2004 Chevrolet Epica from North America - Comments

My main complaint/concern with the Epica is that my engine light keeps turning on. I drove the car off the lot with the engine light on. I was told to check the gas cap, which was loose so was told that in about 100km that the tank would re pressurize and light would go off. If it did not turn off to go to a dealership and they would hook my car up to their computer and would reset the light. We were on vacation when we had to purchase the Epica and still on vacation when the light was reset the first time. Upon returning home the light was back on. I have had to take my Epica in about 8 times to have the engine light reset. They have found the cause to always be 2 of the 4 O2 sensors. I have had Bank 2 Sensor 1 and Bank 1 Sensor 1 replaced many times. I have also had a new "computer" of some sort replaced in the car, they are as we speak, replacing the ground wires. They found that on moving the "harness" bundle of wires that something spiked, but only for a short period of time so were unable to figure out what caused it. My dealership has been very supportive of my car troubles, but as this is the first year in Canada for the Epica, they really don't know what to do about this problem. I really need to find some other people that have the same problem so that my dealership can speak to their dealership. Please help. Does anyone know of a website where people who post messages can contact each other?

Seating is comfortable.

Looks nice.

I like the 16" tires.

Good snow tires are very expensive for this car.

I leased my Epica LT in May/04 and for the most part, I enjoy the vehicle. It is, perhaps, a tad underpowered. I was driving an 8 cylinder Explorer prior to this vehicle so the power difference was noticeable, but not annoying. The transmission apparently 'learns' the driving style of the driver, and I find the acceleration smooth and after a subtle moment of hesitation, swift. I love the roomy interior and the luxury appointments like the faux-woodgrain accents, but I too have had problems with condensation in the headlamps and the check engine light. My dealership replaced the seals around both headlamps about two weeks ago and told me it would probably take awhile to dry out, but it's still there. Also, in the last two weeks the check engine light came on and stayed on. I checked the manual and, as suggested, adjusted the fuel cap. I had also just gased up that afternoon so I thought bad fuel might have been the problem. The dealership said no, but they kept the car for two days and still couldn't explain what was wrong because their dignostic computer could not communicate with the car's computer. They hadn't seen this problem before and they had a call into GM, but they reset the light and finally released the car to me. It was fine for a week, but when I started it up on a particularly cold morning, the engine light commenced flashing and the car was running very rough. It settled down in about 3 minutes, but the light stayed on. I was down to half a tank of gas so I took it for a quick spin and it ran fine, just as it had previouly when the light first came on, but I filled it again this time with a higher octane. The light stayed on. When I called the dealership, they said they didn't quite know what to do since the computers couldn't communicate, but I should bring it in and, one way or another, they'd resolve this problem. That afternoon, when I started it up, the light went out so I cancelled the service call, but told the dealership I wasn't comfortable with not knowing what was causing this. I don't think they are either! That was 3 days ago and the light hasn't come back on yet. Other than that, performance and esthetics on the Epica are fine. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. Any suggestions/comments, however, would certainly be appreciated.

Hi

We live in Okanagan B.C. Canada. We purchased our epica 6 months ago. Love it. Smooth is all I can Say. I just wanted to comment on the engine light problem. It happen to us a month ago. We took the car into the dealership. They reset the engine light and said it was most likely the gas cap improperly tightened. The engine light came on again one week later. When the light came on it flashed and the engine miss fired. We took the car back to the dealership and they found a faulty O2 sensor. The car has been great ever since.

I own am 04 Suzuki Verona, (same car). The check engine light kept coming on and the car was returned to the dealer 14 times. They did everything, new computer, new sensors, even a new engine. Suzuki is now repurchasing the car after a lemon law complaint.

Me and my family went on vacation this weekend and the check engine light came, but I didn't worry about it and just drove and nothing happened soo I'm guessing it was alright..

I bought my Epica LT in Nov of 2004. I also had the engine light come on. The dealership replaced the vacuum and I have not had any problems since. I truly love my little car, it is roomy and feels luxurious with the sunroof and the heated leather seats.

Hi.

