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2001 Chevrolet Impala problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala is electrical system, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical Impala model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Year score
55/100
Owner complaints
741
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
454
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20-22mpg
Typical repair
$600

The worst 2001 Chevrolet Impala problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

Won't start 70Stalling 49Fire or smoke 47ABS 37Headlights 27Airbag light 20Check engine light 18Transmission failure 17Grinding brakes 16Overheating 16Harsh shifting 15No deployment 12Loss of power 11Steering noise 11Ball joint 10Fuel gauge 10Jerking 10Engine failure 9Adaptive cruise 8Fuel pump 8Brake failure 7Knocking 7Power steering loss 7Premature wear 6Warning lights 6Wipers 6Tire blowout 5

Recalls 7

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Risk
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Risk
If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
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. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported April 24, 2001 · 126,745 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 3.4l engine and non-antilock braking system (ABS). These vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." a fuel return line can become severed in a frontal collision, resulting in fuel spillage.
Risk
If an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install a brake master cylinder bracket that will maintain positioning of the fuel line in a frontal crash. Owner notification began june 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020.

Recall number 01V136000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported November 13, 2000 · 12 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles exhibit a condition in which the driver side impact air bag inflator separates from the air bag module during deployment.
Risk
If the inflator separates, the air bag will not deploy properly during a crash and occupant protection would be reduced. If is also possible that a separated inflator could be propelled downward and could result in injury to a rear seat passenger whose foot is positioned approximately under the inflator module.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.

Recall number 00V371000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported August 29, 2000 · 580 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (sdm) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation.
Risk
In a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.

Recall number 00V244000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported August 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Recall number 00V228003 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

Defect investigations

Alleged headlight failureOpened May 15, 2006, closed October 25, 2006

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 plunger in the multifunction switch that may result in a temporary open circuit, with the plunger in a neutral position between high- and low-beam contact points.consumers consistently reported that manipulation of the switch handle on the steering column restores either high or low beam headlight function.no other potential safety related issues, e.g., fires or windshield wiper failure, were found to be related to this issue.the manufacturer recognized the subject headlight issues from failure and warranty reports, and issued a redesigned plunger in 2003. The manufacturer did not identify a defect requiring recall and remedy.odi has determined that the rates of occurrence, the failure mode and the real-world consequence of the alleged defect as compared to other similar investigations fail to identify a safety-related defect trend.this preliminary evaluation has been closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency may take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE06017

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala 454

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 454 bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

2001 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.4L 6‑cylFWD192922
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1727-2820-21

What 2001 Chevrolet Impala owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 17, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

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.

Filed Jan 5, 2023 · Engine · 165,000 miles · WA · fire

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(253) 656-0459) 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.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Airbags · MT

Air bag light is on but no deployment.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine · MO

When the Mass Airflow Sensor gets dirty, engine shuts off..

Filed May 31, 2021 · Electrical, Visibility · NY

I have a 2001 Chevy impala and it has an instrument cluster issue with faulty warning lights and locking the radio and not wanting to start

Filed Sep 8, 2020 · Lights · 245,000 miles · MN

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. Now lights are off and won't come back on no matter what we try.....looking on the internet this is huge problem for impala's covering alot of years, this is a very dangerous issue when you loose your headlights totally at night while driving.......once they go out/off it doesn't matter if you stop, park, move, bang on them, wiggle wires and connectors, they may or may not come back on. So far, this time, ours are not coming back on......can't keep throwing money away to a dealer when they can't fix the problem either. They just want to start throwing parts at it and hopefully they finally fix it....that hasn't worked so far either.....

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 149,000 miles · NC

My car shuts off when driving. The security light comed on. Sometimes no power to start so I seitch keyd. There been a recall but was not properly fixed. My life is in danger driving and I replaced so many parts that was never the problem.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Engine · 172,000 miles · MN

Engine oil leaks on manifold and could cause a fire

Filed May 15, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · AR

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Chevrolet Impala before you buy

Compare the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

Owners have filed 741 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 1.4 times a typical Impala model year.

What is the 2001 Chevrolet Impala year score?

The 2001 Chevrolet Impala scores 55 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Impala: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?

Electrical system, with 225 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is engine (188).

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala have?

7 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Impala have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (681 complaints), 2005 (331 complaints) and 2002 (305 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 29 highway.

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