2001 Chevrolet Impala: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 86,000 miles · NY

We've had numerous issues over the last few years including intermittent electrical issues, engine cutting out, engine lurching, and difficulty starting. Two particularly dangerous times were especially scary -- one time the engine cut out, without warning, while my son was driving in traffic, on a four lane road, with children in the car. The other time was when I was driving down a hill in a snow storm at night. The roads were slippery and I lost all power including the lights and power steering. We've spent at least $2000 for diagnostics/repairs for fuel system checks, electrical checks, new ignition, new ignition wires, new A/C compressor (A/C wouldn't cool), and one fuel injector replaced. For several months it didn't cut out but the engine would still lurch once in awhile. Four days ago my husband took it in for the key recall and the dealer said that the fuel injectors needed cleaning so we had it done. The car ran fantastic... Until today when out of the blue, while driving down the road at 30mph, the engine cut out after going over a bump in the road. We called the dealer and they said to keep a journal of when the issue happens again.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 150,012 miles · PR · crash

While driving through winding road, front left tire went into pothole causing ignition switch to turn engine off and lost power steering, causing loss of control and crash.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Electrical · 125,975 miles · NY

Was driving on interstate doing about 70/72 miles an hour when car shut off . Lost power steering, power brakes & lights. Managed to get it to the shoulder of the road & stopped. Car did restart. Car shut off several time after that when slowing down for a stop light or stop sign. Spent over $600.00 trying to get it fixed. Feel gm should have advised their dealerships about the problem when it was discovered in 2004. If dealership had been aware of problem they would have been able to fix it instead of trying several other costly things. I would still be drive the impala & not making a car payment.

Filed Aug 24, 2008 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · IL

I was passing another car, my car backfired, I then lost power. Returning home at a very slow speed. I noticed a burning smell, the exhaust was red hot. The problem was a burn hole in the plastic intake manifold which melted some electrical wiring.

Filed Aug 18, 2008 · Engine · 75,000 miles · GA

At around 75,000 miles, my 2001 impala began to lose power,particularly when accelerating. I tried fuel system cleaners, replaced fuel filter, air filter, etc. No help. Then one day a hole was blown through my intake manifold. That's right, the intake manifold. I took it to a local mechanic, because I knew I couldn't afford the gm dealership shop price, and was informed that the egr valve and catalytic converter were totally stopped up consequently trapping hot engine exhaust in the intake area with nowhere to go. The cost of parts and repairs cost me over $800. I have had many cars over the years and never had a catalytic converter completely stop up. According to my local mechanic this is a very common problem with this car model. I think gm should reimburse for this expense.

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Engine · 70,100 miles · NY

On 12/13/06 after 1 year of owning the vehicle we had a loss of power upon accelerating. We were advised the coolant was leaking. A common problem with this vehicle upon research. In addition, the coolant leaking onto the catalytic converter causing it to fail and need to be replaced. The manufacturer would not honor the warranty for the catalytic converter , claiming the coolant caused the problem and was not covered. Had to pay over $!,000 for repairs. 2 days later could not start the car. Was advised that these vehicles had an anti theft feature if work was done on the car it could cause the anti theft feature to fail and would be a need for a new ignition. Several hundred more dollars). As they would not cover this either. These failures were due to the awful design of the vehicle, and they should be recalled and the owner reimbursed for the cost of repairs. Here we go 7 months later and the vehicle was now in the shop again about the same type of failure , sluggish upon acceleration.

Filed Oct 13, 2005 · Engine · 122,000 miles · NC

On 6/29/05 I was driving down the road and loss power. The car would only go a few miles per hour. It was hesitating upon take off. I drove it home and called a tow truck. It was picked up and taken to a repair shop. I was told that I needed a catalytic converter. I paid to have a catalytic converter and all parts replaced.

Filed Oct 10, 2003 · Transmission · 32,245 miles · MI

My 2001 impala began having loss of power/slipping during acceleration at low speeds around 30,000 miles, dealer looked at car and could not duplicat 2 times. Car scontiued to have the problem and dealer felt that the valve body should be replaced and toe set. At 37,400 miles I was driving along and suddenly loss operation of vehicle whil going through intersection, coasted into gas station tried all gears of car and was unable to move car forward or reverse. Had car towed to dealership. Transmission repair of planetaries and bands was performed that was august 25, 2003. On september 10 check engine light came on and I had it diagnosed at independent mechanic shop and was told that 2 transmission codes were coming up they were 742 and 748. Gm extended warranty would not allow repair to be done by any one else but chevrolet dealership, I took the vehicle into dealership on october 6 and was told on the 9th that they could not duplicate the problem. I will be picking up my car tomorrow and waiting for the next time that the check engine light comes on to take it back to the dealer.

Filed Aug 14, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · CO

Consumer stated that while driving down the road lost power, all of the dashboard lights were gone. Electrical systems failed on the dashboard, but no where else. He was still able to roll the electrical windows up and down, and radio still came on. Also, airbag light came on, indicating there was a problem. Sometimes when this happened air conditioner did not work. This happened 3 times in the last 2 months. Consumer had taken vehicle to dealer/mechanic, and was told to disconnect the battery.this happened to reset the computer. But when this happened a second time , he took vehicle back to dealer/mechanic. They put vehicle on the computer, and could not find anything wrong with it, but yet they changed the ignition switch, which they said could be bad.

Filed Aug 1, 2003 · Engine · 41,451 miles · NJ

While driving 50 MPH the driver depressed the brake pedal and noticed that brake power was lost after the vehicle came to a stop and that it was vibrating. It was later determined that the air intake had worn through the computer sensor on the harness and caused a loss of vacuum to the power brakes, and loss all power to assist. *ak *cb

Filed Apr 16, 2003 · Engine · MD

My vehicle was towed to the dealership on 10 april,2003, the catalytic converter/ exhaust system had to be replaced, my car doesn't even have 47,000 miles on it and it is just barely 2 years old???? The engine lost all power, the parts were replaced, the transmission was flushed, but.... The vehicle still doesn't have the power that it should have and the transmission is not shifting like it should, now I was told that when the catalytic converter went that it sent pieces though the lines in the car, I did ask the dealer if this would be cause a problem with the engine or the transmission and the response was (it shouldn't) now this does sound like a problem to me.... I would like someone to look into this matter and give me a real answer on this problem...the problem that this vehicle had is kind of unheard of in the early stage of mileage and age.. The dealership was even confused on the problem, all computers that the car was placed on by different shops should nothing was wrong with the car, until it was put on a flat bed and taken to the dealer.... I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter....