this amount of repair in such low mileage.
GM should never have taken on this Suzuki brand of Korean cars without doing extensive homework before they put the Chev badge on the car. I like the car; I don't like the cost I have paid for the daily operation.
I now need a brake job and new tires, which I feel should have been the only expense had the car initially been good to begin with.
Norm.