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.

Mileage: 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.

Mileage: 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.

Mileage: 149,000

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

Mileage: 141,000

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CRANK SENSOR RECALL REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2010. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REQUIRED PART WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ UPDATED 04/28/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ARMS AND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ......UPDATED 04/01/16 *BF CONSUMER STATED STEERING ARMS LEAKED AND POWER STEERING LEAKED UPDATED 6/7/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, THE MANIFOLD COVER EXPLODED AND BURNED HIS FACE. THE CONTACT USED HIS SHIRT TO DOUSE THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIR. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD ONLY COVER THE PARTS THAT WERE IN THE RECALL, EXCLUDING THE COST OF TOWING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

Mileage: 169,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE INDEPENDENTLY EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS OF NO HELP. UPDATED 04/21/16.*JB

Mileage: 148,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO WATER GETTING INSIDE THE VALVE COVER AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) A YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HORN WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HORN WAS REPLACED ON 12/7/15 AND STILL FUNCTIONING. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND OBSERVED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE SENSOR AND LOW COOLANT SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INDICATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE PLENUM ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS WARPED DUE TO A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD AND NOW ANTIFREEZE AND OIL ARE BEING RELEASED AND ARE CAKING ON MY MAX AIRFLOW SENSOR AND MAP SENSOR. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT GM MADE A RECALL ON IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN EASY OR, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW A BUMPER FROM A FENDER, IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU BRING IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY KEEP CHARGING YOU $300 TO CHANGE YOUR MAX AIR FLOW SENSOR AND YOU DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER. *JS

Mileage: 113,000

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE EXPLOSION AND CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIRED. *SMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) FOR THE SPARK PLUG RETENTION WIRE, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DEFECT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

ON 4/09/12 AT APPROXIMATELY 18:20 I GOT IN THE CAR THAT HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER FEELING THE HOOD I OPENED IT AND DISCOVERED A FIRE ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND ALONG THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL. FORTUNATELY SINCE I WAS HOME I HAD QUICK ACCESS TO AN ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND I RAN INTO THE GARAGE AND GRABBED IT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT I NOTED THE ENTIRE ENGINE COVER AND THE TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE COVER WAS IN PIECES ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IT APPEARED THE EXPLOSION WAS INSIDE THE AIR PLENUM/ INTAKE MANIFOLD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL AUTO SERVICE LOCATION VIA AAA AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE CARRIER THE FOLLOWING DAY. REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE AIR PLENUM, FUEL RAIL, INJECTORS, FUELS LINES, IGNITION WIRES, FUEL REGULATOR, AND VARIOUS GASKET KITS AND SENSORS. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH I HAVE HEARD OF THE FUEL REGULATOR DRAWING RAW FUEL INTO THE AIR PLENUM / INTAKE MANIFOLD VIA A VACUUM LINE WHICH RESULTS IN THE EXPLOSION WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 169,878

BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE FOR ABOUT A YEAR TILL IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AND SECURITY LOCK WOULD POP UP FREQUENTLY NOW IT ALMOST TAKES AN HOUR TO CRANK IT EVEN IF U HIT THE STARTER THE STATER MOVES BUT WANT CRANK THE CAR I HAVE SPENT OVER 4 GRAND ON IT TRYING TO FIX IT BUT NOTHING WORKS EVEN CHECKED FUSES WIRES AND COMPUTER BOX NOTHING LOOKS BAD CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AWHILE BACK TOO. *TR

SECONDARY AIR PUMP FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL REACHING THE DESTINATION WHERE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE BATTERY, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND RELY SWITCH WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. MOST RECENT, ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CONSISTENT MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH ADVISED OF THE POTENTIAL OF AN ENGINE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE ORIGIN OF IT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. A REPORT WAS FILE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,598.

Mileage: 182,598

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SHE HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 161,000

01 IMPALA 3.8. I WENT TO START THE CAR. THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE INTAKE PLENUM EXPLODED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IS GREAT IF SOMEONE IS STANDING NEAR THE OPEN ENGINE BAY. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION DESPITE THE HIGH MILES. *TR

Mileage: 321,000

ENGINE/LOW COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT ON! OVERHEATING. PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE SAME AS OTHER OWNERS OF 2001 IMPALA'S! HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. STILL SAME PROBLEM W COOLANT. *TR

ENGINE/LOW COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT ON! OVERHEATING. PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE SAME AS OTHER OWNERS OF 2001 IMPALA'S! HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. STILL SAME PROBLEM W COOLANT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS FAILING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE GASKET WAS MANUFACTURED FROM PLASTIC AND WOULD EVENTUALLY, WOULD NOT RETAIN COOLANT FROM PENETRATING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. I NOTICED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IN MY VEHICLE WAS OFTEN LOW, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO GET THE INTAKE GASKET REPLACED AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON IMPALA'S. HE STATED THAT ALL OF THESE VEHICLES WILL NEED TO HAVE THE GASKET REPLACED AND THAT GM IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE THE GASKETS. THIS IS QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO COSTS AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED GM FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY STATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO BE ASSISTED. I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T MADE IT AS A RECALL BECAUSE THE CARS WILL OVERHEAT AND ISN'T SOMETHING YOU NORMALLY EXPECT TO NEED TO GET FIXED ON A CAR. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HE STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. TWO VEHICLES THAT WERE PARKED NEXT TO HIS ALSO CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. HE WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

