RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Impala Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
742
Latest Jun 17, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
100
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 31, 2000

What this page shows

Our database holds 742 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 742 · page 1 of 30

Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Jun 17, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11527526
Incident
Jun 17, 2023
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2023
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11500337
Incident
Jan 2, 2023
Mileage
165,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 5, 2022

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BUT NO DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID
11450609
Incident
Jan 10, 2019
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 19, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11440988
Incident
Nov 19, 2021
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2021

When the Mass Airflow Sensor gets dirty, engine shuts off..

NHTSA ID
11435801
Incident
Oct 6, 2021
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 31, 2021

I have a 2001 Chevy impala and it has an instrument cluster issue with faulty warning lights and locking the radio and not wanting to start

NHTSA ID
11419132
Incident
May 7, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 8, 2020

BOTH HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN GO OFF. USED TO BE ABLE TO LET THE CAR SIT A FEW HOURS AND THEY WOULD WORK AGAIN. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO THEY WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT....WON'T COME BACK ON AT ALL. PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, TURN SIGNALS, AND 4 WAY FLASHERS STILL WORK, PULL SWITCH LEVER BACK FOR BRIGHT LIGHTS AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORK IN BRIGHT MODE AS LONG AS YOU KEEP HOLDING BACK ON THE LEVER. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. REPLACED HAZARD FLASHERS SWITHC, REPLACED MUTLIFUNCTION SWITCH, REPLACED HEADLIGHTS SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOW LIGHTS ARE OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON NO MATTER WHAT WE TRY.....LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS IS HUGE PROBLEM FOR IMPALA'S COVERING ALOT OF YEARS, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN YOU LOOSE YOUR HEADLIGHTS TOTALLY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING.......ONCE THEY GO OUT/OFF IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU STOP, PARK, MOVE, BANG ON THEM, WIGGLE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. SO FAR, THIS TIME, OURS ARE NOT COMING BACK ON......CAN'T KEEP THROWING MONEY AWAY TO A DEALER WHEN THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THEY JUST WANT TO START THROWING PARTS AT IT AND HOPEFULLY THEY FINALLY FIX IT....THAT HASN'T WORKED SO FAR EITHER.....

NHTSA ID
11353772
Incident
Sep 2, 2020
Mileage
245,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 1, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11352471
Incident
Jul 16, 2020
Mileage
149,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2020

ENGINE OIL LEAKS ON MANIFOLD AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE

NHTSA ID
11350190
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
Mileage
172,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed May 15, 2020

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID
11324713
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2019

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID
11288673
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 2, 2019
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11241397
Incident
Jul 3, 2019
Mileage
212,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11231604
Incident
Feb 22, 2019
Mileage
96,109 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER LOCATED IN FRENDALE, MICHIGAN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11204527
Incident
Oct 21, 2015
Exterior lightingSeat beltsSteering
Filed Apr 18, 2019

TAKATA RECALL WHEN GOING TO FASTEN SEAT BELT IT WILL NOT FASTEN YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH IT A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE IT WILL LATCH AND SOMETIMES WILL UNLATCH WHILE DRIVING. TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER FRONT BLINKER BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT AFTER BUYING NUMEROUS BULBS IT STILL WILL NOT WORK. TAKATA RECALL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO GO AROUND A CURVE IT TIGHTENS UP LIKE THE STEERING PUMP IS GOING OUT BUT IT ONLY DOES IT WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO TURN, ALSO WHILE DRIVING ITS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD SWAYING AROUND.

NHTSA ID
11197093
Incident
Apr 3, 2019
Mileage
343,232 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE CONTACT USUALLY HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,632.

NHTSA ID
11184691
Incident
Mar 2, 2019
Mileage
67,632 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 12, 2019
Fire reported

MY SONS CHEVY IMPALA WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY UNTOUCHED FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN HE GOT IN IT AND TURNED THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED AND CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE. WHILE ONLINE I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS!!! WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED? HE COULD HAVE DIED. AND IF I WASN'T IN THE YARD TO REACT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY HOUSE COULD HAVE GONE UP WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11176528
Incident
Feb 10, 2019
Mileage
165,000 mi
Filed Feb 4, 2019
Fire reported

MY SON'S 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA CAUGHT FIRE WHEN HE WAS TURNING THE IGNITION TO CRANK THE VEHICLE. HE WAS AT COLLEGE IN THE PARKING LOT AND THE FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. HE CLAIMS THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND SMOKE BEGAN ROLLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 132000 MILES. FROM READING A LOT OF POSTS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WE ONLY HAVE LIABILITY AND DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX OR BUY HIM A NEW VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT INJURED. NEED HELP!! THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT AT LA. TECH UNIVERSITY IN RUSTON, LA.

NHTSA ID
11174330
Incident
Feb 3, 2019
Mileage
132,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 25, 2019
1 injury reported

I HAVE AN IDEA THAT I TOOK TO DAVIS INVENTION COMPANY T LIKE IT 2 YEARS AGO THE CAR CO.'S DON'T WANT BECAUSE IT WILL STOP ACCIDENT. CAR MAKER SAID TOO ME THEY SELL PART TOO. SO THAT LEAVES THE INSURANCE CO THAT PAYS FOR -THE PART PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE FROM YOUR RESEARCH DEPT CALL ME AT [XXX] SO I CAN TELL YOU MORE ABOUT IT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *DT *TR

NHTSA ID
11172108
Incident
Apr 26, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 30, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO MOVE WHILE IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JEFF DRENNEN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC OF ZANESVILLE (3625 MAPLE AVE, ZANESVILLE, OH 43701 (740) 630-0548) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TT CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE CAR.*JB

NHTSA ID
11144202
Incident
Oct 16, 2018
Mileage
116,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 I WAS IN A AUTO ACCIDENT MY CAR ROLLED DOWN HILL AND NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOY I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT IN WHICH I FELL OUT OF . MY ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON [XXX] MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *TT

NHTSA ID
11110790
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Mileage
109,000 mi
ElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jul 8, 2018

TAKATA RECALLI HAVE CALLED CHEVY ABOUT THE RECALLS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. IT IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TURNS ON AND OFF , THE SECURITY MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP TO WERE IT WONT LET ME TURN ON THE CAR. IVE SEEN MAY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ISSUES I HAVE. IVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR MONTHS

NHTSA ID
11110131
Incident
Jun 30, 2018
Electrical
Filed Jun 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. IN ADDITION, AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE MADE A "HUMMING NOISE" WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED AND WAS STILL ACTIVELY CONSUMING POWER IN THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR, AND THE STARTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE DEALER (F.H. DAILEY CHEVROLET, 800 DAVIS ST, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577, (510) 394-3783) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IN 2014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11104731
Incident
Jun 29, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE CONTACT SAW A SERVICE BULLETIN ONLINE REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11080841
Incident
Mar 22, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2018

I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS IN FACT HAVE THE SAME IGNITION STARTING ISSUES ALSO AS OTHER CHEVY IMPALAS.. WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO START VEHICLE AS TO INITIATE ENGINE RUN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CEASES ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE IGNITION COIL. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER & AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE THE INITIAL TURNING THE KEY IGNITION STARTS THE ENGINE. FURTHER FAQ PERTAINING TO THIS FLAW WITH ALL SIMILAR CHEVY IMPALA ALL COME TO THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE TURNING ON DEFECTS. ALL WITH DIFFERENT METHODS OF TURNING BUTTONS ON & OFF AS TO INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS AFTER REPEATED HAIL MARY METHODS. AS I HAVE DONE SO MYSELF AFTER EVERY TROUBLE SHOOTING BY SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS FROM PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOPS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. RESPECTFULLY YOURS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID
11074221
Incident
Jun 20, 2014

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .