2002 Chevrolet Impala: check engine light

Filed Apr 5, 2019 · Engine · 196,000 miles · NC

Last year I bought my car from a private dealer. Since purchasing it, my car always seems to be running hot. My "check engine coolant" light use to come on so often, I went out and purchased another radiator hose and clamps and got the light to turn off. However the issue with my car running hot has not gone away. I'm scared that this is a bigger issue than coolant and it could create a fire and after reading the recall, I am afraid to drive until this problem is fixed.

Filed Jan 7, 2016 · Engine · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that smoke was coming from the hood. In addition, the check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 79,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. While driving 25 MPH, the battery light illuminated. The contact drove to a stop light and the vehicle shut down completely. The vehicle restarted after approximately 20 minutes. The contact replaced the battery, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure recurred and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the air conditioning fans were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2014 · Engine · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted after numerous attempts. An independent mechanic replaced the motor, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 28, 2012 · Electrical · 137,159 miles · AZ

Went to turn on the car; all lights locks radio windows worked. When I turned key to on position car would not turn on. Security light and check engine lights would come on. Car wouldn't turn on for ten minutes then it turned on. Also, while driving security light will come on and stay on until car is turn off and back on. Sometimes security light will stay on. In addition, to security light and car not wanting to turn on, turn signals will randomly stop working and I have to turn hazard lights on and off to get turn signals to work again.

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Engine · 157,500 miles · MI

My impala stops running while im driving on or off the freeway but especially when im driving at a speed of 55 to 65mph when on freeway without warning, the engine light comes and power steering is lost.

Filed Sep 1, 2011 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NJ

My well-maintained 2002 chevy impala, 3.4l v6, base model shut off a couple days ago while driving on the highway. I was accelerating, as the traffic was finally picking up. That's when I felt the car jerk and suddenly shut off. It was horrifying - the brake pedal & steering wheel locked, so I forcibly turned the wheel with all my strength, coasted to the shoulder, with two near-collisions, pressed the emergency brake, then shifted to park. The red battery symbol was illuminated on the dashboard as if the key was set to "on", but no check engine light. I noticed the headlights and the dash lights were off, but I believe that's because the car shut off (which is what would normally happen after shutting off a car with auto-off lights). Several attempts to start only resulted in sounds of a car struggling to turn over, but never actually turning. Eventually the car stuttered, but started. I was back in highway traffic, and after a few minutes of driving, it shut off again. Same drill - coasted off the road, and several failed attempts to start before finally starting. Back on the road, a few minutes later, it happened again. After 2 more episodes of this, instead of struggling to start, the wasn't even coming close. The car radio and hazard lights were still working. Which LED me to believe that constant starting attempts may have exhausted the battery. After a successful start, I was able to drive it home, using local roads for fear of a highway crash. 25 minutes later, the car was still running just fine. It didn't shut off again until I was parked at home and idling for a few minutes. Everytime it shut off, I'd see *no* check engine light, *no* warnings from the mil, though it's fully functional. The next day I moved the car for alternate side parking and it started up just fine, no hesitation. Several more starts since monday - no hesitation or problem. I'm afraid to drive it long for now, for fear of an imminent crash. This could be fatal.

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · FL

2002 impala in the check engine light box the low coolant light and the security lights also shows and the battery light then the engine dies in the middle of traffic I have seen so many and more people with impalas in dangerous moments talking of it online could you please have chevy correct this deadly mess got the problem fixed then it started back I do have kids active in school sports needing transportation I can not describe how being stranded in traffic makes me feel.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

2002 chevrolet impala. The tire pressure light and engine light had to be reset. *dt the consumer stated the check engine light only stayed off for 12 miles the last time it was reset by the dealership. The entire braking system had to be replaced only 2 years after purchasing the vehicle. The rotors cracked on all four wheels. The blinkers would only work if the air conditioner was off and the radio would only work if the blinkers were off and when going up hills. The vehicle would only accelerate to a speed of 10-15 MPH.

Filed Jul 25, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · LA

It started back in 2002 a few months I purchased my 2002 impala. It was a used car with 15,000 miles. The check engine and low coolant light came on. Took it to the dealership and had the water pump and low coolant sensor replaced. A week later, low coolant light comes on again. Again took it to dealership and had to replace another sensor. That happen 10 times during the same year. As of now, july 2009, the light is still on. In 2007, my vehicle started to run hot. Was told I needed the manifold intake gasket, thermostat and hoses replaced which would of cost me over $1000.00. I couldn't afford it. I got a local mechanic to replace everything which he charged me $300.00. Just recently, I've been having problems starting my car especially after I drive it for a while. I'm a single mother who goes to school and work and this is my only means of transportation. This car has been giving me the blues the past few years and I'm sick of it. All this started with about 150,000 miles and currently I have about 168,000 miles. I will get a better, dependable vehicle later this year and I won't buy another gm vehicle again.

Filed Feb 27, 2009 · Engine · OK

2002 chevy impala - did fine the first year or so. Engine light started coming on. Long story short - been having to make sure there's always antifreeze for years now and hoping and praying I don't end up on the side of the road. Now I'm noticing having to add 1/2 to 3/4 gallon of antifreeze everyday. Temp light goes off and on. Engine light went off which worries me more than when it's on. Now noticing antifreeze burning after I have drove it a little while. Leaves me a little puddle now each night. Seems to lose antifreeze more in the winter while running the heater than it does in the summer. Tired of stressing about the pos!!!!!!!!!

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 76,000 miles · IN

In january 2006 my 2002 impala loss power. I was going up a very small hill and I didn't think I was going to make it up. I took my car to my local mom and pop's garage and they put it on the computer. It showed that the catalytic converter was bad eventhough the check engine light did not come on. I had them replace not knowing that the car was still under warranty for emissions and they didn't use a gm part. A few months later, the check engine light did come on. Again it showed the catalytic converter as the problem. The service technician said he had never had any problems with putting a non-dealer part on a car before but did replace the converter once again with a non-gm part in case the first one happened to be a bad part. A couple of months later the check engine light is back on. Took it to the dealership and the catalytic converter shows as well as the transmission. Of course, they wouldn't make good on the catalytic converter by this time because it was out of warranty and it wasn't the original gm part. I was told that it would cost $775 just for them to look at the transmission. I cannot afford this and just brought the car home. I'm still driving it but it's worse and worse every day. I wouldn't trust driving this car very far. I've read many complaints on the catalytic converter & the transmission that you would think gm would have to step up and do something. At this point I would never purchase another gm vehicle and my husband is diehard gm. I've taken very good care of this car hoping that it would last until my daughter starts driving and I could hand it trustingly down to her but that's not going to be the case. My husband doesn't take care of his trucks like I would and he still has a 1995 that runs good.