2001 Chevrolet IMPALA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
742 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 475 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 187 of 742 complaints (25.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 118 | 15.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 115 | 15.5% |
| Steering behavior | 83 | 11.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 51 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 47 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 16 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 187 |
| Engine | 68 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 53 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 45 |
| Steering | 37 |
| Air Bags | 33 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 |
Electrical System: 187; Engine: 68; Engine And Engine Cooling: 53; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 45; Steering: 37; Air Bags: 33; Unknown Or Other: 23; Exterior Lighting: 22
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 88 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 83 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 73 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 112 |
| 150,000 and above | 72 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 88; 50,000 to 74,999: 83; 75,000 to 99,999: 73; 100,000 to 149,999: 112; 150,000 and above: 72
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (112). 267 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 57 |
| 2003 | 67 |
| 2004 | 72 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 35 |
| 2007 | 37 |
| 2008 | 36 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2000: 5; 2001: 30; 2002: 57; 2003: 67; 2004: 72; 2005: 68; 2006: 35; 2007: 37; 2008: 36; 2009: 46; 2010: 41; 2011: 31; 2012: 16; 2013: 16; 2014: 67; 2015: 37; 2016: 40; 2017: 16; 2018: 6; 2019: 9; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 118 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 115 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 83 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000055 · 2002-12-14 (December 14, 2002)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING ACCELERATOR TO STICK AND USING CRUISE CONTROL DOES THE SAME. CAUSING WRECK WITH INJURIES AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT UPON IMPACT OF CRASH WITH SPEED OVER 55 MPH TO HEAD ON INTO TO TREE. COULD NOT STOP CAR EVEN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND HAD TO TURN KEY OFF TO STOP CAR FROM BLOWING UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000440 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
DEFECTIVE ROTORS. WARP EVERY 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE LEADING TO ACCIDENT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 12,374 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001935 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CUSTOMER STATES DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER TEST DROVE AND FOUND THAT THE LIGHTS FLICKER, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE DROP IN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, AND SHOULD NOT CAUSE LIGHTS OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 19,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001250 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP BLEW, THE ROOF MOLDING WAS LIFTING ON BOTH SIDES, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW LEAKS AIR AND THE WINDOW HITS HARD IN THE TOP OF THE DOOR JAM, WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TIE ROD ENDS YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003765 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STEERING SHAFT MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005196 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE GASOLINE SLOSHING AROUND IN THE TANK. WHEN TAKING OFF, IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING SHIFTING OR ROLLING AROUND IN THE TRUNK. WHEN COMING TO STOP, IT FEELS LIKE BEING BUMPED IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006328 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032000 · 2003-08-04 (August 4, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED OR STOPPING VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167539 · 2006-09-07 (September 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN ACCOMPANIED BY A VIBRATION. THE BANGING AND THE VIBRATION BECAME GRADUALLY WORSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO EITHER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPACKED. THE SHAFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. UPDATED 9/22/2006 - THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL INJECTOR UNIT WAS REPLACED INTAKE GASKET LEAKED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 75,990 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10288698 · 2009-10-16 (October 16, 2009)
MY 2001 IMPALA WITH A 3.8 V-6 WOULD NOT START AFTER GOLF LAST THURSDAY, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP PUT IN A NEW FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. THE BILL CAME TO $900. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM VARIOUS OCCASIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS AND DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET. THIS SITE POPPED UP WHEN I "SEARCHED STALLS WHILE DRIVING" BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED STALLING OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING UNDER JUST ABOUT ANY CONDITION. I BOUGHT A NEW CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FROM CAR QUEST INSTALLED IT MYSELF IN LESS THAN AN H…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288698 at NHTSA ↗