2000 & 2001 Chevy Impala & Chevrolet. 3 Lemons in one Subject.
Question:
>Thanks, >I do have the power door. It’s rained almost everyday here in VA this >summer, so I will check it tomorrow. Is there a known fix? Can DIYer take >care of it? or is it best left to the shop?
I don’t know that there really is a known fix or even a *known* problem. But I’ve now seen it twice, and it seems because there’s nothing really *defective* short of an odd design, it would be a common problem. I think at this time a tech either in the dealer or a private one will just try to come up with something imaginative to fix it. Here they’ve put some sort of rubber caulk type compound around the hole and it seemed to do the trick. If you’re still under warranty, your best bet is to just bring it in and let GM foot the bill. Wojo
Response:
Wojo, checked the compartment. No sign of any leaks! I would have taken that as a bad omen after my leaky Jeep experience. I will continue to keep an eye on it just in case. Thanks again, "Chuck"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks, >I do have the power door. It’s rained almost everyday here in VA this >summer, so I will check it tomorrow. Is there a known fix? Can DIYer take >care of it? or is it best left to the shop? > I don’t know that there really is a known fix or even a *known* > problem. But I’ve now seen it twice, and it seems because there’s > nothing really *defective* short of an odd design, it would be a > common problem. I think at this time a tech either in the dealer or a > private one will just try to come up with something imaginative to fix > it. Here they’ve put some sort of rubber caulk type compound around > the hole and it seemed to do the trick. > If you’re still under warranty, your best bet is to just bring it in > and let GM foot the bill. > Wojo
Response:
Here is my long and sad story about everything that a dealer, manufacturer and everyone in between can do to make a customer feel like junk. I had a 2000 Impala. I had every service bulletin there was, a few were probably first discovered on my car! (I don’t really know). The undercarriage, the autotrac cables, the warped rotors, I’ve had them all. They lemoned it, made me pay $5000 and gave me a 2001 Chevy Impala Lemon. It is currently in the shop. Want to know more about this painful saga?? Check out http://www.execpc.com/~thor101/impala Unfortunatly, it is all true. If anything… If you hear of someone going to buy a used 2000 Galaxy Silver Impala with all the options (except leather) check the VIN number on the page to make sure they aren’t getting my old car. –Brett M. Thorson I hated them so much, I bought two!
Response:
What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first and won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you are dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing anyone out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it happens…..
Response:
Dude, that’s gotta suck. Hope you get some help with that. But, don’t let this bad experience turn you away from the General. Trust me, FoMoCo has nothing better. The new Taurus is a sharp looking car, but it’s got engine problems. A friend of mine works in a Fixed Or Repaired Daily shop, and they have LOTS of problems with them. Go check out a Grand Prix GT, or an Olds Intrigue. Joe
Response:
Brett: That’s a horrible story but it sounds just like GM. I have a 99 GMC Sierra that is a piece of crap also. It has been in the shop for 42 straight days now..I have an attorney who is envoking the Mississippi lemon law. It requires GM to reimburse legal expenses…so they get their truck back and more! Any way I feel for you and want to help…I would like to add alink from my site. I am just posting GM full size truck stories..but I think it would be great to start another set of page for other GM lemons. Let me know if that’s OK…take a look at the web site. And above all else..Good Luck, Clay Hodges <http://drive.to/agmlemon> Before you buy.
Response:
Just a question, you mentioned on the page that you had problems the FIRST time you went in for service. You also said there was another Chevy dealer close by. Why not go to the other dealer for service in the first place? Warranty work doesn’t HAVE to be done at dealer of original purchase, only at a Chevy dealer… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Here is my long and sad story about everything that a dealer, > manufacturer and everyone in between can do to make a customer feel like > junk. > I had a 2000 Impala. I had every service bulletin there was, a few were > probably first discovered on my car! (I don’t really know). The > undercarriage, the autotrac cables, the warped rotors, I’ve had them > all. > They lemoned it, made me pay $5000 and gave me a 2001 Chevy Impala > Lemon. > It is currently in the shop. Want to know more about this painful > saga?? > Check out > http://www.execpc.com/~thor101/impala > Unfortunatly, it is all true. > If anything… If you hear of someone going to buy a used 2000 Galaxy > Silver Impala with all the options (except leather) check the VIN number > on the page to make sure they aren’t getting my old car. > –Brett M. Thorson > I hated them so much, I bought two!
Response:
> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first and > won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made > by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you are > dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get > me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing anyone > out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at > this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it > happens…..
Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a place to express their concern. Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first >and > won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made > by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you >are > dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get > me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing >anyone > out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at > this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it > happens….. >Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I >would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them >Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. >Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a >place to express their concern. >Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see
Sounds like a threat 
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Here is my long and sad story about everything that a dealer, >manufacturer and everyone in between can do to make a customer feel like >junk. >I had a 2000 Impala. I had every service bulletin there was, a few were >probably first discovered on my car! (I don’t really know). The >undercarriage, the autotrac cables, the warped rotors, I’ve had them >all. >They lemoned it, made me pay $5000 and gave me a 2001 Chevy Impala >Lemon. >It is currently in the shop. Want to know more about this painful >saga?? >Check out >http://www.execpc.com/~thor101/impala >Unfortunatly, it is all true. >If anything… If you hear of someone going to buy a used 2000 Galaxy >Silver Impala with all the options (except leather) check the VIN number >on the page to make sure they aren’t getting my old car.
I hate hearing about stuff like this. The Impala, generally speaking, is a good car. You mentioned warped rotors and I feel that the brakes on the new Impala’s are the best brakes on any vehicle in it’s range. I haven’t looked at your website as I don’t have time right now so I’m not sure what problems you’ve had with the dealer/manufacturer. The fact that it WAS lemoned leads me to believe they must have been trying to help you as lemoning a car is not an easy process. Incidentally, I noted your web address is at execpc. Are you in Wisconsin? I’m curious because I am as well and currently trying to help a customer with a lemon problem and I’d like to hear more about your experiences in Wis. If this is all on the site, please disregard that. :) Wojo
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first >and > won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made > by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you >are > dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get > me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing >anyone > out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at > this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it > happens….. >Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I >would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them >Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. >Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a >place to express their concern. >Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see
I agree with this with one exception. There are lemons in EVERY vehicle make and model on the market. Every single one. The problem I have with the lemon sites, stories, is that they warn people off a car that is otherwise reliable. Almost everyone agrees that the Silverado is a great truck. They had some vibration problems and GM has finally gotten a kit that fixes this. The other problems are sporadic at best. Yet I’m currently helping a gentleman who purchased a 2000 Silverado in Nov. of 99. He has had nothing but problems with this truck and it is being considered a lemon. He’s replacing it with another Silverado because generally speaking that is a good truck. What he’s NOT doing is going around telling everyone not to buy Silverado’s because of his experience, and he’s NOT telling everyone what a crap-pot the dealer or the manufacturer is being (even though the manufacturer IS making it a bit tougher than it should have to be). I think people who have awful experiences at a business should tell everyone about it, and give people the information in that regard. If a dealership mistreats a customer and doesn’t make up for it in a fair way the customer should use a megaphone and tell as many people as they can. This is the only way to eliminate the problems that are in this industry. But don’t say that all Impala’s are bad, because it’s simply untrue. Wojo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
>Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see > Sounds like a threat
What, that he’ll eventually get a lemon? If he buys new cars, that’s not a threat, it’s fact. It happens to almost everyone, though your odds are much better now than, say, the 70’s/80’s. :-) Rich
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first >and >> won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made >> by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you >are >> dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get >> me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing >anyone >> out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at >> this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it >> happens….. >Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I >would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them >Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. >Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a >place to express their concern. >Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see > Sounds like a threat
This is absolutly not a threat !!! but a fact of life It’s amazing how the big company couldn’t careless about their customer. I do not know for you,but when I spend $30000.00 I expect to drive a car ,well build,at least for 3 years without any major problem. Maybe I’m asking too much ? One way or the other, one day, you are going to be the fish on the hook. And they pretty well know how to drown the fish…
Response:
Lemon,they are not all lemon,but when a car like let say the Malibu for the years 97/98/99 have numerous post regarding brake ,control arm ,rear suspension,and AC problem,I’m not calling that a lemon.This just a car badly designed.When I bought my 97,I can tell you that ALL the problem experienced with this car were similar to the one reported on Edmund’s in the malibu conference by others owner..This is not a coincidence.The problem are maybe fixed now,but how many s……r like me spend lots of money for that piece of junk. Don’t get me wrong ,this is happening in all make of car to build a lemon, let say that the car builder,and the customer were not`t lucky that day. But why on earth the customer is always the one who have to fight and to loose. Why do we have to fight….
