Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
after car not used for two days, turning ignition on and attempted to start the engine a extremely load explosion came from engine compartment! Upon looking at the engine the PLASTIC intake manifold was blown to pieces. no warning a explosion was to occur, car was running normal prior to explosion.
On dec, 12, our 2001 Impala was sitting in the driveway. It had not been driven for a few days and since the weather was cold, my husband wanted to make sure it would start. When he turned the key, there was an explosion in the injector system. Flames shot out and the system was blown apart. Fortunately, the car was not in our garage at the time and he was not injured. We called vermilion Chevrolet in danville, illinois and the person who answered said it was a defective fuel regulator that had caused the problem. He seemed to be aware of the problem. We had recently received a recall for possible under the hood fires, but he told us that was for a leaky valve cover gasket, not the fuel regulator. We have comprehensive insurance, but they are balking at covering the damage. We have not had any estimates on getting it repaired yet. We are still waiting on the insurance. …
I waited for recall parts (ignition and oil leak) and had them completed 4/13/16. On 4/22/16 my car started smoking coming off the freeway, I pulled over and the engine stalled, people yelled to get out it was on fire. The fire started in front of engine and proceeded though engine compartment burning all plastics and wiring. Dealership says I'm responsible for the damage since I didn't have full insurance coverage. How can that be, my car was fine until they worked on it. Dealership was also very rude and condescending. I hope all Chevrolet dealers aren't the same. I gave dealership 7 days to resolve the problem, however they basically told me no one can help me. I almost burned up in this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact did not receive a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V400000 (electrical system) and 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). While parked in the driveway, the vehicle erupted into flames near the instrument panel and in the engine compartment. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I drove the car to a store, parked, turned the engine off and exited the vehicle. When I got out of the car it was smoking under the hood. A short time later the car was on fire in the engine bay. I'd say flames erupted approximately 10 minutes after I exited the vehicle.
The ignition recall was performed on my 01 Impala 3.4 recently. This recall was meant to fix the issue of the car shutting off while driving due to the key moving out of the run position to the off position. However, this has not fixed the issue. I have been to several repair shops with concerns about the car shutting off while driving and no one has been able to diagnose the issue. The car is running perfect except for this issue. I believe this issue is due to the ignition recall. I have read the reports concerning this recall and understand that the solution is to modify the key but I would look into other options since this has not fixed this issue. Their is absolutely nothing else wrong with the car according to 4 repair shops and 4 diagnostic scans that have been ran on the vehicle. …
The ignition keeps locking out the cars ability to start. On numerous occasions this vehicle would not start after entering the vehicle. The lights would come on and when the key is rotated to the start position nothing would happen. Upon waiting for 10 to 20 minutes this vehicle will then restart. When taken to the garage to have maintenance done this vehicle never failed for them on twenty times of starting in a row. Took the car home and it sat and now it failed again. My daughter is about to be dismissed from her current job because of this constant failure to start. Lately, the time has grown. My daughter took a video of the incident and have taken it back to the dealer and they are not able to duplicate the problem. They said they had to jump it to start it and when questioned about it they stated it took them 10 to 15 minutes to gather all the equipment to get it to start. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. Whether the vehicle was stationary or driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. In addition, after turning the vehicle off and removing the key, the engine was still running. The contact also stated that the computer in the vehicle made a "humming noise" when the ignition key was removed and was still actively consuming power in the vehicle. Furthermore, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact, an independent mechanic, replaced the battery, the alternator, and the starter; however, the failures persisted. The dealer (f.h. Dailey Chevrolet, 800 davis st, san leandro, ca 94577, [phone]) was notified, but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. On another occasion, the security and air bag warning lights was continuously illuminated. Also, the contact noticed that the steering column was loose which caused the vehicle to shake while driving at high speeds. The vehicle was taken the dealer for a diagnosis of the security light and the engine stalling. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000(electrical system). However, the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnosis of the steering column and the mechanic stated that the steering column was loose and needed to be repaired or tightened. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the key was turned to the start position, several warning lights illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and check engine lights were illuminated. The vehicle was started and the vehicle loss brakes and power steering functionality with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The contact was previously informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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 9, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 225 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 30% of the model year's 742 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 12 fires and 2 injuries and 2 deaths to electrical system 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.