My name is Teresa I am from Hamilton Ontario, in December of 2004 I purchased an Epica because of its luxury interior and great price. The first 6 months were great just recently its been one thing after the other. I have had the engine light go one, they fixed it its been good until now. I have had the fog light full of humidity they said they replaced it, but the next day there it was full of humidity they had only clean it and sealed, I complained and they then totally replaced it. Its been a while now that I had complained about the RPM's because when I am stopped like a red light and you can see the rmp’s just go above the 1 almost to the 2, one say as I was stopped at the stop light, I of course had my foot on the brake and the car took off about 3 feet as I felt the car in motion I pressed the brakes harder and harder and still it was in motion until it came to a complete stop. Just about at the same time I also had been complaining about a thump that the car makes when I stop, they practically laughed at me when I told them about the problem, they would take the car for a test drive and it wouldn’t do it so they that I was full of bull. Well as time passed it started to get worse so much so that now when it would do the thump I would look in my rear view mirror because it would feel as if someone just bumped me from behind. I took the car in to get fixed they checked it out and they said that it was the throttle, so they replaced the old with a new. Just a few days later after picking up the car, I got in my car one morning to go to work, the car would start, but when you put it in drive it didn’t move nor did the reverse. When we picked up the car they said that it was the transmission that blew so they installed a new one they also said that they still didn’t know what was that thump that the car was making and that GM doesn’t like to pay for a rental for more than 2 days which is a good thing because it makes them work faster, but they gave me my car back not knowing the problem or how to fix it. Well low and behold 2 days later as I left for work I tried to stop the car when I started break the car didn’t slow down and as I came closer I would press the break even harder well the car came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection at the same time the light was green for the other side I am very lucky that the cars were paying attention and didn’t drive off or they would have ran over me. Well at this point I had fumes coming out of my ears. The following day I missed a day of work so I could go in to the dealer ship and complain until there was no tomorrow, and let them know what I think of GM’s service and their cars. This is the 2nd brand new car I buy with them and I am only 22 I told them straight out that I would have bought more cars off of them, but they had lost a very loyal client. This was 4 days ago I still haven’t heard anything from them or my car, I am still driving around in a rental and I am a very unhappy customer. If anyone has the same problem or something some what the same please write in. I read all the other complaints people had about the Epica and now I know why they didn’t come out with any more its because its causing so much problems.

Epica LT 2004:

Nice car, excellent value for the price. Smooth, slick, and no issues other than one recall two years ago.

I have a 2004 Epica and when it is working, it runs smooth. This car has been in and out of the repair shop since I bought it. Now the check engine light comes on, but the codes are never the same. I have it reset and then it comes back a month later. The shocks make thumping noises, the car stalls occasionally and it burns a lot of gas. I regret buying this car and is no wonder it has been discontinued. The dealer was good at first, but I think they are just as frustrated as I am. If GM continues branding sub standard cars, in the future, people will be saying General Who!!!

I have a 2004 epica and it has been really bad. It's been in and out of the garage so many times it is not funny. Right now my nerves are so bad about that car my husband won't let me drive it. I will be glad when the lease is up. They changed the sensors the sway bar something in the transmission and it just goes on and on. I live in a small town and some guys tell me that all the ones they sold it is only the three blacks ones that are like that. Phoned and can't get any help all they will do is keep servicing it which is very tiresome. We can't even plan a vacation in fear the car will break down. We decided not to drive it anymore because we do not feel safe in it. We are going to put a parking plate on it and park it on blocks on our front lawn until the lease runs out. It is a very expensive lawn ornament. write to mshirley@xplornet.com if you had similar problems I would like to hear from you. I live in Canada so there is no lemon law to help me. It makes me very mad that people can just walk over you like that.

I have a 2004 chev epica, Chatham Ont. and the check engine light comes on and off, the guy said check the gas cap, it goes off after about 100km then it stays off till we get fuel then about 20km after that it comes back on, other than that it runs fine, gets great gas mileage about 25-39 roughly mpg, its smooth riding car, its just the transmission, it feels like it slips when it shifts gears, it loeses power between shifts. other than that it runs good and drives nice.

January 09/2008.

I have a 2004 Chev Epica LS, Halifax NS. I've just purchased the car back in November, The car works great except my check engine light came on last night. I turned the car off then checked the gas cap, popped the hood checked for loose connections, dirty air filters, etc. I found nothing out the ordinary, I restarted the car and the engine light is still on steady, the car seems to be running like the day I got it from the dealer, no strange noises, or rough idle, it rides nice and smooth. I get a hard start some mornings, but that's do to cold weather. I'm pretty much out of ideas of what could be causing this, does anybody have any suggestions on what could cause this before I spend a lot of money on costly repairs at the dealership. I'm really enjoying this car so far and don't want to get rid of it over something minor. Thanks D.

We had 2004 epica LS from Digby county n.s. Had a lot of trouble with it from vibrating in front tires. Burns more oil every week we had it. 2 tires coming off,front driver and tire behind driver good thing we had signs of it coming off because the dealership said they didn't know what was holding it on. Had a crack in windshield, some mornings it wouldn't start and check engine light comes on only when the oil was low. Car had its troubles and the list goes on on on.

My name is sandra I bought a 2004 epica every time I stop the car I need to play with the key to get it started very frustrating I don't like this car

wish I never bought it

halifax nova scotia.

I bought a 2004 Epica in January of 2007. Soon as the warranty was up, the ignition cylinder went...$700.

Now we're having problems with wheel bearings and struts. We're having a very hard time finding parts for the car, other than the dealership (which usually has to order them in). Most of the parts are for the "Epica" only.

We wish we didn't get this car. We might trade here in and take the loss of 4k for the comfort of knowing that we'll have something reliable and to get rid of her while the going is good...only 55km...very disappointing.