The car can have moments of power loss where the speedometer suddenly, erratically spikes while the tachometer slightly lags. It almost stalled my vehicle while transmission was in drive while stopped. It feels like dragging when the power loss occurs. This has occurred randomly for the past month, mostly during interstate driving with cruise control operating. It has happened the last six times I have driven, but the previous several times it did not occur. It also occurred in a similar random fashion for the prior two weeks. When it does occur it feels like power drain and deceleration that can last a second and this will occur several times during a twenty minute drive at 70mph. Mechanics at two shops seem confused and don't know where to begin except for a transmission fluid flush. That was completed and the problem has persisted. There are no related error codes. To lose power suddenly and unexpectedly could cause an accident especially if a system failure shuts off the vehicle while driving. This vehicle has had an oil consumption/burning problem since I bought it with around 60,000miles. It needed 2 quarts of oil added between the last oil changes. I have spent $1400 in July of this year on gasket replacements and that did not stop the leak. More gasket heads and an oil pan are going to be need to replaced and the estimate is another $1400. This is too much to be spending on possibly related issues in a short time span that may not resolve the problem.
Chevrolet Impala oil consumption problems
26 of the 10,418 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Impala describe excessive oil consumption, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 26
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 108,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 4Transmission failure 2Slipping 2Misfire 2Check engine light 2ABS 2Wipers 1Stalling 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P1811 1C1218 1
What owners say
As many other 5.3 liter gm vehicles during this period, my car has been burning oil, fouling spark plugs, and throwing check engine lights for many years due to this all-too common issue. It is a safety hazard, and all gm vehicles with this motor issue should be recalled and fixed. It poses a serious hazard when you attempt to pull out into the road and the car sputters and misfires and you have no power because oil is seaping past the rings.
The car needs and burns too much oil and it's a common problem there's a lot of people complaining about please help I have to change oil every 2 months and there's no leaks or anything just that it burns oil too quick
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal odor of burning oil emerging from the vehicle. Additionally, there was oil on the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to modern chevrolet (5955 university pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27105 (336) 793-5943) but, was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 186,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the remedy was not sufficient. The rear valve covers were not included in the manufacturer recall repair and the contact continued to smell fumes of burning oil. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle would need to be taken to the dealer to replace the rear valve covers. The dealer stated that the manufacturer instructed the dealers not to supply a replacement part until it was in production and supplied to the dealer. The contact was unable to determine when the manufacturer would supply the replacement engine beauty cover. The contact was experiencing leaks associated with the valves. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
Car was parked I started it and began driving my ABS just went crazy. The pump was trying to engage over and over again even while driving. When I hit the ABS off button this problem continued. I feel this car could at anytime have something in the break or tire area just compeletly fail. Along with another list of issues including burning oil from the gasket. Please tell me if there is anything that can be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle. On one occasion while driving, there was a odor of burning oil and then suddenly there was a fire near the engine. The front passenger was able to extinguish the flames under the hood. The driver, the front passenger and rear child passenger inhaled smoke due to the fire that affected their breathing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet impala. While driving 25 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there would be a surcharge to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a strong odor of burning oil was noticed within the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine coolant) however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. While driving at various speeds, the contact smelled burning oil coming from the vehicle without warning. In addition, smoke emitted under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v201000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 116,000.
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 oil consumption
Which Chevrolet Impala years have excessive oil consumption problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (5 complaints), 2006 (5 complaints) and 2000 (3 complaints).
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