2000 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.8L V6 from North America
Summary:
What's wrong with it?
Faults:
The car just shuts off while driving down the road.
The dash and gauge lights are on the lightest setting, and will not increase in brightness.
Steering is tight at low speeds.
General Comments:
Nice ride, good power, comfortable, roomy.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 3rd April, 2011
4th Apr 2011, 19:16
I own two Impalas. Both have had problems with the rack and pinion steering gear. On one they have replaced the rack and pinion steering gear unit three times in 30,000 miles. The steering is hard at low speeds and turning in parking lots.
The car is a piece of junk, and is the last GM car I will ever buy.
On my second Impala, they replaced the infamous intermediate steering shaft, and then a lower column bearing on the steering unit. After they fixed these two items, they now say I need a new rack and pinion steering gear on my second Impala too.
A friend of mine is a ASE certified mechanic, and he tells me I should have bought a FORD Crown Victoria instead, because the Impala has a poorly designed steering gear unit that is prone to problems.
There is also a power steering fluid hose that goes from the power steering pump into the rack and pinion steering unit. The hose is prone to have breakage at the connector, and the fluid then leaks out. Later Impala's were recalled for this problem, but GM did not have to recall the 2000 thru 2005 models to fix this defect. Rack and pinion steering gear unit repair and replacement on these cars can run from $1,200.00 to $1,400.00; not a cheap repair.
3rd Apr 2011, 15:23
Sounds like the alternator to me.