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2001 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

188 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
188
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
3
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • 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
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1
  • Cooling system: radiator assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Impala engine problems in other years

199420002005201020152020

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't start 70Stalling 49Check engine light 18Overheating 16Loss of power 11Engine failure 9Knocking 7

Related recalls

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

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

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 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 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.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Engine · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet impala. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact heard a loud bang and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. A fire started from underneath the hood and the contact's husband came outside and instructed her to grab the fire extinguisher. Her husband extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v116000 (engine, engine cooling), which she related directly with her failure. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was offered an amount for the repairs to the vehicle; however, there was no resolution to the matter. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 212,000 miles · NY · fire

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.

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Engine · 96,109 miles · KY

While driving the car the engine simply shuts off whether on the highway at 70 MPH, on city streets at 40 MPH or backing out of my driveway. Usually after waiting a few minutes it will restart. The problem began in february 2019 and has been ongoing. My mechanic has had the car multiple times and I have had the car towed to my mechanic 3 times making sure not to start the car. It has no codes stored to help my mechanic find the problem. They have tried several different things but as usually even when they kept it 2 weeks the car failed to stall on them when they test drove it. I have seen articles and even complaints on your website of this issue. This is serious and dangerous and I cannot believe a recall has not been issued.

Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala engine

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala have engine problems?

Owners have filed 188 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 25% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Impala engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Impala have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (229 complaints), 2009 (199 complaints) and 2001 (188 complaints).

Other 2001 Chevrolet Impala problems

Electrical 225Steering 76Lights 74Brakes 69Transmission 57Airbags 47Fuel system 39Driver assistance 23Suspension 18Visibility 18Body 12Acceleration 10Tires 9Seat belts 8Wheels 4Seats 3Locks 1

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