Chevrolet Impala Engine and Engine Cooling Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 673 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 673 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Impala across 17 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (159). The words owners use most often: “intake manifold” (16% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Intake manifold: mentioned in 109 of 673 complaints (16%)
  • Low coolant: mentioned in 34 of 673 complaints (5%)
  • Catalytic converter: mentioned in 34 of 673 complaints (5%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Chevrolet Impala at $1,250, and half of them between $1,000 and $1,650.

Based on 56 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?

Based on 448 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles28 · 6%
10k–25k miles22 · 5%
25k–50k miles79 · 18%
50k–75k miles114 · 25%
75k–100k miles91 · 20%
100k–150k miles83 · 19%
150k+ miles31 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 673 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 61 a fire, 10 an injury.

Chevrolet Impala engine and engine cooling complaints by model year

Peak: 2000, with 159 complaints
1995: 2199521996: 10102000: 15920001592001: 1231232002: 10620021062003: 80802004: 362004362005: 31312006: 272006272007: 30302008: 262008262009: 21212010: 6201062011: 992012: 3201232013: 222014: 220142

n = 673 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine and Engine Cooling complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2014 Impala20%7,325
2013 Impala21%68,183
2012 Impala31%25,300
2011 Impala92%60,450
2010 Impala61%76,964
2009 Impala213%70,000
2008 Impala263%60,000
2007 Impala305%58,000
2006 Impala275%44,000
2005 Impala315%63,018
2004 Impala363%78,500
2003 Impala8012%69,764
2002 Impala10613%75,000
2001 Impala12317%75,495
2000 Impala15919%74,900
1996 Impala1011%—
1995 Impala25%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2009, with 64 complaints
1997: 319971999: 22000: 2620002001: 212002: 2320022003: 582004: 4920042005: 522006: 3920062007: 452008: 5620082009: 64642010: 5220102011: 472012: 3320122013: 142014: 3820142015: 172016: 2620162017: 12018: 320182019: 12021: 120212023: 2

n = 673 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

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

Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

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 cooling:engineApr 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V201000 · 330,742 vehicles

Model years: 2004

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

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

Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

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.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the driver 's side power master door lock switch was inoperable. The messages "Monitor Tie System" and "Monitor Battery System" were displayed. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were operating at a slower speed than…

Received Apr 4, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11515441

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…

Received Jan 5, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11500337

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle after waiting approximately 5-10 minutes. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated…

Received Aug 30, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11431065

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY MISFIRED AND PERFORMED…

Received Jan 11, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11166492

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet impala. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed smoke under the hood. The contact turned the vehicle off and allowed it to cool down. After, approximately 5 to 10 minutes, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact noticed that the engine…

Received Aug 14, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11119845
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 Chevrolet Impalas have engine and engine cooling problems?

No. NHTSA has 673 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Chevrolet Impala. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Impala engine and engine cooling?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Impala?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $1,000 and $1,650), from 56 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

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

The most frequent phrase is “intake manifold”, in 109 of 673 complaints, followed by “low coolant” (34).

Other Chevrolet Impala problems

See all Chevrolet Impala problems.