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first >and >> won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made >> by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you >are >> dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get >> me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing >anyone >> out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at >> this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it >> happens….. >Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I >would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them >Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. >Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a >place to express their concern. >Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see > I agree with this with one exception. There are lemons in EVERY > vehicle make and model on the market. Every single one. The problem > I have with the lemon sites, stories, is that they warn people off a > car that is otherwise reliable. > Almost everyone agrees that the Silverado is a great truck. They had > some vibration problems and GM has finally gotten a kit that fixes > this. The other problems are sporadic at best. Yet I’m currently > helping a gentleman who purchased a 2000 Silverado in Nov. of 99. He > has had nothing but problems with this truck and it is being > considered a lemon. He’s replacing it with another Silverado because > generally speaking that is a good truck. > What he’s NOT doing is going around telling everyone not to buy > Silverado’s because of his experience, and he’s NOT telling everyone > what a crap-pot the dealer or the manufacturer is being (even though > the manufacturer IS making it a bit tougher than it should have to > be). > I think people who have awful experiences at a business should tell > everyone about it, and give people the information in that regard. If > a dealership mistreats a customer and doesn’t make up for it in a fair > way the customer should use a megaphone and tell as many people as > they can. This is the only way to eliminate the problems that are in > this industry. But don’t say that all Impala’s are bad, because it’s > simply untrue. > Wojo
Response:
Wojo, I agree. I just purchased a 2000 Venture LS last April and have had no real problems. I’m sure there will be some minor things that will wait a while before I take it in and make it worth my while, but at the moment with 7000 miles on it I have no complaints. As a matter of fact I had such a good experience with the van and the dealer I did something I have never done for ANY product before; I wrote a letter to the dealership about our salesperson, Anne Bryant of Sterling Chevrolet, and the Venture. When the time came to rate the experience on the nice little form from GM I sent it back to GM with very good marks and a copy of the letter. (I am a hard nose I won’t be jerked around.) I mention this because I know first hand that anyone can receive a "lemon". I had a 95 Jeep Cherokee that didn’t know that the rain was supposed to stay on the outside and not on its floor. It leaked in some fashion from day one and when it was finally fixed a year later the windshield had to be replaced and the whole thing would start over again (rocks and rock salt loved me). I am sure I could have made a case for a lemon here in VA, but the law here costs the consumer a bundle. Bottom line is that when there is a legitimate problem everyone should constructively complain, however when things are done right go just as far with the praise. And if you’re a dealer, be honest, go the extra mile, because word of mouth is still the best advertisement you don’t have to "buy". Good luck all. "Chuck"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> What is it with all these sites about lemons??? Yours aren’t the first >and >> won’t be the last, so what’s the big deal??? These pieces of art are made >> by people who are no better than anyone else, so deal with the card you >are >> dealt and don’t expect perfection. This is not news to anyone. Don’t get >> me wrong what you’ve been through sucks and all, and I am not chewing >anyone >> out over buying something that is either redesigned or lacks a record (at >> this moment), but quit it with the crying game, please!?!?!! **it >> happens….. >Yeah right,and because we all know that happenned we have to remain quiet. I >would like to pay these big company cash,with phony money,and to tell them >Bah ! that happen sometimes too bad for you…. >Lemon site are good extremely good,finally the little `guys like us have a >place to express their concern. >Wait,one day this is going to happen to you and youll see > I agree with this with one exception. There are lemons in EVERY > vehicle make and model on the market. Every single one. The problem > I have with the lemon sites, stories, is that they warn people off a > car that is otherwise reliable. > Almost everyone agrees that the Silverado is a great truck. They had > some vibration problems and GM has finally gotten a kit that fixes > this. The other problems are sporadic at best. Yet I’m currently > helping a gentleman who purchased a 2000 Silverado in Nov. of 99. He > has had nothing but problems with this truck and it is being > considered a lemon. He’s replacing it with another Silverado because > generally speaking that is a good truck. > What he’s NOT doing is going around telling everyone not to buy > Silverado’s because of his experience, and he’s NOT telling everyone > what a crap-pot the dealer or the manufacturer is being (even though > the manufacturer IS making it a bit tougher than it should have to > be). > I think people who have awful experiences at a business should tell > everyone about it, and give people the information in that regard. If > a dealership mistreats a customer and doesn’t make up for it in a fair > way the customer should use a megaphone and tell as many people as > they can. This is the only way to eliminate the problems that are in > this industry. But don’t say that all Impala’s are bad, because it’s > simply untrue. > Wojo
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Wojo, >I agree. I just purchased a 2000 Venture LS last April and have had no real >problems. I’m sure there will be some minor things that will wait a while >before I take it in and make it worth my while, but at the moment with 7000 >miles on it I have no complaints. As a matter of fact I had such a good >experience with the van and the dealer I did something I have never done for >ANY product before; I wrote a letter to the dealership about our >salesperson, Anne Bryant of Sterling Chevrolet, and the Venture. When the >time came to rate the experience on the nice little form from GM I sent it >back to GM with very good marks and a copy of the letter. (I am a hard nose >I won’t be jerked around.) >I mention this because I know first hand that anyone can receive a "lemon". >I had a 95 Jeep Cherokee that didn’t know that the rain was supposed to stay >on the outside and not on its floor. It leaked in some fashion from day one >and when it was finally fixed a year later the windshield had to be replaced >and the whole thing would start over again (rocks and rock salt loved me). >I am sure I could have made a case for a lemon here in VA, but the law here >costs the consumer a bundle. Bottom line is that when there is a legitimate >problem everyone should constructively complain, however when things are >done right go just as far with the praise. And if you’re a dealer, be >honest, go the extra mile, because word of mouth is still the best >advertisement you don’t have to "buy". >Good luck all.
Well said Chuck. I think Brett Thorson (who started this thread) has done a commendable job of doing just that. He’s had far too many problems with his Impala, and even though he won’t recommend the vehicle to people, his main complaint is with GM customer service, and he makes that clear. I hope anyone who has similar problems makes this clear so that the problems of the small will affect the actions of the huge. On a side note…you have a venture and also had leakage problems with a Cherokee (fortunately that was all 
The one problem I’ve seen with the Venture (and it’s pretty intermittent) is leakage from the power door, if you have it. You may want to check the enclosed rear compartment on the passenger side next time it rains. It’s something you may not notice until you need that compartment, so it’s worth while checking out while under warranty. It seems the hole that the cord for the power door is threaded to has a tendency to leak. Wojo
Response:
>Well, Wojo, if he lives up here in the NE he won’t have to wait long to find out >if it leaks. Our lawns up here have NEVER stayed green through July without >heavy watering which happened to be restricted, this year they stayed green and >we didn’t have to water…
I know the feeling dude. We’ve had so much rain in Wisconsin that there are rivers where none were intended to be. Wojo
Response:
Well, Wojo, if he lives up here in the NE he won’t have to wait long to find out if it leaks. Our lawns up here have NEVER stayed green through July without heavy watering which happened to be restricted, this year they stayed green and we didn’t have to water… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Wojo, >I agree. I just purchased a 2000 Venture LS last April and have had no real >problems. I’m sure there will be some minor things that will wait a while >before I take it in and make it worth my while, but at the moment with 7000 >miles on it I have no complaints. As a matter of fact I had such a good >experience with the van and the dealer I did something I have never done for >ANY product before; I wrote a letter to the dealership about our >salesperson, Anne Bryant of Sterling Chevrolet, and the Venture. When the >time came to rate the experience on the nice little form from GM I sent it >back to GM with very good marks and a copy of the letter. (I am a hard nose >I won’t be jerked around.) >I mention this because I know first hand that anyone can receive a "lemon". >I had a 95 Jeep Cherokee that didn’t know that the rain was supposed to stay >on the outside and not on its floor. It leaked in some fashion from day one >and when it was finally fixed a year later the windshield had to be replaced >and the whole thing would start over again (rocks and rock salt loved me). >I am sure I could have made a case for a lemon here in VA, but the law here >costs the consumer a bundle. Bottom line is that when there is a legitimate >problem everyone should constructively complain, however when things are >done right go just as far with the praise. And if you’re a dealer, be >honest, go the extra mile, because word of mouth is still the best >advertisement you don’t have to "buy". >Good luck all. > Well said Chuck. I think Brett Thorson (who started this thread) has > done a commendable job of doing just that. He’s had far too many > problems with his Impala, and even though he won’t recommend the > vehicle to people, his main complaint is with GM customer service, and > he makes that clear. I hope anyone who has similar problems makes > this clear so that the problems of the small will affect the actions > of the huge. > On a side note…you have a venture and also had leakage problems with > a Cherokee (fortunately that was all The one problem I’ve seen > with the Venture (and it’s pretty intermittent) is leakage from the > power door, if you have it. You may want to check the enclosed rear > compartment on the passenger side next time it rains. It’s something > you may not notice until you need that compartment, so it’s worth > while checking out while under warranty. It seems the hole that the > cord for the power door is threaded to has a tendency to leak. > Wojo
Response:
Thanks, I do have the power door. It’s rained almost everyday here in VA this summer, so I will check it tomorrow. Is there a known fix? Can DIYer take care of it? or is it best left to the shop? "Chuck"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Wojo, >I agree. I just purchased a 2000 Venture LS last April and have had no real >problems. I’m sure there will be some minor things that will wait a while >before I take it in and make it worth my while, but at the moment with 7000 >miles on it I have no complaints. As a matter of fact I had such a good >experience with the van and the dealer I did something I have never done for >ANY product before; I wrote a letter to the dealership about our >salesperson, Anne Bryant of Sterling Chevrolet, and the Venture. When the >time came to rate the experience on the nice little form from GM I sent it >back to GM with very good marks and a copy of the letter. (I am a hard nose >I won’t be jerked around.) >I mention this because I know first hand that anyone can receive a "lemon". >I had a 95 Jeep Cherokee that didn’t know that the rain was supposed to stay >on the outside and not on its floor. It leaked in some fashion from day one >and when it was finally fixed a year later the windshield had to be replaced >and the whole thing would start over again (rocks and rock salt loved me). >I am sure I could have made a case for a lemon here in VA, but the law here >costs the consumer a bundle. Bottom line is that when there is a legitimate >problem everyone should constructively complain, however when things are >done right go just as far with the praise. And if you’re a dealer, be >honest, go the extra mile, because word of mouth is still the best >advertisement you don’t have to "buy". >Good luck all. > Well said Chuck. I think Brett Thorson (who started this thread) has > done a commendable job of doing just that. He’s had far too many > problems with his Impala, and even though he won’t recommend the > vehicle to people, his main complaint is with GM customer service, and > he makes that clear. I hope anyone who has similar problems makes > this clear so that the problems of the small will affect the actions > of the huge. > On a side note…you have a venture and also had leakage problems with > a Cherokee (fortunately that was all The one problem I’ve seen > with the Venture (and it’s pretty intermittent) is leakage from the > power door, if you have it. You may want to check the enclosed rear > compartment on the passenger side next time it rains. It’s something > you may not notice until you need that compartment, so it’s worth > while checking out while under warranty. It seems the hole that the > cord for the power door is threaded to has a tendency to leak. > Wojo
