Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was a progressing failure in which the pressure was low on the reader and the vehicle hesitated numerous times before it stalled without warning. The contact had to make several attempts to get the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and the oil pressure gauge, but the failure recurred. The vehicle continued to stall. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but the contact did not receive a notification. While at a stop light and upon acceleration, the rpms and pressure went low, the vehicle stalled, and an engine fire erupted. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. When the vehicle was started, a clunking sound was heard. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed that a fire had erupted near the exhaust manifold. The fire extinguished on its own. Also, the vehicle intermittently misfired and performed sluggishly. The vehicle was towed to schukei Chevrolet inc (721 s monroe ave, mason city, ia 50401, [phone]) for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action numbers: ea02030 (fuel system, gasoline) and pe00005 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) and 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure caused the contact to have to rent a vehicle for two weeks. When the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, he was provided a loaner vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was an excessive leak of oil onto all the engine area under the hood. The contact also stated that she observed a large amount of oil present on the ground while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the vehicle produced an unusual amount of smoke from the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that she feared the vehicle were to explode due to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign:15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. When the driver attempted to start the vehicle, the exhaust manifold exploded with a very loud noise and without warning. The contact noticed a smoke odor underneath the hood. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the failure was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the she did not receive the recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) after the vehicle's engine compartment caught fire. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The vehicle was towed to denny menholt rapid Chevrolet (2323 e mall dr, rapid city, sd 57701) and the dealer informed the contact that they were waiting for the manufacturer's approval for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Have been numerous complaints on the intake manifold exploding and catching fire. As this same thing happen to me, sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Mine just happen to be in the drive way, when I went to start it I saw smoke. So I turned it off, looked under hood didn't see anything. Went to start it a few days later and I heard a really loud pop, followed by smoke. I quickly turned to off position. Opened my hood and sure enough the manifold had exploded. What if I would have been driving? Could have caused deaths to others or even myself, if it wasn't contained. Not everyone carries a fire extinguisher!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. While the vehicle was stationary, the intake manifold leaked fuel and released vapors. The intake manifold was replaced two years prior by a certified mechanic, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the intake manifold was fractured. In addition, the intake manifold exploded and caused a fire. A police report was not filed. The contact's family extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The dealer, walter's Chevrolet, was contacted about the fire. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact started the vehicle and allowed the engine to run for a few moments. The contact heard an abnormal popping noise after powering up the vehicle. The vehicle then caught fire. The occupant jumped out of the vehicle. There were no reported injuries and a police report was not filed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to start the vehicle by placing the key in the ignition, the engine caught fire. A fire report was filed. The fire was extinguished by the contact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the incident. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. While pulling into the driveway, smoke appeared under the hood. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames coming from the engine exhaust manifold. The contact extinguished the fire. The dealer had the vehicle towed to their lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Engine and engine cooling
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 Oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent engine stalling
There is no summary currently available
Engine complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 229 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet Impala, 28% of the model year's 818 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (40 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Impala engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Impala engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 45 fires and 8 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.