What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala Eco Eassist

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW OF THE ROADWAY WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT PUSHED FLAT DOWN INTO THE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,855.

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THE REAR HEADRESTS IN THE IMPALA ARE TERRIBLE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN/ISSUE. THEY OBSTRUCT, OBSCURE, OR IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S CLEAR VIEW. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW. ANOTHER THING IS THE SIDE MIRRORS, WHY ARE THEY SOOOO TINY? SIDE MIRROR ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM VISIBILTY. THE DRIVER OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROADWAY & OBJECTS SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE FROM ANY ANGLE!!!! AUTOMAKERS, KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING A VEHICLE. SAFETY FIRST!!!! DO NOT SACRIFICE SAFETY FOR STYLE!!!!!! *TT

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THE REAR VISIBILITY BOTH USING THE MIRROR AND TURNING YOUR HEAD IS COMPROMISED BY THE MIDDLE HEADREST LOCATED ON THE BACK SEAT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO BE REMOVED BUT IS MADE INTO THE REAR SEAT. I BELIEVE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE OTHER TWO HEADRESTS ALSO MAKE IT HARD TO SEE. I REALLY BELIEVE IT WAS AN ALL AROUND BAD IDEA BY GMC. I ALSO GET A FILM ON MY WINDSHIELD LIKE I'VE BEEN SMOKING BUT NOBODY IN MY FAMILY SMOKES. I SUGGESTED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY BE THE HEATER CORE BUT THEY ASSURED ME IT COULDN'T BE THE HEATER CORE. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. *TR

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MY COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE IS VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE REAR HEADRESTS WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. GM BUILT THE BACK SEAT WITH 3 LARGE HEADRESTS "WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED" THAT BLOCKS ALMOST THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, THE MOST I CAN SEE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS THE TOPS OF THE CAR(S) BEHIND ME, SOMETIMES NOT THAT MUCH. WHEN BACKING UP, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AROUND ALL THREE BACK HEADRESTS IN ORDER NOT TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THESE BACK SEAT HEADRESTS CAN BE REPLACED BY BUYING THE 2012 IMPALA HEADREST COMPONENTS FROM GM WHICH COST AT LEAST $400.00 JUST FOR THE 3 PARTS NEEDED. I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE BACK SEAT HEADRESTS DUE TO THE HAZARD POSED BY THE HEADRESTS. *KB

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THREE REAR HEADREST WERE ELEVATED TOO HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS SHOULD BE LOWERED OR THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE COME EQUIPPED WITH A BACK-UP CAMERA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT HEADRESTS WERE SITTING TOO HIGH, OBSCURING HER VISION OF THE ROADWAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING BEHIND THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD RESTS WERE DESIGNED IN A SPECIFIC MANNER AND COULD NOT BE REDESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,500. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATED 04/11/12

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIEW OF THE VEHICLE WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEADREST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REPLACED, REMOVED OR ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,100.

NHTSA ODI 10438583

DRIVING DOWNHILL A TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER BRAKE SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO BRAKE HARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUDDERED AND FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT I COULDN'T! ADDITIONALLY THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERED HORRIBLY SIDE TO SIDE. BRAKING ON THE REMAINDER OF THE HILL AND FOR A WHILE AFTER HAD THE SAME CHATTERING, SHAKING, SHUDDERING, AND SORT OF BRAKE GRINDING FEELING MAKING ME FEEL LIKE I COULD NOT RELY ON THE BRAKES AND MAYBE THE STEERING WAS HAVING PROBLEMS TOO. SCARED ME AND FELT TERRIBLY UNSAFE!!!! THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO WITH THIS CAR IN A SIMILAR DOWNHILL SUDDEN BRAKING SITUATION. I DRIVE TO AVOID HAVING TO BRAKE SUDDENLY BUT SOMETIMES IT IS UNAVOIDABLE AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE IT FEELS TOO UNSAFE. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE HEAD REST PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM HAVING A CLEAR LINE OF VISION WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

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WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN TO THE STORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS READING HALF A TANK. THE STORE I RAN TO WAS 6 MILES UP THE ROAD, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS COMING HOME I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK. BY THE TIME I GOT BACK HOME (6 MILES AWAY) THE GAUGE WAS READING BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER TANK. I ALSO HAD A 2007 SILVERADO THAT DID THE SAME THING, NOT SURE BUT MAYBE CHEVROLET NEEDS TO SEED A RECALL OUT FOR THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNITS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER CHEVY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

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THE MIDDLE HEADREST ON THE REAR SEAT IS TOO HIGH AND SIGNIFICANTLY OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR

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MY IMPALA WILL NOT HEAT IN IDLE POSITION,NO EARLY MORN DEFROSTS FOR ME! TOOK TO DEALER ( 10/18/11) HE FOUND A LEAK, REPLACED A HOSE. IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE, NOW DOING AGAIN, (10/28/11), GOING BACK IN SHOP ON 11/3/11. ALSO CAR WILL NOT HEAT WHEN REMOTE STARTER IS USED,COMES UP TO TEMP EVERYTIME JUST DOESN'T BLOW HOT AIR, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THEM, THEY TELL ME THAT'S "NORMAL", WHAT??, IM SORRY, BUT ISN'T THE PURPOSE OF REMOTE STARTERS, FOR REGULATING CABIN TEMPERATURE? I WILL SEE HOW THESE TWO ISSUES ARE HANDLED ON THURS, I HAVE THIS FUNNY FEELING I WILL BE BACK HERE ON THIS SITE FOR THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AFTER IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,185.

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THE HEADREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOW. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD REST LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT WAS BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW WHEN SHE USED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/11

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THE 3 REAR SEAT HEADRESTS MAKE IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY BACK THE CAR UP PLUS THEY OBSCURE THE VIEW OF FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AS I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR,AND TOOK DELIVERY BEFORE REALIZING HOW MAJOR THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE IS. THE HEADRESTS CANNOT BE REMOVED OR ADJUSTED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS NOT AN ABSTRUSE OR DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO RECOGNIZE, NOR IS IT ONE MAN'S OPINION. ANY TIME THERE IS 70%+ VIEW OBSTRUCTION IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. GM SHOULD CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THIS MOST OBVIOUS MISTAKE WHICH NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS FOUR FEET ELEVEN AND THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVERS VIEW AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105. RVK UPDATED10/27/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

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THIS CAR IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHOEVER THOUGHT OF PUTTING A STATIONARY MIDDLE HEADREST ON THIS CARS BACKSEAT WAS EITHER 7 FEET TALL, OR HAS NEVER BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN IT! MY 5'2" WIFE HAD A FIT AFTER DRIVING IT TODAY. I BOUGHT IT 9/14/11 WITHOUT HER. ANYHOW, FOR GM TO LET THIS CAR ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A BACKUP CAMERA OR BEING NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THAT HEADREST IS JUST IRRESPONSIBLE. DRIVE ONE AND YOU WILL SEE EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. *TR

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HUGE REAR HEADRESTS (3 OF THEM) BLOCK NEARLY 70% OF REAR VISIBILITY AND MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND OR APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. EVEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKS THE VIEW OF ANY VEHICLE BEHIND. CHANGING LANES IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, AT BEST, BECAUSE DRIVER CAN'T SEE WHAT'S DIRECTLY BEHIND. TRIED SEAT ADJUSTMENTS, OUTSIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS, REAR VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS, AND NOTHING WORKS TO IMPROVE THE REAR VIEW. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH HAS APPARENTLY BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE IMPALA FOR 2012; WHY HAS CHEVROLET NOT CONTACTED DRIVERS FOR A SAFETY FIX OR RECALLED? I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND AM STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE HOPING NO ACCIDENTS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS POOR VISIBILITY ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT CHEVY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT LIABILITY, IF NOTHING ELSE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE ARE FIXES FOR THIS, SHORT OF SAWING OFF THE MIDDLE HEAD REST? THEY CAN'T BE ADJUSTED OR EVEN FOLDED DOWN WITH THE SEAT SINCE THEY'RE BUILT INTO THE REAR WINDOW SHELF AND NOT THE SEATS. (WHO THE HECK CAME UP WITH THIS ONE?) I'M HOPING YOU CAN HELP BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED OR WORSE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING THOSE ON YOUR SITE. PLEASE HELP! THANKS. *TR

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REAR SEAT CENTER HEADREST BLOCKS VIEW OF TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS. VERY UNSAFE AND SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOULY INJURED. GM ENGINEERS FOR SEATS AND NOT DOING THEIR JOB. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW WINDOW WHEN REVERSING OR DRIVING FORWARD DUE TO THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 10/07/11

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, HE NOTICED THAT HIS VISION THROUGH THE REAR WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE VERY LARGE SIZE OF THE REAR HEADRESTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE COULD REMOVE THE HEADRESTS AT HIS OWN DISCRETION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

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THE REAR CENTER HEAD REST NEEDS TO BE REMOVED CAN'T SEE TO BACK UP THEY ALL ARE VERY LARGE BUT THE MIDDLE BLOCKS YOUR VIEW TOTALLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT DUE TO THIS ISSUE IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE MAYBE THEY CAN'T REMOVE THE HEADREST ITSELF BUT THEY CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. I THOUGHT SEATS IN THE BACK WERE SUPPOSE TO FOLD DOWN ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE TRUNK THIS AUTO DOESN'T DO THAT THERE AREN'T EVEN CUPHOLDERS IN THE BACK SEAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD DESIGN FOR GM. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE CHEST AND BACK. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OPPOSING VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND CHEST. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 9/19/11 *CN

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PURCHASED 2011 IMPALA LT/4 DOOR SEDAN 3 WEEKS AGO. REAR CENTER HEADREST COMPLETELY BLOCKS THE VIEW OF VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND, WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE CAR IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS ALSO POSES A HAZARD WHEN BACKING UP, DUE TO 90% SIGHT BLOCKAGE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED BY GM TO REMOVE THE CENTER REAR HEADREST FROM THIS VEHICLE. THE 2012 MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CENTER HEADREST. IT ONLY HAS HEADRESTS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH PROVES THIS IS AN ISSUE THEY HAVE CORRECTED FOR THE NEWER MODEL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2011. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. *TR

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