2001 Chevrolet IMPALA: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

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 ↗

THE BRAKE DISC KEEPS WARPING. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE THEM EVERY 12/14 THOUSAND MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ROTORS 3 TIMES AND TURN THEM TWICE, BUT PROBLEM THIS RECURRED. TS BRAKES PULSATED AT 12,374, 17,770, 18,856, 34,526, 38,960 AND 52,459 MILES. ROTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS ALSO A MISS AT IDLE AND IN PARK. DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 12,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001236 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

CONSUMER STATES WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HIT A POT HOLE AND LOST CONTROL, HAVING A FRONT COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE 8 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH AIR LIGHT SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001681 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

WHEN STOPPED ON A MODERATE INCLINE, THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE GRADE. *TS *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002212 at NHTSA ↗

CHEVROLET IMPALA LS WITH 3.8L ENGINE. THE UPPER MANIFOLD WARPS AND ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP WITH NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN HOUSTON. THERE WERE 15 ON BACKORDER. GM NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS PLASTIC PART THAT WARPS AT 17-24,000 MILES.

Owner-reported narrative. 37,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003366 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)

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 VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 2000-08-29 (August 29, 2000)

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.

Consequence: IN A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

Reported: 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)

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.

Consequence: IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.

Reported: 2001-04-24 (April 24, 2001)

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.

Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BRACKET THAT WILL MAINTAIN POSITIONING OF THE FUEL LINE IN A FRONTAL CRASH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.

Reported: 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)

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 DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)

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.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

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, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.