2001 Chevrolet Impala Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  17
• Engine
  16
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  13
• Engine › Gasoline
  10
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  9
• Exhaust system
  4

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  43%
• 25k–50k
  1714%
• 50k–75k
  2420%
• 75k–100k
  1916%
• 100k–150k
  2521%
• 150k+
  3226%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that her husband had entered the vehicle and while the key was in the ignition, the vehicle exploded in the engine compartment. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report filed. There were fire and flames approximately six feet high. The contact and her husband were able to extinguish the fire. The contact called the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer (Sunset Chevrolet 910 Traffic Ave, Sumner, WA 98390[phone]) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred her to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

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.

While driving at 70 mph my car just shut off. The radio and lights stayed on. The oil and battery light came on before it just shut down. Steering locked up. When safely to side, and turned key off it starts right back up, but now traction system is off. Has gas and nothing is broken.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. When the contact opened the hood, the manifold cover exploded and burned his face. The contact used his shirt to douse the fire. The contact sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to a local dealer for repair. Prior to the failure, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). When the dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the part to do the repair was unavailable. The dealer stated that the repairs would only cover the parts that were in the recall, excluding the cost of towing. The failure mileage was 169,000.

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 owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. After the contact arrived home and parked the vehicle, smoke appeared from the engine compartment without warning. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames. The contact and a friend extinguished the flames. There were no injuries. A police and a fire report were filed. The front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed, but the remnant was not towed away. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V400000 (electrical system) and 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not offer any solution. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fire in the engine compartment. The fire independently extinguished itself. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle, but it was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000. Updated 04/08/16 the consumer stated she will have to junk the vehicle. The manufacturer was of no help. Updated 04/21/16.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that as she attempted to start the vehicle and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The engine suddenly caught on fire and engulfed into flames. The fire department and the fire marshall extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) after the failure occurred. The failure mileage was about 160,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when turning the vehicle's ignition switch, the vehicle's intake manifold failed and caught on fire. The failure caused the head gasket cover to fracture and detach. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold, the sensor, and the head gasket cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. The VIN was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. When the driver turned the ignition to the on position, the engine exploded without warning. The fire was extinguished by the contact. A police or a fire report were not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine, engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Impala years