Chevrolet Impala Transmission Problems

the_judge_1970 · August 2010

I have a 2003 impala ls the car drives fine but when at highway speeds if you step on the gas the check engine light comes on and the car will not shift out of second gear. I have no idea whats wrong with it.

Mr_Shiftright · August 2010

That's what the engine light is for---to give you a code, and from there, a direction for your further investigation.

nails04 · August 2010

hi i have a 04 impala and haveing problems with the tranny, i see alot of people are haveing the same problem, any one out there can give me some help on my car problem.

swilleford · August 2010

If this has already been answered I apologize. I have a 2001 Impala with a 4 speed auto transmission (either 4T60 or 4T65). I need to replace the torque converter clutch solenoid. Without much room to maneuver, i have the side pan off and have located on of the solenoids, possibly the 1-2 or 3-4 but I'm unsure of the exact location of the one I am looking for. Does someone have a schematic/diagram or have an exact location of this part. Thanks.

Mr_Shiftright · August 2010

Isn't there only one, with a wiring harness attached to it? --sort of round with the connector coming off it at a right angle?

vytate · October 2010

I have a 2007 Chevy Impala LT 3.5 L engine (127,000 miles). Recently, when I place foot on accelerator, the car will jolt forward and then within a few minutes it loses acceleration and starts dragging. This also occurs when I am on the expressway and then I start to lose acceleration and have pulled over in the emergency lane to recover ( I get back on the road and continue and it may or may not occur again.) I took it to a local dealership to get a transmission flush. I explained what was happening and he did an off the record quick diagnostic. He said it was the transmission and it would be about $3,000 to repair and said the flush would not remedy the situation. Considered trading in. After reading Bulletin #06-07-30-023C, it appears that it was describing the exact problem that I am having. Has anyone taken their car to the dealership for repair under this bulletin and it costs this much? :sick:

Mr_Shiftright · October 2010

It actually doesn't sound like your symptom, unless I'm not reading you right:

It says:

"Some customers may comment on a 1-2 shift shudder at light to moderate acceleration. Typically, the throttle plate angle parameter is 12-20% at time of condition with vehicle speed of approximately 24-40 km/h (15-25 mph). The customer may describe the condition as slip or delayed shift into second."

toni19 · October 2010

I just bought my Impala from Tousley Ford in September. It's been in the shop longer than in my possession. Initially, the car would lurch from a stop going into 1-2 gear. They got that fixed by replacing some parts in the tranny. Well, I get the car back and have it for ONE DAY when this happens. I leave work, head to gas station, make a sharp right turn to get to the pump and I hear a loud snap, the car acts as if its in neutral when it's in drive .....so I gas up the car start it again, put it in drive and no go...step on gas and acts as if its in neutral. I have towing co. bring car back to Tousley and it sits overnight. Here is the kicker, Tousley starts it up the next morning and the car drives like its a champion. They drove it all day yesterday, tested it, all good under the hood they say. Now they want to give me the car back and I just know it's gonna happen to me again. What the heck am I going to do?? Please help if you can.

kelly58 · October 2010

My 04 Impala was purchased used with a supplemental drive train warranty. I brought the vehicle to the dealership 3 times for skipping, jerking and labored shifting each time when the vehicle was returned to me I was assured the problem was repaired only to have it resurface a few weeks later each time. I have contacted GM directly and they have refused to repair the vehicle because the extended warranty has since expired. I have sent a complaint to my local Better Business Bureau and encourage anyone else who is not getting satisfaction from their respective repairs. These incidents are not isolated and we need to be heard.

toni19 · October 2010

Hi Kelly,

Are you in Minnesota? I contacted a lemon law lawyer here in MN. and they will not get back to me. I am frustrated that car dealerships can tell you alot of lies and send you off w/a car that has major problems.

kelly58 · October 2010

I have the same problem with my Impala, and I try to borrow other peoples vehicles while my shiny car sits in the driveway as I make payments on it. I have brought to the dealership 3 times without satisfaction. I have contacted GM directly and they too fain ignorance to the obvious flaws. Have filed complaint with the better business bureau and urge you to do the same. Big companies hate bad publicity.

kelly58 · October 2010

I am in Ma. and each time the dealers band-aided the problem to shut me up. I think that they were just adding additives to soften the shifting. I have done everything possible to resolve this issue with the dealer and finally with GM headquarters with no resolution. they told me my car was old and the miles were too high. 86k mi. any other car i have had this is merely middleaged. fight back toni contact your local BBB online takes all of 5 minutes to file a compaint and GM will contact you directly. Be a squeaky wheel they should not be allowed to sell vehicles that wont survive the payments.

