NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
35 reportsClear category filter4,200 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 395 GOING TO BISHOP CA. WHEN ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE ON STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR 2009 CHEVY IMPALA TO THE DEALER THEY SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED,THIS WAS AT 4200 MILES SO THEY TURNED THE ROTORS . AT 7900 MILES THE DEALER THEN…
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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 395 GOING TO BISHOP CA. WHEN ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE ON STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR 2009 CHEVY IMPALA TO THE DEALER THEY SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED,THIS WAS AT 4200 MILES SO THEY TURNED THE ROTORS . AT 7900 MILES THE DEALER THEN CHANGED BOTH ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WARPED AGAIN, AT 13000 MILES THE DEALER CHANGED FRONT CALIPERS AND INSTALLED A SHIELD KIT TO HELP COOL THE ROTORS PLUS TURNED THE ROTORS AGAIN. NOW AT 21,000 MILES THE CAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES LIKE BEFORE AND WHEN I CALLED GM CUST SERV THEY TOLD ME THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ROTORS THIS TIME.AS THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED I FEEL GM IS TURNING THEIR BACK ON THERE CUSTOMERS WITH OWELL ATTITUDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376291
11,500 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE ROTORS WERE HEATED, THEY WOULD BECOME WARPED AS IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND ONLY HAP WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,900.
NHTSA ODI #10370653
2,600 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 90 WEST TOWARD DENVER CO. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEP AND WINDING AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE PACE WAS FAST. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME BEGAN SLOWING AND I BEGAN TO SLOW BY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY BRAKES HEATED UP FAST AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT BREAKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD …
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IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 90 WEST TOWARD DENVER CO. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEP AND WINDING AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE PACE WAS FAST. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME BEGAN SLOWING AND I BEGAN TO SLOW BY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY BRAKES HEATED UP FAST AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT BREAKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE ROTORS FEELING AS THOUGH THEY WERE WARPED AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING. I DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD. GEAR BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SLOW ME ENOUGH SO I DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND AND THIS STILL WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A DOWNHILL SPEED TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO USE THE BRAKES. FINALLY I SHIFTED TO !ST GEAR TO MAINTAIN THE SAFE SPEED THAT I NEEDED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT THE CAR FREEWHEELS SO EXCELLENT THAT EVEN ON LOWER GRADES AS EXPERIENCED IN THE CAROLINAS IN OCTOBER WHEN WE WERE THERE THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GEAR DOWN SO AS NOT TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKES WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN POSTED SPEEDS IN MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH SOLOMON CHEVROLET IN DOTHAN WHERE I GET THE CAR SERVICED AND THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY HAD NO SUGGESTIONS BUT ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DEALERSHIP WISE TO HELP ME. I FEEL IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH DOES NOT SURFACE UNLESS YOU DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369535
47,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL HEADING FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST BACK TO ARIZONA, UPON BRAKING CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING BADLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. LATER FOUND OUT AFTER SEARCHING THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A WARPED ROTAR PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE ITEM THAT I HAVE SE…
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DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL HEADING FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST BACK TO ARIZONA, UPON BRAKING CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING BADLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. LATER FOUND OUT AFTER SEARCHING THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A WARPED ROTAR PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE ITEM THAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, WHY IS THIS COMPANY NOT BEING PUT TO THE FIRE TO FIX THIS. MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET CLOSE TO 1K FOR A FIX THAT MIGHT LAST 20,000 MILES? I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST CONTROL OR WORSE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THEIR NEW CHEVY AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS. OH, BY THE WAY YOUR WELCOME FOR THE MONEY. AT LEAST TOYOTA IS FIXING THEIR PROBLEMS!!!
NHTSA ODI #10368935
33,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE ROTOR WARP ON 2009 IMPALA LT WITH 30K MILES. CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES BETWEEN 25MPH - 35 MPH. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM SPEEDS 65MPH AND ABOVE. AT THE DEALER NOW BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THE CAUSE IS DRIVER HABIT RELATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367729
7,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DRIVING A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA WITH 7,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN RENO, NV, I WAS ON A MODERATE DOWNWARD SLOPE AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I USED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL, ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD A FLAT IN A FRONT TIRE, OR HAD SOME OTHER SUBSTANTIAL MECHAN…
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DRIVING A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA WITH 7,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN RENO, NV, I WAS ON A MODERATE DOWNWARD SLOPE AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I USED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL, ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD A FLAT IN A FRONT TIRE, OR HAD SOME OTHER SUBSTANTIAL MECHANICAL PROBLEM. RELEASING THE BRAKES, THE SHAKING STOPPED. THIS SHAKING OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON THE HILL AS I SLOWED THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THE CAR TO THE RENTAL COMPANY AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS COMMONLY OCCURS WITH IMPALAS AND WAS DUE TO THE POOR BRAKES INSTALLED ON THE CAR. THE SHAKING WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO, IN MY OPINION, CAUSE DRIVERS TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY WERE REQUIRED TO BRAKE AND MANEUVER SIMULTANEOUSLY. I WON'T BE RENTING ANY MORE IMPALAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360697
12,305 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING RAPIDLY WHILE GOING DOWN STEEP DECLINE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO CONTROL CAR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND ROTORS WERE TURNED DOWN. THE CAR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING 2 MONTHS LATER. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND HANDED ME PAPERS STATING TO JUST GEAR CAR DOWN WHEN…
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BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING RAPIDLY WHILE GOING DOWN STEEP DECLINE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO CONTROL CAR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND ROTORS WERE TURNED DOWN. THE CAR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING 2 MONTHS LATER. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND HANDED ME PAPERS STATING TO JUST GEAR CAR DOWN WHEN DRIVING DOWN MOUNTAINS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359648
11,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE BRAKES COOLED DOWN THE SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL DID STOP. UPDATED 01/24/11
NHTSA ODI #10359619
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
I PURCHASED A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 05/12/10 THE CAR WAS SOLD AS NEW 32 MI. ON 05/20/10 CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS, A REAR SWAY BAR WAS INSTALLED AT FIRST OIL CHANGE I WAS ALERTED BY SERVICE ATTENDANT THAT CAR HAD SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEMS ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR…
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I PURCHASED A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 05/12/10 THE CAR WAS SOLD AS NEW 32 MI. ON 05/20/10 CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS, A REAR SWAY BAR WAS INSTALLED AT FIRST OIL CHANGE I WAS ALERTED BY SERVICE ATTENDANT THAT CAR HAD SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEMS ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR I HAD ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT CAR, HE SAID BRAKE LINES AND OTHER PARTS WERE SO EATEN AWAY BY CORROSION THAT HE CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE I RETURNED CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSPECT PROBLEM, WAS TOLD CAR HAS LOTS OF WARRANTY LEFT AND IF BRAKE FAILURE OCCURS THEY WILL LOOK AT IT THEN I THEN TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WE MADE VIDEO ---DVD--- OF UNDERSIDE OF CAR AND GOT A STATEMENT FROM MECHANIC TO VERIFY PROBLEM I AM TAKING CAR TO ANOTHER CAR DEALERSHIP IN ROCKINGHAM NC TO GET ANOTHER OPINION AND VERIFY I CAN FURNISH YOU WITH A COPY OF DVD AND STATEMENTS FROM MECHANICS TO VERIFY PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE TO MAIL SUMMARY--- I THOUGHT THAT I WAS GETTING A GOOD CAR FROM A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP---WHAT I GOT WAS A BUCKET OF RUST AND CORROSION AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS TO WORRY ABOUT----THIS IS A NEW CAR 3611 MI. ON ODOMETER NOW---HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NEW 2009 CHEVY IMPALAS?---RUST AND CORROSION IN ALL ON UNDER CARRIAGE FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER------------------THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355057
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES EXTREME VIBRATION, SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTIES AND BRAKE UNRESPONSIVENESS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE FROZEN IN ONE POSITION . THE DEALER MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND SANDED THE PADS. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE IN 3RD GEAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10350909
Official recalls
5Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Jun 23, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Aug 3, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Oct 13, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Oct 6, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