Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Both headlights unexpectedly turn off while driving. Flicker on and off and then go off. Used to be able to let the car sit a few hours and they would work again. Now 2 nights ago they went off while driving at night....won't come back on at all. Parking lights stay on, turn signals, and 4 way flashers still work, pull switch lever back for bright lights and both headlights work in bright mode as long as you keep holding back on the lever. This was an intermittent problem that no one has been able to figure out. Have had it looked at several times and problem still exists. Replaced hazard flashers swithc, replaced mutlifunction switch, replaced headlights switch. Problem still exists. …
2000-2005 Chevy impalas experience flickering interior lights and exterior lights, faulty dash gauges, no shifter signs on dash, no manual interior lighting or exterior lights, no crank or start. Was told that a bad BCM was the problem. (body control module) part# gmab166 is very old for the make of car the it was put in. There is a NHTSA bulletin out and GM refuse to fix it. Bulletin $ 010603005 and 110501. Because of this hazard I crashed my car into the back of another going 65 MPH when the car just suddenly stalled and there wasn't adequate brake pressure to stop the car.
Takata recall when going to fasten seat belt it will not fasten you have to mess with it a couple times before it will latch and sometimes will unlatch while driving. Takata recall the driver front blinker bulb has been replaced multiple times but after buying numerous bulbs it still will not work. Takata recall when turning the wheel left when I slow down to go around a curve it tightens up like the steering pump is going out but it only does it while slowing down to turn, also while driving its like the vehicle is all over the road swaying around.
On two separate occasions I've been driving on the highway at highway speeds and when I go from bright to dim my headlights shut off. They come back on shortly after, it's only my headlights as I can see my side lamps illuminated. Quickly going back to bright seemed to bring them on quicker the second time they went out. These two issues both occurred as I was meeting another vehicle and went from bright to dim. They occurred over the time period of two months.
Dash lights went out,replaced light switch,blows fuse if dash lights are turned on,horn will come on when car is off.earlier brake peddle wore wires behind it down, caused short,car would die while driving.low tire pressure light on,tires are fine.
The turn signals/ hazard warning flashers work intermittently. The brake lights do not work when the turn signal is activated when they are not working. This is only on the side that the turn signal is turned to and this only occurs when the turn signals are not working. They seem to work better when it is cool and they seem to fail more often when it is warm or hot. Frequently the turn signals seem to work early in the day and they quit as the day gets warmer. There does not seem to be any other correlation to when they work. Some mornings they do not work and then after I park they might or might not work when the car is restarted. When the turn signals work normally there is no problem. When they do not work the brake light on the side that should be signaling quits working when the turn signals are activated but not working. …
I have a couple of problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Impala that I recently purchased used. As far as I know using carfax to check there have been no accidents or anything that would logically cause the problems. Several mechanics have told me they couldn't find any obvious previous damage. When driving the turn signals will work completely at random for a short amount of time. I did not get a traffic ticket or had an accident. I had no idea what fixed this problem. Also, the car will not start on occasion. Normally, if I waited 10 - 60 minutes and tried it again it will eventually start. Vehicle left me stranded for an unknown amount of time. I was told by my mechanic that it will cost about $400 to fix this problem ,and that only a Chevrolet dealer could do it.
The turn signals are inoperative in normal driving modes, I can not show intent of left or right signaling. I brought the vehicle to the dealer and the signal assembly and the multi-function switch was thought to be defective and repaired for a cost of $557.00. Within a day, the signaling problems surfaced again and was then scheduled for a follow-up appointment. The vehicle was found to have a defective hazard warning switch, at a repair cost of an additional cost of $149.79. This is extremely a lot of money to pay for a defective part, and has caused much hardship. Please refer to 2001 Chevrolet malibu recall, NHTSA: 03V327000 and auto recall date 20030828. I am formally requesting financial assistance on this matter.
On my 2001 Impala, the turn signals sometime fail to operate - I have found that I can turn on the emergency flashers and then disengage them to restart normal turn signals. Instrument lights also dim at times making it impossible to read speed or any other instruments - problems do not necessarily occur together but can and it does at times - random in problem occurrence I also have a gas gauge problem where it will read full when it is not and show different amounts. Now it is starting to shut off without warning it will however restart. But sometimes shutdown after a couple of restarts before it stays running. This has occurred over the past several months and appears to be getting worse; mileage approx 105,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that he had a reference number from filing a complaint with the Chevrolet motor division 71-489286337. The turn signal stopped working without any reason. Just as the contact was changing lanes the turn signal stopped working. A service technician at a Chevrolet dealership told the contact that he should turn the hazard signal on and off and that the turn signal should work, and it did. The contact stated that the turn signal failed intermittently.this would indicate that the hazard switch failed. The current and failure mileage were both 70000. Updated 04/05/07.
NHTSA investigations
Alleged headlight failure
A total of 646,038 subject vehicles were sold during my 2001-2003, and the complaint and warranty data tabulated above apply to the total vehicle population.complaint reports alleging headlight outage represent slightly more that one-half of the total number of complaints and the balance are allegations of flickering and dimming.investigation disclosed the root cause of the malfunction to be wear of a contact…
Headlight complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 10% of the model year's 742 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Impala headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Impala headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.