2001 Chevrolet Impala Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 17, 2023 · 68 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 9% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 138,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (25% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Engine cooling: mentioned in 17 of 68 complaints (25%)
  • Caught fire: mentioned in 15 of 68 complaints (22%)
  • Intake manifold: mentioned in 5 of 68 complaints (7%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 44 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 2%
10k–25k miles1 · 2%
25k–50k miles1 · 2%
50k–75k miles6 · 14%
75k–100k miles3 · 7%
100k–150k miles13 · 30%
150k+ miles19 · 43%

How serious are the reports?

Of 68 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 2 an injury.

Chevrolet Impala engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 179 complaints
1999: 119992000: 712001: 6820012002: 752003: 8820032004: 712005: 3020052006: 592007: 7720072008: 1342009: 17920091792010: 882011: 12520112012: 402013: 3020132014: 562015: 1920152016: 212017: 2120172018: 72019: 220192020: 1

n = 1,263 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Impala17%—
2019 Impala27%2,800
2018 Impala712%29,410
2017 Impala2118%46,000
2016 Impala2119%70,000
2015 Impala196%71,000
2014 Impala569%60,000
2013 Impala3011%48,000
2012 Impala4016%40,000
2011 Impala12525%77,000
2010 Impala8820%77,500
2009 Impala17922%89,000
2008 Impala13417%98,660
2007 Impala7712%100,000
2006 Impala5911%112,500
2005 Impala305%128,550
2004 Impala717%120,784
2003 Impala8813%120,000
2002 Impala759%134,000
2001 Impala689%138,000
2000 Impala719%146,852
1999 Impala125%200,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 20 complaints
2012: 3201232013: 3201332014: 142014142015: 122015122016: 202016202017: 4201742019: 6201962020: 3202032021: 2202122023: 120231

n = 68 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engineOct 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 engine’s 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.

Engine and engine coolingApr 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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.

Received Jun 17, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11527526

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.

Received Nov 19, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11440988

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

Received Oct 6, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11435801
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala (2014–2020) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2001 Chevrolet Impalas have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 68 owner complaints about engine for the 2001 Chevrolet Impala (9% of the 742 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala engine?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 138,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?

The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 17 of 68 complaints, followed by “caught fire” (15).

Other 2001 Chevrolet Impala problems

See all 2001 Chevrolet Impala problems or engine problems across all Impala years.