Problems · by component

2001 Chevrolet Impala electrical system problems

225 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala cite electrical system, 30% of all 747 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
225
30% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11440988
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11352471
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2020Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11324713
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2019Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineFire reportedODI 11241397
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2019Electrical system, EngineODI 11184691
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2018Electrical systemODI 11144202

Showing 6 of 225 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.