CONSUMER HAS A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA WITH ENGINE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL OF THE ENGINE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FAILED DUE TO OIL DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 30-35 MPH. THE RPM'S APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND A MECHANIC REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND FILTER, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A TIRE FLATTENED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HERSELF. SHE ARRIVED HOME AND CALLED HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO COME TO HER RESIDENCE AND INVESTIGATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GENERAL MOTORS, WHICH STATED "THAT SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. 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." THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

Mileage: 211,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF HER VEHICLE. SHE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE BETWEEN THE ALTERNATOR AND SEVERAL WIRES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AFTER A FEW MINUTES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE LOCAL GM DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND MAY HAVE STARTED THE FIRE. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT STATED "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". NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 WAS REFERENCED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

Mileage: 100,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WOULD NOT SUFFICIENTLY CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE STATED THAT BY INSTALLING TWO NEW SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS FOR FREE WILL NOT STOP DROPS OF ENGINE OIL FROM BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. THE DEALER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.

Mileage: 158,000

I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 28,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 38,000 MILES IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULD NOT PASS SMOG BECAUSE OF THAT. THE THERMOSTAT GETS STUCK, THE FAN CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT LOW. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING OR RUNNING HOT. THE CAR NOW HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT AND I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. IT HAS EXPIRED TAGS ON IT BECAUSE I CANT GET IT TO PASS SMOG. I AM REALLY UPSET TO FIND OUT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MAKE OF THE CAR. IT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BUY THIS CAR AND NOW I CANT DRIVE IT MORE THEN TO WORK AND BACK. I AM HOPING THEY WILL RECALL THIS CAR AND I COULD FINALLY GET IT FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON MOST OCCASIONS, HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO CRANK. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES OR ERROR CODES WITH THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE FAILS TO START, BUT ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS WORK NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

2001 NO-START SITUATION SIMILAR TO HUNDREDS OF OTHERS THAT ARE POSTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2000-2003 CHEVY IMPALAS & MALIBUS (THERE MAY BE OTHER MODEL YEARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS). THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION. NO NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS BUT SOMETIMES SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT WE'VE SPENT OVER $1000 TRYING TO RESOLVE. IT OCCURS WITH NO RHYME OR REASON AND HAS PUT OUR DAUGHTER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. CAR ALWAYS STARTS EVENTUALLY AND IT SEEMS THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WAITING A RANGE OF 10 MINUTES TO 2 HOURS. ALWAYS A PAIN IN THE BUTT BUT SOMETIMES A SAFETY ISSUE WITH BAD WEATHER AND OTHER FACTORS. LOCAL GM DEALER NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PROBLEM AND GM CORPORATION DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE EITHER. MAYBE NHTSA CAN GET GMS ATTENTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

AT AROUND 75,000 MILES, MY 2001 IMPALA BEGAN TO LOSE POWER,PARTICULARLY WHEN ACCELERATING. I TRIED FUEL SYSTEM CLEANERS, REPLACED FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, ETC. NO HELP. THEN ONE DAY A HOLE WAS BLOWN THROUGH MY INTAKE MANIFOLD. THAT'S RIGHT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, BECAUSE I KNEW I COULDN'T AFFORD THE GM DEALERSHIP SHOP PRICE, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EGR VALVE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE TOTALLY STOPPED UP CONSEQUENTLY TRAPPING HOT ENGINE EXHAUST IN THE INTAKE AREA WITH NOWHERE TO GO. THE COST OF PARTS AND REPAIRS COST ME OVER $800. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY STOP UP. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR MODEL. I THINK GM SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

MY VEHICLE HAD LACK OF POWER ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. NEARLY REAR ENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY CAR IS A 2001 CHEVY AT THE TIME MY MILEAGE WAS 66,624 . THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT, I COULD DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION AND OR ENGINE. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT A COST OF 745.31 LABOR & PARTS. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CAR WORKED FINE & HAPPY TO SAY IT STILL DOES. SENT ALL NECESSARY PAPERS TO GENERAL MOTORS FOR RE-IMBURSEMENT UNDER THE 80,000/8 YR EMISSIONS WARRANTY BUT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED! THE REASON WAS I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO A DEALER BUT I FELT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME & OTHERS. (CAT CONVERTER WAS BLOCKED/CLOGGED). *TR

