2001 Chevrolet Impala engine and engine cooling problems

“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.”

“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.”

“2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIPS FAILURE TO REPAIR VEHICLE OIL LEAKAGE BEFORE CONSUMER RECEIVED ENGINE OIL DEPOSITS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL ALL THE TIME AND 15 YEARS LATER, SHE RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE. *JB”

“I WAITED FOR RECALL PARTS (IGNITION AND OIL LEAK) AND HAD THEM COMPLETED 4/13/16. ON 4/22/16 MY CAR STARTED SMOKING COMING OFF THE FREEWAY, I PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE STALLED, PEOPLE YELLED TO GET OUT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN FRONT OF ENGINE AND PROCEEDED THOUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNING ALL PLASTICS AND WIRING. DEALERSHIP SAYS I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE FULL INSURANCE COVERAGE. HOW CAN THAT BE, MY CAR WAS FINE UNTIL THEY WORKED ON IT. DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO VERY RUDE AND CONDESCENDING. I HOPE ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS AREN'T THE SAME. I GAVE DEALERSHIP 7 DAYS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME NO ONE CAN HELP ME. I ALMOST BURNED UP IN THIS VEHICLE.”

“2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO RETURN COMMUNICATION FROM DEALERSHIP ABOUT VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR RECALL NOTICE 15V701. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE ON A RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND QUICKLY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE FRONT END WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. UPDATED 01/03/17. *JB”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ”