2002 Chevrolet Impala Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  24
• Engine
  11
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  10
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  8
• Exhaust system
  5
• Engine › Gasoline
  2

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  76%
• 25k–50k
  1613%
• 50k–75k
  2318%
• 75k–100k
  2217%
• 100k–150k
  3124%
• 150k+
  2822%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Fuel system or backfire is what I believe happened to it. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was severely put at risk because the car exploded and caught fire while I was inside the car and fire came through the dash and air conditioner slots, anything could of happened whether shrapnel or burn. this also put others at risk if my spouse was in the car with me or the apartment complex I live in could have caught fire and endangered multiple people. No the issue has not been seen or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Yes the vehicle has been inspected by state fire marshal. No there was no warning lights or problems at all. We drove the car the night before, everything was normal and nothing was showing on the dash and the next day I jumped in, put my seat belt on and started the car to make sure it was running good and it exploded and caught flames.

My vehicle caught on fire after I returned from it getting serviced by Pepboys in Phenix City Alabama. My car was only getting serviced for the A/C and once I returned home, my car caught on fire in our drive port.

My daughter owned a 2002 Chevy Impala. On Monday 3/16/15, she was driving on the interstate and the engine began to smoke. She called me and I asked what color the smoke was. She said it was black smoke. I told her to immediately get herself and two small children out of the car. She and her sister removed the children and walked away while calling 911. A few seconds later, she heard a loud pop. The windshield busted from the apparent heat from the flame that were rising from the engine compartment. Within seconds, the engine was in flames. I've researched online, and found that there were two recalls in 2007 and 2009 stating that the engine could ignite. The car is a total loss. She had full coverage insurance on the car, but it's barely enough to replace it. Is there anything we can do about this?

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle. On one occasion while driving, there was a odor of burning oil and then suddenly there was a fire near the engine. The front passenger was able to extinguish the flames under the hood. The driver, the front passenger and rear child passenger inhaled smoke due to the fire that affected their breathing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, while stopped. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and was made aware that the vehicle caught on fire from underneath the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the notice was received after the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. VIN tool confirmed parts not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a strong odor of burning oil was noticed within the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine coolant) however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, smoke began to come from under the hood and the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to start the vehicle, there was a loud banging sound and smoke appeared under the hood. The space between the firewall and the engine block burst into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal odor of burning oil emerging from the vehicle. Additionally, there was oil on the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to modern Chevrolet (5955 university pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27105 [phone]) but, was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 186,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear engine valve cover and gasket leaked oil onto the exhaust manifold. A strong burning odor emitted inside the cabin. There were no flames visible. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Impala years