While driving my 2014 Chevrolet Impala Limited Police vehicle, VIN [XXX], the engine unexpectedly shut off. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle subsequently would crank but would not start normally. A diagnostic scan produced code P069E, Fuel Pump Control Module Requested MIL Illumination. After the failure, the vehicle would crank without starting using the normal ignition. The vehicle was towed home. I attempted to start vehicle using the factory remote-start system. It started as normal with the remote-start system, but shut off after a few minutes. I am reporting this because an unexpected engine shutdown while the vehicle is in motion created a safety risk due to the sudden loss of engine power while driving. I found GM service information addressing P069E and fuel pump control-related conditions on 2014 Chevrolet Impala Limited vehicles, including GM bulletin PI1082. However, this VIN does not appear to be included in a recall or repair campaign for this condition. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and evaluate this incident, including whether similar engine-stall, no-start, fuel pump control module, or P069E complaints have been reported for 2014 Chevrolet Impala Limited vehicles outside any previously identified vehicle population. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Chevrolet Impala loss of power problems
580 of the 10,418 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Impala describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 580
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $580
- typical mileage
- 79,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 160Power steering loss 84Stalling 53Jerking 40Won't start 26ABS 26Grinding brakes 15Adaptive cruise 14
Trouble codes mentioned
P2138 13P2122 5P0601 3P2176 2P2135 2P1682 2P0121 2P2127 1P2119 1P16CF 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stabili-Trak warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering to become extremely firm. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact safely pulled over, and after the audible alarm ceased, the vehicle returned to normal operation. Additionally, the vehicle lost electrical power and stalled on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle frequently lost power. The contact stated that the battery terminals were disconnected and reconnected after the failure, and the vehicle operated for approximately 15 minutes before the vehicle stalled again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer had inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure. The dealer had retrieved several unknown fault codes. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed.
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power and there was black smoke coming from the right side of the engine compartment. The contact then parked the vehicle and opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Loss of power steering
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact's wife was able to drive to the residence before the steering wheel seized. The "Service Power Steering, Drive with Care" messages were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
My car sometimes cuts off while driving. Was on highway 301 running about 60 mph in the middle lane and just lost power no warning. No code no nothing. Sacred me, I truly feel that's a safety issue, for me and the cars behind me. It's bad not knowing when or where this will happen again.
Complete loss of power assist steering resulting in difficulty in steering the vehicle at any speed. DIC messages indicate: loss of power steering, drive with caution, service traction control, and service ABS. ABS and traction control warning lights remain on and illuminated while driving. These indicators occur each time the vehicle is restarted. This problem originally started about two and a half months ago, and the power steering loss, for a while, was intermittent until recently. The vehicle has not been inspected been inspected by mechanics to date. I have researched hundreds of Impalas online with the same problem with a majority of them remaining unresolved and no manufacturer recall being issued. The vehicle mileage is currently 31, 104 miles and is not driven often because of the problem and the fact that I own two other vehicles.
While driving vehicle warning light service stabilitrak....reduced engine power comes on. Vehicle then slows and can not drive over 20 to 30 mph. This has occurred randomly at highway speeds while driving on interstate in traffic. Sudden reduction caused traffic to have to slow quickly and almost caused a collision.
While driving the car electrical system will lose all power and reset. This happens often.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- 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 engines 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 cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
- Risk
- The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
Recall number 15V201000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- 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 engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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
Questions about the Chevrolet Impala loss of power
Which Chevrolet Impala years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (128 complaints), 2011 (83 complaints) and 2008 (76 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Chevrolet Impala?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $580 (median of 42 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Impala?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history