toni19 · October 2010

When I first got my car, I noticed it would jump when I was stopped and start going again. I brought the car in and they replaced the valve body in the transmission and this has fixed the issue. However, I recently had another issue where the car stalled and when I started and put in drive, it would not drive. I had it towed in and the next morning they claimed it drove fine. I thought I was going crazy. Still don't know the deal with that. I have a bad tie rod on the passenger side and who knows what else. The dealership only wanted my money and to send me on my way w/a crap car. I am going to report them to the BBB as well.

gmcustsvc · October 2010

Toni19,
Good morning, I was reading your post. I seen that you purchased your vehicle from a Ford dealer; however, have you tried taking your vehicle to an authorized GM dealer? If not I would recommend doing so to have your vehicle diagnoised. Please keep me posted on your progress.
Christina
GM Customer Service

toni19 · October 2010

I get a free loaner car from the Ford dealership, so unfortunatly when the car has broke down I have used them. The original issue with the tranny was fixed, but it had to get diagnosed by a Chev dealership first. I love my car but am so frustrated w/all the issues it has had. For an 05 it should still be running strong. Do you know any Chev dealerships or places in MN that I can get an overall diagnosis for free or cheap?

Thanks!
Toni

gmcustsvc · November 2010

Toni19,
I would be happy to locate a dealer for you; however, you will need to speak specifically with the dealer for service pricing information. If you would like to e-mail me with your zip code, I am happy to assist you in finding a service department.
Christina
GM Customer Service

pinkwrench · November 2010

OK> great...dont waste our time reading it.(ddenn) People are looking for solutions!

ddenn · November 2010

I understand your fustration, Here is the answer to this problem. the pressure control solienide,it won't show a code because it stores it, you can disconnect the neg terminal on the battery for a min or so, but you have to hook it back up, and it might take care of the problem for a while but it will come back,its about a 6- 8 hour job,the cradle has to be let down in order to get the side cover off the tranny to repalce the shift solienide....this trans is in Millions of cars Police, Cab co and civilian use the same set up. of the hundreds I have been around, not one has had this problem, but of all the ones I have read up on that did, the Pressure Control Solenoid fixed the problem....here is what will make you mad the part is made in Japan and China the quality control is not what it once was. and these can be bad new.......Good Luck with your car issues, I wish you all speedy and none costly repairs.

garsarno · November 2010

My '07 Impala SS is on the second replacement transaxle. The original died at 51,000 miles in 3/09 and now the replacement is dead at 74,000 miles in 11/10. They were going to repair but GM zone office said the cost to repair was higher than to replace. Problem is that the replacements are all rebuilt transaxles. New ones go into new cars.
It's great to have the 5 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty for 2007+ years. You need it. Was never a fan of buying the Automakers extended warranty but will always do. My daughter, sister in law and our '07 Lexus ES350 all have extended warranties taking the cars into 100,000 miles. Will buy on my next new car.

blitzz01 · January 2011

I have read a cople of the posts and replies that are associated with the transmission issues on chevrolet impalas and would just like to give feedback and a little bit of hope to all my fellow impala owners. After experiencing the same issues with my own impala, I took it to my transmission specialist and he told me the following: the problem is not just with impalas. It is the transmission 4L65E all together. Anyone having a grand prix, park avenue, impala, intrigue,regal,alero or any vehicle equipped with this tranny will at some point within the span of the transmissions life will experience these issues. This is because GM built a good transmission with a crappy valve body and solenoids that will at times,even when they're squeaky clean off the shelf, give you problems. Some manufacturer out there knows about this and has produced a "correction kit" and it takes care of the problem for ever. Unfortunately, this requires that the transmission be dropped and pretty much rebuilt with seals and solenoids replaced and correction kit installed of course. My impala startd acting up at about 200000 miles so I really can't complain. My specialist will charge me 900 dlls to do this for me and I trust him completely as he's done tranny work for me on other gm vehicles. In short, I sympathize with all you and your anxieties but no need to boycott gm or impalas. However,does gm know there is a problem with 4L65E? YES! Do they acknowledge this? NO!should a class action be filed against gm for this? YES! The question I pose is: how does one do this and being that they just received a bail out, will the government intervene? I will do some research and if I can find out enough information,will start this myself. Not because I'm money hungry but because I have been a chevy guy for life and if I am to continue being such, gm is to redeem itself to us gm fans one way or another. I guess I just don't want to believe in something that's failing to so many.

oldcrow1 · January 2011

Have the same year you do and the same thing just started with the lag and then it just slams and goes. i think this is a bunch of BS i don't have any hard mil'' on my car all highway most anyway and for a tran to go only after 80.000 and dam $3000 give me a break. i can tell you one thing DON'T TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP what ever you do they will screw you over much less taking it some place other then them. hey good luck, and yes i'm thinking of trading mine in before it goes tu and it won't be CHEVEROLET. :-(

oldcrow1 · January 2011

Hey that would be great if you started something like that and if you need any help just let me know i'm very good on the phone and have time in the day . so if you do my email is lenney41@comcast.net plus i needto get my car fixed

oldcrow1 · January 2011

Hey that would be great if you started something like that and if you need any help just let me know i'm very good on the phone and have time in the day . so if you do my email is lenney41@comcast.net plus i need to get my car fixed i hope to here from you blitzz01

dwk5023 · January 2011

I've noticed the same issue in my 2005 Chevy Impala 3.4 L with 164k miles... As the car speeds up (10-30 mph) it jerks when shifting through 1st and 2nd gear. It makes me nervous that one day its going to jerk hard and screw everything up. All of the miles put on my vehicle are basically highway miles. If you need someone else to join you please let me know. I will help out however I can, I think its morally right that they fix this problem on their dime. I am half tempted to nix Chevy all together if they don't do something about this problem. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! My email is dwk5023@gmail.com ...let me know if I can help.

lahj2 · February 2011

I have this very same problem. It is dangerous as the car will jerk into motion when gas is applied causing erratic direction of the car. It is nerve wracking for an old man (67 ) to have this happening .My wife is afraid to ride in the car.
I would gladly join in a suit to have this problem rectified. We pay a good amount of money to drive our cars and this should not be happening to so many Impala owners.

hank164 · February 2011

I have read many of he Impala transmission posts here and I apologize in advance if this is redundant. It might, however, be of some interest.
I bought a new Impala LS in 2000, its first year. I was told by some friends that buying a new model car in its first year is not a good idea. They were right. For the first two years it seemed that everything that could go wrong, did. My Impala was in for repairs at least on a monthly basis. It was under warranty - so, financially , at least, it wasn't a problem - however, it was very time consuming, and frustrating. GM, (as a good will gesture?) gave me a three year warranty extension at half price. One of the treated problems during this time was intermittent rough shifting - two clunks shifting up and two lesser clunks shifting down. The service manager (now a friend after so many visits) said it was a computer problem and a new computer was installed. The shifting remained smooth after that for about four years. Then it began showing the old misbehavior. After about a year goes by, and While an AAA mechanic was installing a new battery in the Impala, I mentioned my transmission problem. He replied that this new battery would fix it. I laughed, but he was serious. When he finished, I drove away with the Impala smoothly shifting! It remained that way for about six months. One explanation I heard of this "cure" is that the electronic system, being disconnected to install the new battery, made the computer reboot and that cleared out a computer error. I have since tried a reboot by disconnecting the battery negative cable for a half hour, but with no success at eliminating the intermittent rough shifting. Any thoughts, ideas?

mljp76 · February 2011

I have a 2000 Impala ls my son uses to commute to college and home. Recently after driving around 2hours and 90 miles pulling out from a red light the car would not move. Trying all gears and nothing he pushed it into a parking lot and called service. After sitting for 30 to 45 minutes the roll back arrived and the driver was able to put the car in gear and drive it on the truck. When it arrived home we were able to drive it off the truck. The car has 158K on it with no transmission problems. Has anyone experienced a similar problem. Could it be a solinoid or control problem.and lastly does the cost prohibit the repair the car has its share of dings and bumps.(college student)
Thanks for the input

lahj2 · February 2011

From what i have read in this forum, it seems that there is a solenoid problem in this Impala.
I am having problems with intermittent jerking into motion after a full stop mine is a 2006 Impala LS. When I pay this car off, I am trading or selling this thing and going back to Toyota. The dealer shop does not know what to do about this problem so I am left with a note and a very likely warranty claim in the future.

Kirstie_H · February 2011

Our Membership Agreement prohibits using the Forums to organize lawsuits, so please don't do so here. We also ask that you not post contact information, including email addresses, within posts.

etpishort · February 2011

My only question is who is the company that he got the kit from? And where can I get it? I am having some issues out of my 2003 Impala LS that I just bought from a chevy dealer that said it was in tip top shape. Hard shifting from a stop. And also hard shifting when driving. Is this kit readily available? Have you had this done yet? And did it work like it was supposed to. Please let me know my email is etpishort@aol.com I would need this info please.

jtboone15 · February 2011

I agree. there seems to be so many people that have this same problem. what would the next step in getting this recall be?

wayoftheguin · February 2011

Hey folks I am getting ready to take my car in for a second opinion i have a slow leak of transmission fluid. the first garage i took it to said it had a bad seal and needed to be rebuilt. i have been taken for a ride before with techs and i cant afford another unneeded repair. I have read a couple places it could be a solenoid or something. Is there anything else it could be or anything i should know or say to keep them from screwing me over.

alyn1 · February 2011

alyn1 · February 2011

just recently bought a 2000 impala. guy said the tranny was junk. once i got the car home i started it up and the car seem to be ok except for the tranny wouldnt shift properly. so i checked the fluid and it was almost black and about 3 quarts low. i dropped the pan and changed the fluid and filter myself. the car shifted better but still had a problem shifting from 2nd to 3rd and now the engine light popped on. so, i had the car tested and it showed a mis-fire and the TCC solenoid was bad. so, i started reading through all the posts here to get some opinions and info on how to fix. now, thanks to all the help from you guys, i was able to replace the tcc myself. BUT, i still have problem. here is what i have done so far.
1. complete tune-up. (no more mis-fire)
2. added sea-foam trans cleaner and drove car. changed fluid and filter.
3. dropped trans and changed TCC solenoid.
4. completely removed cat-converter (added straight pipe for time being)
since the repairs, this car runs and shift great in every gear but 3rd. no slipping, no hard shift, no nothing. it just wont shift from 2nd to 3rd unless i let off the gas. driving the car like normal, after it shifts into 2nd, it gets up to about 50mph and high rpm then i can just barely let off the gas pedal and it will shift just fine into 3rd and then goes rite into OD no probs. the only other thing i can thinnk of is changing the pressure solenoid but not sure if that would fix or not. any suggestions please....

alyn1 · March 2011

anybody got any idea.

Kirstie_H · March 2011

Since your question is pretty technical, you might try our general Transmission Traumas discussion. Sometimes, mechanics drop by that discussion.

cfrokjer · April 2011

I have been reading that this is a common issue and I have only 89,000 on my car and would like to know what other people have done in a similar situation. I am going to call and make a complaint with GM because I feel they need to take responsibility as this is happening too frequently.

klm005 · April 2011

After recently replacing the head gasket (71,000 miles) the car hesitates when shifting from first to second gear. Also, I smell gasoline from the front end after using the car. As a side note, the speakers to the radio on longer work. If there is anyone out there who can give me ANY idea what I can do next, I would appreciate the help.

shane82 · May 2011

hi i am having the same problem from what i read it is a intermintent jerking when you first go at time but doesnt feel like a real tranny slip just seeing if you found any answers my car is a 2003 chevy impala about 142000 miles so the miles are starting to get up there thank you

dream_horse · June 2011

Did you ever resolve this problem? I have a 2004 Impala that after driving at slow speed for a distance starts banging into gear and gets progressively worse if I keep driving. I pull over and shut off engine for 3 minutes then restart and the problem goes away until next time. I think it is a computer problem also. My check engine light doesn't come on, does yours?

toni19 · June 2011

Hello,

I did get the problem fixed. Mine was jumping gear right from 1st after a stop. It was a tranny issue. They had to replace a few solonoids and it solved the problem. The job normally can run 1500, but I got mine done alot cheaper cause it was right after I purchased the car and I was so angry that was happening.
Now I have a 'whistling' sound every time I accelerate and that's driving me crazy. I am going to get that checked out soon.

klm005 · June 2011

I did get my problem resolved. It was a simple fuel filter. However, I have been advised to get my transmission fluid and filter replaced soon. After reading about everyone's problems, I am afraid to touch anything! Also, my speakers on my radio do not work at all (since I had the head gasket replaced.) It is obvious the radio is on because it shows what song is playing, but no sound.

gmcustsvc · June 2011

toni19,

Please keep us posted on any information regarding the whistling sound.

Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

toni19 · June 2011

Hi Caron,

I have an appt this Friday to have it checked out I will let you know what I find out.

Thanks !
Toni

gmcustsvc · June 2011

Toni,

Glad to hear you have an appointment on Friday. I look forward to hearing from you after the appointment.

Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

toni19 · June 2011

Good morning !

I brought it in and they could find nothing wrong with it. How odd. I guess that is very good news, no money out of my pocket, but I am still hearing the whistling noise whenever I accelerate and it stops when I let off.

gmcustsvc · June 2011

toni19,

Thank you for the update and I am glad to hear there is nothing wrong with your vehicle. If you still have concerns, please feel free to get a second opinion.

Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

army_guy1 · June 2011

Hello All,

I have a 2003 Impala LS and it has a knocking coming from the transmission housing cant figure it out i would figure if it had a bearing going out it would leak fluid???? Maybe im just mechanically stupid. Has anyone had this problem before or know what it could be. Any input would be awesome.
thank you

army_guy1 · July 2011

Found out that the fly-wheel is cracked might explain the noise. Going to replace the torque converter while I have the engine out. Also the engine is getting new seal's and gaskets plus a new water pump and while i have it torn down ill be looking at the wear and tear so far it looks great for 160,000mi.

Mr_Shiftright · July 2011

Nope, a crack in the flywheel couldn't cause that noise. It would have disintegrated and come through your floor if the crack was that bad.

Little cracks in a flywheel are not uncommon at all. Take it to a machine shop and let them evaluate it. Most often, a flywheel with cracks in it can be resurfaced and used again.

Chevrolet Impala Transmission Problems

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles