What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST BLOCKED THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST WAS LEANING ENTIRELY TOO FAR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD REST ON THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BLOCKED HIS VIEW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 06/05/12 *BF UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

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MY FIRST ISSUE WAS WITH THE CENTER HEAD RESTRAINT IN THE BACK WHICH TOTALLY BLOCKS VISION USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REMOVE IT AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT. BACKING UP IS IMPOSSIBLE EXCEPT WITH THE SIDE MIRRORS AND TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY BEHIND IS BLOCKED WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BUT GM REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ADJUST THESE HEADRESTS. ALSO, I LIVE IN THE TN MOUNTAINS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPLETELY DISENGAGES WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME "THIS WAS NORMAL AND ALL NEW CARS DID THIS TO SAVE GAS"! I'M NOT THAT MUCH OF AN IDIOT! CRUISE CONTROL IS SET TO MAINTAIN SPEED.... PERIOD! PLEASE.... CAN YOU HELP? *TR

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REAR SEAT HEADRESTS IMPAIR VISIBILITY THROUGH REAR WINDOW. THE CENTER HEADREST IS THE WORST OFFENDER AS IT BLOCKS MOTORCYCLES AND EVEN SMALLER CARS FROM YOUR VIEW. OVER 50% OF THE VIEW THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW IS BLOCKED. ONE MUST USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN TRYING TO NAVIGATE ON THE ROADS AND IT ACTUALLY CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN BACKING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACES. A PERSON WALKING BEHIND THE CAR CAN EASILY BE MISSED BY THE DRIVER. *TR

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2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS BEING TOO HIGH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SEATS HAS THREE LARGE HEAD RESTS, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. *JB

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEIGHT OF THE HEADREST WAS BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY WHEN THE CONTACT HAD TO LOOK THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

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HEADRESTS ON THE BACK SEAT BLOCKS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF REAR VISION. *TR *JS

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REAR HEADRESTS ARE SO LARGE THEY BLOCK MY VIEW AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT BUT I COULD TRADE IN FOR A 2012... I THINK THIS IS CRAZY! I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THIS HAZARD. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE THE SEAT BACK WITH THE 2012 VERSION???? *TR

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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 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.

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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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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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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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