CHEVROLET IMPALA · model year

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA

959 NHTSA complaints, 55 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001CHEVROLETIMPALA carries 959 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 55 crashes, 87 fires, 60 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 IMPALA is electrical system with 187 filings, followed by engine (68) and engine and engine cooling (53). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2001 IMPALA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

959
Complaints
55
Crashes
87
Fires
60
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

959 filings

Crashes Reported

55 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM187
ENGINE68
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING53
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION45
STEERING37
AIR BAGS33
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL22
EXTERIOR LIGHTING22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE16
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM14

Recalls (10)

00V24400029/08/2000

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULES (SDM) COULD EXPERIENCE A MEMORY ERROR RESULTING IN THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A CRASH SITUATION.

15V70100026/10/2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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,

01V13600024/04/2001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.4L ENGINE AND NON-ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." A FUEL RETURN LINE CAN BECOME SEVERED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE.

08E06300017/10/2008

STEERING

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU

09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN

00V37100013/11/2000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

07E02100012/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

09V11600008/04/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 DROP

00V22800307/08/2000

SEAT BELTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHI

14V40000003/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 agen

Recent Complaints

20230617ENGINE

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.

20230617STEERING

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.

20230617VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

20230105FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 165,000

20220205AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BUT NO DEPLOYMENT.

20211119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20211119ENGINE

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.

20211119FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20211006ENGINE

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

20210531ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a 2001 Chevy impala and it has an instrument cluster issue with faulty warning lights and locking the radio and not wanting to start

20210531VISIBILITY/WIPER

I have a 2001 Chevy impala and it has an instrument cluster issue with faulty warning lights and locking the radio and not wanting to start

20200908EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN GO OFF. USED TO BE ABLE TO LET THE CAR SIT A FEW HOURS AND THEY WOULD WORK AGAIN. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO THEY WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT....WON'T COME BACK ON AT ALL. PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, TURN SIGNALS, AND 4 WAY FLASHERS STILL WORK, PULL SWITCH LEVER BACK FOR BRIGHT LIGHTS AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORK IN BRIGHT MODE AS LONG AS YOU KEEP HOLDING BACK ON THE LEVER. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. REPLACED HAZARD FLASHERS SWITHC, REPLACED MUTLIFUNCTION SWITCH, REPLACED HEADLIGHTS SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOW LIGHTS ARE OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON NO MATTER WHAT WE TRY.....LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS IS HUGE PROBLEM FOR IMPALA'S COVERING ALOT OF YEARS, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN YOU LOOSE YOUR HEADLIGHTS TOTALLY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING.......ONCE THEY GO OUT/OFF IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU STOP, PA

Mileage: 245,000

20200901ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 149,000

20200901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 149,000

20200901ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 149,000

20200819ENGINE

ENGINE OIL LEAKS ON MANIFOLD AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE

Mileage: 172,000

20200515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20200515ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20200515STEERING

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20191212ENGINE

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.

Compare 2001CHEVROLETIMPALA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
The 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 959 NHTSA complaints, 55 crashes, 87 fires, 60 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Yes, the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 10 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The most-complained component for the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 187 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.