Problems · by component

2001 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

68 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala cite engine, 9% of all 747 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
68
9% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
26
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2023Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 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.”
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
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2019EngineODI 11288673
“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

Showing 6 of 68 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

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