2000 Chevrolet Impala service brakes, hydraulic problems

“THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED, FORTUNATELY IN THE DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION OF THE LINES SHOWED HEAVY CORROSION ON ALL FOUR LINES. THE FAILURE ON THE RIGHT FRONT LINE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE ENGINE AND THE HOLE WAS A LARGE ENOUGH TO DRAIN THE RESERVOIR IN 5 OR 6 PEDAL DEPRESSIONS. *TR”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ABRUPTLY TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION IN COMBINATION WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”

“I HAVE A 2000 IMPALA THAT DOES NOT HAVE TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS A NO START PROBLEM. IT WON'T TURN OVER AND I HAVE TO SIT THERE ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINS WAITING FOR THIS PIECE OF CRAP TO START. I THINK SOMEBODY NEEDS TO MAKE GM RECALL THESE CARS TO FIX THEM. ITS TIME TO PUT THE CONSUMER FIRST AND NOT THESE MONEY HUNGRY CORPORATIONS LIKE GENERAL MOTORS!!! *TR”

“CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER DRIVER PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO MOVE IT FROM A PARKED, IDLING POSITION, AFTER NOTICING A BURNING LIKE ODOR. IT WAS NOTED BY THE DRIVER AT THAT TIME THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE RED ZONE. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFER PARKING AREA ONLY A FEW FEET IN DISTANCE, SHE HEARD A SHARP SNAPPING SOUND AND ALSO FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN AREA. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AS THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKE CONTROL. NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE AN INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVOLVED. *TR”

“DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, HE HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY FOUND RUST ON THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB”

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK PLATE FAILED ON THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE BRAKE FAILED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BACKER PLATE RUSTED OUT, RESULTING IN THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH DISC AND DRUM BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BACK PLATE. THE BACK PLATE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. EARLIER THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED, RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE WHEEL CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE CALIPERS. THE ONLY WARNING LIGHT CAME AFTER THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE LEFT ROTOR. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE CALIPERS WERE REBUILT. THE BRAKE PADS HAD LESS THAN 50 % WEAR BUT THEY WERE REPLACED AS WELL. *AK”