Mileage: 66,624

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH SEVERE ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT A VALVE THAT WAS TOUCHING THE ENGINE MELTED. THE MELTING OF THE VALVE CAUSED BURNING TO THE FUEL LINES, ELECTRICAL LINES, VACUUM LINES, AND PROTECTIVE COVERINGS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PAINT SHOP, IT SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE COVER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

DEXCOOOL LEAK THROUGH HEAD GASKET, 2ND VEHICLE - PROBLEM ON OUT OF STATE BUSINESS TRIP. *TR

Mileage: 58,570

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL NIGHTMARE AND I'M FINDING MANY, MANY, REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM(S). 1) INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS CAUSING CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EGR VALVE TO CLOG. THE RESULT OF THIS IS EXHAUST GASES CAN'T ESCAPE , BACKING UP AND BURNING/BLOWING A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ITSELF. ALL ABOVE ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A VERY SUBSTANTIAL COST. 2) BLINKERS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. MOSTLY THEY DON'T WORK. THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE (FLASHER) MODULE LOCATED IN THE DASH BEHIND THE 'FLASHER" BUTTON. THIS IA VERY,VERY COMMON. 3) A/C HEATER BLOWER FAN STOPS WORKING ON SPEEDS 1,2 THEN 3 RESULTING. THIS IS DUE TO RESISTORS BURNING UP ON A MODULE MOUNTED BEHIND THE DASH AND IN FRONT OF THE BLOWER MOTOR. MY QUESTION HERE IS, AT WHAT POINT DOES SOMEONE HOLD THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE OBVIOUS FACTORY DEFECTS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE ANY OF THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED. HELP !!! *TR

WHILE JUMP STARTING VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODES. NO START CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 83,121

WHILE JUMP STARTING VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODES. NO START CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 83,121

SUDDEN MALFUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE (NOT WORKING), COOLING FANS RUNNING, AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF, NO A/C. MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 159,500

2001 CHEVY IMPALA ENGINE, RADIATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT HER OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE GM WOULD NOT HELP HER OUT. SHE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT 3 MONTHS AFTER THE ENGINE. *KB THE POWER SWITCH AND SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. *JB

NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT VERY EASILY COULD'VE BEEN. CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO START. CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES - IT HAPPENED TWICE SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING A STOPLIGHT, SO 20-35MPH AND THE THIRD TIME WAS GOING 55MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE TWO TIMES IT STALLED AT 20-35MPH IT STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY. AFTER IT STALLED AT 55MPH, IT TOOK 3-5 TRIES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN TWO OTHER SEPARATE TIMES THAT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO START. THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE, ABOUT 5 MILES, TURNING IT OFF FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND THEN IT TOOK 3-5 TRIES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. THE SECURITY LIGHT DID NOT COME ON WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED. CAR DOES HAVE 126,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS NO CODE INDICATING WHAT THIS STALLING/NO START PROBLEM IS. THIS IS THE THIRD DAY THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. THE CAR HAS DIED ONCE WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IT STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY SO THEY COULDN'T DO THE TEST THEY WANTED TO DO. THIS IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE SUCH A HUGE SAFETY-RELATED ISSUE WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE/CODE AND IT APPEARS FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS AND AUTOMOTIVE "CHAT ROOMS" I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NO RESOLUTION. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE MARKET FOR A USED CAR. SHE FOUND A CAR ON THE WEBSITE FO CITY AUTO AUCTION OF CHICAGO, PRICED AT 1500.00. WE ARRIVED AT THE AUCTION AND INQUIRED ABOUT THEIR BIDDING PROCESS. I WAS TOLD TO READ AND SING THE BIDDERS PADDLE. WE INQUIRED ABOUT THE CAR LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT WE COULD BID ON ANOTHER LIKE CAR. WE BIDDED 2800.00 FOR A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA. I ASKED THE SALESMAN IF WE CAN SEE THE CAR FOR INSPECTION. HIS INSISTED I PUT A 600.00 DOWN PAYMENT TO HOLD THE CAR. I DID. WE WAITED 3 HOURS BEFORE THEY CALLED US INTO THE OFFICE. THEY PRESENTED US WITH A BILL OF SALE TOTALING 3858.00. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION OF THE CHARGES, AND TO SEE THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WERE ANY DEFECTS. THE OWNER BECAME IRATE AND TOLD ME, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EXPLAIN TO ME THE CHARGES, HE CALLED SECURITY AND I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, MY DAUGHTER WENT BACK, I WAS TO MEET HER AT THE DEALERSHIP. SHE ASKED IF SHE COULD INSPECTED THE CAR. SHE WAS TOLD SHE HAD TO PAY THE REMAINING BALANCE FIRST. SHE DID. THE SERVICEMEN BROUGHT THE CAR OUT, LOCKED THE DOOR AND REFUSED TO ANSWER ANY OF HER QUESTIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR HAD NO RADIO, NO REAR VIEW MIRROR AND WAS KNOCKING. I HAD HER BRING THE CAR TO ME. THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PASS 50 MPH. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE CAR THEN SLOWED TO 10 MPH. SHE EVENTUALLY GOT THE CAR TO MY OFFICE, WHERE IT DIED, AND WOULD NOT START. I CALLED CITY AUTO, TALKED TO MR. AL, WHO TOLD ME THE CAR WAS SOLD "AS IS" AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *JB

1. CRANK SENSOT FAILED AND RAN HAZARD LIGHTS ON SIDE OF INNERSTATE FOR 3 HOURS WHILE GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SENT TOW SERVICE. 2. TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND OPERATION OF HAZARD SWITCH WOULD BE RESTORE THEM TEMPORIALLY. 3. REPLACED HAZARD SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS, FOG LIGHTS, AND POWER TRUNK RELEASE DO NOT WORK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW FUEL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

ON 12/13/06 AFTER 1 YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE WE HAD A LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATING. WE WERE ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING. A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE UPON RESEARCH. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER , CLAIMING THE COOLANT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND WAS NOT COVERED. HAD TO PAY OVER $!,000 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER COULD NOT START THE CAR. WAS ADVISED THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD AN ANTI THEFT FEATURE IF WORK WAS DONE ON THE CAR IT COULD CAUSE THE ANTI THEFT FEATURE TO FAIL AND WOULD BE A NEED FOR A NEW IGNITION. SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE DOLLARS). AS THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS EITHER. THESE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE AWFUL DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE OWNER REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. HERE WE GO 7 MONTHS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOW IN THE SHOP AGAIN ABOUT THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE , SLUGGISH UPON ACCELERATION. *AK

Mileage: 70,100

ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT AFTER I HAD RADIATOR FLUSHED. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SOME BROWN, MUDDY LOOKING, OILY SUBSTANCE LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR AT WHICH TIME HE INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM THAT GM CARS WERE HAVING WITH THE MANIFOLD GASKETS. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A DEATH DOES OCCUR DUE TO THIS NEGLIGENCE ON GM'S PART. I'M SURE THAT ALL THE OWNER OF THESE CARS FEEL THE SAME WAY AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE AND ORDERED TO PAY TO HAVE THESE CARS REPAIRED, SINCE IT IS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, WHICH THEY APPARENTLY KNEW WOULD HAPPEN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO A CERTAIN MILEAGE. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE GOT STUCK AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNLESS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AND EVEN THEN THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH! I WAS IN FEAR OF MY LIFE.... AND LUCKILY I MADE IT TO THE DEALER WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THESE IMPALAS ARE DEATH TRAPS AND I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEATHS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN EXPLAINED DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD WITH THE ACCELERATION MODULE. UNFORTUNATELY... DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T TELL WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR CARS BEFORE THEY LOST CONTROL OF THEM. *TR

LOW COOLANT LIGHT LIT. ADDED DEXCOOL AS NEEDED. LIGHT THEN BEGAN TO COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTANTLY. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY TESTED AND SAID SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED AND DEXCOOL ADDED. COST$225. I NOTICED SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON NHSTA. GM SHOULD COVER THIS COST OR HAVE A RECALL.

Mileage: 83,000

IN THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS, MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA STARTED TO SHOW THE OBVIOUS SIGNS OF INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS (SLUDGE ON OIL CAP, BROWN RESIDUE IN COOLANT OVERFLOW RESERVOIR, SMALL COOLANT PUDDLES ON ENGINE). AT 71,000 MILES I RECEIVED A QUOTE AT A GM DEALER FOR THE FIX...$900.00. THE DEALER SAID HE DOES ONE A DAY ON THESE GM 3.4 ENGINES. AS A SIDE, MY WIFE'S VENTURE, SISTER'S VENTURE AND FATHER IMPALA ALL HAVE THE FAULTY INTAKE MAIFOLD COOLANT/OIL LEAK. AFTER SPEAKING WITH GM, THEY AGREED ONLY TO PAY FOR THE TWO BOLTS, A GASKET AND A SMALL TUBE OF SEALANT. THIS PAST WEEK, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE NEXT PARKING LOT. IT STALLED THERE AND NEVER STARTED. AFTER A TOW, THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT WITH OIL AND RUN IT. WITHIN SECONDS IT FLOWS OUT THE OIL FILTER AND THE FILTER AND/OR FILTER GASKET RUPTURES. AFTER CHECKING THE OIL PUMP AND OIL PUMP SENSOR, HIS DIAGNOSIS IS FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. HE CLAIMS THAT THE SLUDGE FROM THE ANTIFREEZE HAS BUILT UP, AND A CAM BEARING HAS BEEN DAMAGED, RENDERING THE ENGINE IRREPLACEABLE. I CURRENTLY HAVE ,MULTIPLE OPTIONS, THE CHEAPEST OF WHICH IS $3,500.00. WE ARE A GM FAMILY, MY FATHER RETIRED FROM GM. WHY CAN'T GM FACE THE FAULTY DESIGN FLAW OF THE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND COOLANT PROBLEMS? *TR

Mileage: 82,000

THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE COOLANT IN MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA. KNOWING JUST A LITTLE ABOUT INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES PROBABLY AN INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. FOR A CAR WHICH HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THIS WAS ALARMING. HIGH ENGINE TEMP AND A SLUDGE IN MY MOTOR ARE THE OBVIOUS CONSEQUENCES. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE LONG TERM AFFECTS WILL BE. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE MECHANICS AND ALREADY I AM LOOKING AT 700 TO 1,000 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TO REPAIR. *NM

Mileage: 77,319

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA AND IT HAS BEEN LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FOR SOMETIME NOW. WE PUT THE REQUIRED DEXCOOL COOLANT TO REPLACE THE LOST, BUT IT JUST KEPT ON LEAKING. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO REPAIR IT AND HE INFORMED US THAT IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE GASKET DOWN ONTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND IT WAS DAMAGING THE SPARK PLUGS. HE SAID DON'T PUT DEXCOOL COOLANT INTO THE CAR AGAIN BECAUSE IT JUST DAMAGES THE GASKETS. HE SAID I CANT TELL U HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THIS SAME THING ON CHEVROLET VEHICLES. TOTAL REPAIRS $749.43 . THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS. NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE DEXCOOL COOLANT BUT BECAUSE OF THE GASKETS. *NM

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

Mileage: 75,990

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA. SHORTLY AFTER I NOTICE WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR,THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THE CAR OVERHEATING, TOOK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. A FEW WEEK AFTER THAT IT QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. SO I LOOK ON THE CAR STATS. COM AND FOUND COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. SOLUTION I TOOK THE CAR TO REPEATABLE CAR MECHANIC .THE FIRST THING HE DID WAS TO TAKE THE RADIATOR CAP OFF, IT WAS FULL OF BROWN SLUDGE, HE SAID THAT GM TRIED TO SAVE MONEY BY PUTTING IN A $2.00 MANIFOLD GASKET IN ALL 3.4 ENGINES, THEY ALL FAIL BETWEEN 35,000 AND 40,000. IT COST $580. YOU CAN NOT REPLACE ONE GASKET YOU BUY ALL THREE IN A REPLACE KIT AND CHANGE THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ROUTINELY MISSED. THEY JUST RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE GAUGE WORKS FOR A SHORT TIME THEN WITHOUT WARNING IT QUITS. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS SO COMMON HE HAS PAID FOR HIS CHILDRENS COLLEGE EDUCATION. GM DOES NOT COVER THIS COMMON FAILURE UNDER ANY WARRANTY. I WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE I BUY ANY GM PRODUCT. *NM

Mileage: 40,000

LOW COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON - REPLACED FIRST TIME LOW COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON - REPLACED SECOND TIME. *JB

Mileage: 50,508

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS COVERED BY A GM SPECIAL POLICY. DUE TO THE FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD ALSO FAILED RESULTING IN AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. GM WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EVEN THOUGH IT FAILED FROM A KNOWN ISSUE. THE REPAIR BILL STATES, "UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE." *NM

Mileage: 72,000

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER, BUT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL LETTER. THE LETTER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BEING REPLACED DUE TO THE END CONE INSULATION BREAKING AWAY AND BLOCKING THE FRONT OF THE FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND PREVENTING THE FREE FLOW OF THE GAS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 SEPARATE TRANSMISSION MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND NOT TRANSMISSION.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY. IT WILL GO BELOW COLD SPORADICALLY. THIS WILL CAUSE THE FANS TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE CODES DO NOT MATCH THE PROBLEM AND THE HAYNES BOOK DOES NOT MATCH THE CAR EITHER. COOLANT LEAKS FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD, PROBABLY BAD GASKETS. *NM

DT CONSUMER STATED THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE FAN WOULD RUN FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THE MECHANIC HAD FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT. THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET, WATER PUMP, AND THE THERMOSTAT WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED WHEN GOING FROM WARM TEMPERATURES TO COLD TEMPERATURES THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005. *NM

Mileage: 74,000

ON 6/29/05 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOSS POWER. THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO A FEW MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS HESITATING UPON TAKE OFF. I DROVE IT HOME AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. IT WAS PICKED UP AND TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I PAID TO HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALL PARTS REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 122,000

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD A CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD WITHOUT WARNING, REAR DEFROSTER SHORTED OUT AND ALMOST INJURED THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER, THE DOORS SEIZED, THE DRIVER WINDOW SEIZED CONSTANTLY, AND THE FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON 5. *SC

Mileage: 80,000

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY IMPALA IT HAS A COMPLETELY CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. I CONTACTED COUNTRY CHEVY IN WARWICK NY THEY CANT HELP ME W/O CHARGING ME BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 1800 MILES AGO. I UNDERSTAND FROM THERE SERV DEPT AS WELL AS NUMEROUS MECHANICS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING LIGHT FOR THIS OR I MAY HAVE KNOW PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. NOW I HAVE A CAR I PAID CASH FOR THAT I CANT DRIVE. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY PRIOR COMPLAINTS. I AM CONTACTING GM TO SEE IF THEY CAN ASSIST ME FURTHER. *JB

Mileage: 81,000

PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING SYSTEM ON THE 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOUNDED. *MR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, GAS MILEAGE AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD BURNED AGAINST THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER ALSO FOUND MISSING COMPONENTS SUCH AS A FUSE AND A HUGE HOLLOW AREA DUE TO THE MISSING FANS. *SC *JB

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2001 IMPALA FROM DEALER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO (4/29/2005) AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY FOR SOME MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE AND IT IS QUITE SERIOUS. I HAVE CHECKED SOME ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE IMPALAS. I THINK GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSE MY COST OF REPAIR.

Mileage: 74,881

THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE COULD OVER HEAT. CONSUMER CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FLUID LEAK OUT THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT IN COOLANT ABOUT ONCE A MONTH TO AVOID OVERHEATING.*AK DEALER PUT NEW GASKET IN AT INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPAIRED RADIATOR. *BF *NM

COOLANT SYSYEM:TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVES TO HOT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN BACK TO NORMAL. CLICKING SOUND IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU YOU MAKE A TURN. LOUD POPPING OR CRACKING SOUND IN THE DASH AREA WITH VARIOUS TEMPERATURE CHANGES.*AK

I HAD A INTAKE GASKET LEAK ON MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA W/3.4 ENGINE,I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THE CAR ONLY HAS MID 50'S MILEAGE,,ACCORDING TO SOME SHOPS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS CAR. *AK

OUR LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE TOOK IT TO GET IT SERVICE AT FIRST THE DEALERSHIP DID A LEAK INFECTION AND FOUND NOTHING TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR THEY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT BUT MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING BACK ON THE NEEDLE ON THE DASH BOARD HARDLY MOVES,THEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY FOUND COOLANT LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THEY ALSO REPLACE A TAPPING NOISE (WHICH OCCURED ON OUR WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP) WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE LIFTERS ALONG WITH A BRAKE CHECK/PAD REPLACEMENT OUR BILL TOTAL WAS $1504 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ALREADY. I HAVE BEEN READING THE INTERNET AND FOUND AN INFO REGARDING THIS LEAKEAGE ON MANIFOLD IS CAUSED BY DEXCOOL WHICH WHAT THEY USE IN MY CAR,I FOUND OUT THAT THE CHEMICAL DOESN'T CONTAIN AN AGENT TO FIGHT RUST BUT CONTAINS SOME ACID CHEMICAL INSTEAD, DO NOT QUOTE ME BUT GO TO WEBSITE TYPE DEXCOOL AND YOU'LL SEE IT. *AK

Mileage: 65,797

THE ENGINE COOLANT LOW LEVEL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER FILLED THE COOLANT, AND THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN A LEAK. *AK *NM

Mileage: 86,000

1. INITIAL MINOR THEN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, LEADING TO BREAKDOWN ON HIGHWAY OF 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 3.4 LITER V-6. SECOND PART: LOSS OF REAR PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL.*AK 2. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECTIVE, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK AND BROWN SLUDGE OBSERVED ON RADIATOR CAP. HAD TO ADD COOLANT AND LOST USE OF VEHICLE. SECOND PART: LOSS OF REAR PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT AND HAZARD FLASHER AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (GM PART 88964580) - LED TO RECIEVING WRITTEN CITATION OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. 3. REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD, DEX-COOL COOLANT, O-RING (PART 10477565), THERMOSTAT, OIL (TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE COOLANT THAT LEAKED INTO OIL PASSED FAILED GASKET). CONTACT FOR OLD PART AVAILABILITY. REPLACED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (GM PART 88964580)

Mileage: 75,000

(1) COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, TEMP GAUGE NOT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLING FANS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY (2) IMPROPER ENGINE OPERATION, ROADSIDE STOPPAGE (3) RESET CONNECTION ON COOLANT SENSOR , SYSTEM RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. I'M NOT SURE THERE WAS ANY CORRELATION WITH THE SENSOR CONNECTION. THE COMPUTER RESET ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND ALL CONDITIONS RETURNED TO NORMAL.*AK

Mileage: 118,900

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD/GASKET ON THIS VEHICLE HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS OVERHEATING WHEN IDLE. NO HEAT WAS BEING GENERATED. COST TO REPAIR HAS BEEN QUOTED AS $580. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES, GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS ANY KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM, DUE TO POOR-QUALITY INTAKE MANIFOLD/GASKETS BEING USED ON THESE VEHICLES. *NM

Mileage: 65,000

I HAVE TWO GM CARS BOTH 2001 MY GRAND AM I JUST CHANGED THE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE HEAD GASKETS, NOW MY IMPALA ALSO NEEDS THE SAME GASKETS CHANGED MAYBE THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS DEFECT. I DO NOT THINK THAT IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THESE GASKETS AFTER FOUR YEARS. MY GRAND AM WAS COVERED MY IMPALA IS NOT. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS? PLEASE RESPOND. *NM

Mileage: 113,815

HAVE A CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A INTAKE GASKET LEAK. IT IS SO BAD IT MAKES MY YOUNG CHILDREN PHYSICALLY SICK. THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE DECIDED TO ONLY WORK ONCE IN A WHILE AND THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS (OURS IS A 4 DOOR) ARE STICKING - TRAPPING US INSIDE OR KEEPING US LOCKED OUT. OUR TRUNK WONT OPEN AT ALL! *AK

Mileage: 67,000

CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE FOR SOME TIME. THEN, WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SEAL.*AK

Mileage: 52,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE KEPT SEEING PUDDLES OF ANTI-FREEZE UNDER HER VEHICLE. SHE SAID SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER AN EXAMINATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE, SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AROUND THE MANIFOLD. SHE STATES THIS VEHICLE IS MUCH TOO NEW FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 28,000

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD ON MY TRUCK. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE EGR VALVE RETURNED HOT GASES INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE HOT GASES BURNED A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE. MY LOCAL GARAGE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I HAD MY LOCAL GARAGE TAKE THE CAR TO OUR CHEVROLET GARAGE. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THE CONVERTER AND REPLACED IT UNDER FEDERAL WARRANTY. I REPORTED THIS TO GM. BOTH GARAGE AGREED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MANIFOLD. I BELIEVE THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY FACTOR." *JB *SC

Mileage: 67,179

MANIFOLD AND PUMP GASKET LEAKED. *NM THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. *TC *JB

Mileage: 67,000

PURCHASE - MAY 2003 TRANSMISSION - MAY 2003 TRANSMISSION (ELECTRICAL WIRE) OCTOBER 2003 THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN IRREGULAR. ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HESITANT TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. FEBRUARY 2004 - NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE CAR ALTHOUGH IT CONTINUED TO RUN IMPROPERLY. SEPTEMBER 2004 - CATALYTIC CONVERTER OCTOBER 2004 - UNDIAGNOSED DUE TO CHEVY'S REFUSAL TO DIAGNOSIS THE CAR FOR FREE AFTER JUST REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SIX (6) DAYS AGO. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH THE VEHICLE (POLICE PACKAGE) CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO BOTH LEGS. *JB *SC

Mileage: 78,000

THE VEHICLE HAD A SLOW LEAKING HEAD GASKET ON THE FRONT STARBOARD SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *NM *NM

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS LIT WHEN CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE.. THERE IS NO WHEEL SPIN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO VEHICLE STALLS AT IDLE, WHINING NOISE ON ACCELERATION DEALER SAYS COULD BE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING.. WILL NOT REPLACE . DEALER SAYS COMPUTER TEST SHOWS NO PROBLEM. SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE IN CABIN AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. CANNOT LOCATE LEAK. *AK

Mileage: 50,000

IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR THE VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSED OF THE FAILURE. *MR THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER STOPPEDWORKING, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AGAIN. *NM

LOW COOLANT SENSOR HAS FAILED (4) TIMES (BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST AT 35,800 MILES). DEALERSHIP HAS FLUSHED COOLANT SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE SENSOR ON EACH OCCASION. EACH SENSOR HAS FAILED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILE SPAN. CURRENTLY ON FOURTH SENSOR WHICH HAS FAILED ON 5-27-04.*AK

Mileage: 35,689

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA PURCHASED NEW. HAD TO REPLACE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AT 48,000. WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 36,000. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. 3400 V6. DEALER OFFERS NO RECALL. CONSUMER MUST PAY THE PRICE. *LA

Mileage: 48,517

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, HEAVY SMOKE CAME UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

COOLANT LEAK AROUND THERMOPLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS COOLANT LEAK DEVELOPED AROUND 42000 MI AND IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THE DEALER ADMITS. ALSO DEX-COOL IS FALSLEY ADVERTISED THAT IT CAN GO 150,000 OR 5 YEARS. MOST CONSUMERS AREN'T AWARE THAT IT TURNS ACIDIC AND DESTROYS GASKETS AND OTHER COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS. I FEEL THE COOLANT LEAK AND ASSOCIATED DEX-COOL PROBLEMS DEMONSTRATES GM FAILURE TO CORRECT A KNOWN DEFECT. UNFORTUNATLEY THE CONSUMER PAYS DEARLY RIGHT AS WARRANTY EXPIRES. GM SHOULD REPLACE THERMOPLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH SOMETHING MORE DURABLE AND HEAT RESISTANT.

Mileage: 45,000

WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS A STRONG ANTI FREEZE ODOR WITHIN THE CABIN. THE ODOR CAUSED A BURNING IRRITATION IN THE EYES AND NOSE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE HEATER CORE LEAKING ANTI FREEZE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR.*AK *MR

Mileage: 58,000

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOVEMBER 9, 2003. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING; THEREFORE, LEAKING OIL INTO OUR COOLANT SYSTEM. *LA

AT 47000 MILES AND ONLY 9000 OF THESE MILES WERE PUT ON BY ME. I JUST BOUGHT IT 5 MONTHS AGO. THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. COSTING ME 813.37 THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 3800 ENGINES. MINE IS THE 3400 AND I'M TOLD BY THE REPAIR PERSON THAT IT IS COMMON IN THESE TO. WHY WON'T GM HELP ME PAY THIS REPAIR WORK. *JB

Mileage: 47,000

ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON MESSAGE CENTER LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW. CONSUMER CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVELS SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND THEM UP TO PAR. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE MESSAGE CENTER LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Mileage: 37,000

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED OR STOPPING VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT BRAKE POWER WAS LOST AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THAT IT WAS VIBRATING. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE AIR INTAKE HAD WORN THROUGH THE COMPUTER SENSOR ON THE HARNESS AND CAUSED A LOSS OF VACUUM TO THE POWER BRAKES, AND LOSS ALL POWER TO ASSIST. *AK *CB *NLM

Mileage: 41,451

WHY TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN , POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ALSO FAILED. *AK

UPPER INTAKE PLUENTUM WAS LEAKING COOLANT AT 30,000 MILES. *JB

CHRONIC COOLANT LEAK ON 2001 IMPALA LS. DEALER REPLACED MANIFOLD UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO IN FIRST 2 YEARS, WHEEL BEARING, INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, AS WELL AS ROOF MOLDING. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

COMPLAINT LETTER FROM IL STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFC REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN GETTING REFUND FOR REPLACING A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF *AK *CB *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. *JB

Mileage: 58,500

MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10 APRIL,2003, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, MY CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 47,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS JUST BARELY 2 YEARS OLD???? THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED, BUT.... THE VEHICLE STILL DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING LIKE IT SHOULD, NOW I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT THAT IT SENT PIECES THOUGH THE LINES IN THE CAR, I DID ASK THE DEALER IF THIS WOULD BE CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RESPONSE WAS (IT SHOULDN'T) NOW THIS DOES SOUND LIKE A PROBLEM TO ME.... I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND GIVE ME A REAL ANSWER ON THIS PROBLEM...THE PROBLEM THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD IS KIND OF UNHEARD OF IN THE EARLY STAGE OF MILEAGE AND AGE.. THE DEALERSHIP WAS EVEN CONFUSED ON THE PROBLEM, ALL COMPUTERS THAT THE CAR WAS PLACED ON BY DIFFERENT SHOPS SHOULD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, UNTIL IT WAS PUT ON A FLAT BED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER.... I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER.... *NLM

VEHICLE IS 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AT 11,500 MILES, ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE COOLANT. (NO VISIBLE LEAKS). DEALER SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED "THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM" AND THAT PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS ON GM V6 ENGINES ARE WARPING CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. DEALER "FIX" WAS TO INSTALL "GM PELLETS" TO SEAL COOLING SYSTEM. IF ENGINE STILL LOSES COOLANT, INTAKE MANIFOLD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED (APPROX COST=$800). ACCORDING TO VARIOUS INTERNTET CHAT GROUPS, THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AMONG A WIDE RANGE OF GM MODELS WITH 3.4 AND 3.8 LITER ENGINES, YET THERE IS NO RECALL OR ANY WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM GM THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. THERE IS ALSO NO INDICATION THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WILL CURE THE PROBLEM, AS THE REPLACEMENT PART IS IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL.

Mileage: 11,500

WARPED/CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD

Mileage: 28,000

ENGINE COOLANT LEAK RESULTING FROM UPPER PLENUM ( MANIFOLD) BEING WARPED WITH ONLY 26300 MILES ON VEHICLE. 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS V6 3800 SERIES II ENGINE.

Mileage: 26,325

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA 3800 ENGINE. THERMOPLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED AND LEAKED COOLANT WITH 18,000 MILES ON THE CAR. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY GM. THIS IS A $700 REPAIR. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. GM CONTINUES TO ENGINEER COST AND RELIABILITY OUT OF THE 3800 ENGINE.

Mileage: 18,000

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.

Mileage: 37,900

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

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CRADLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR IS CRACKED AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO BRAKE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY HAD REPLACE THE CRADLE. BUT IT IS BRAKING AGAIN AND THE ONLY THING THEY WILL DO IS GLUE IT BACK TOGETHER.

THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT 5 TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-55 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *YH *NM

WHILE CRUISING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL AFTER THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM (VEHICLE IS A POLICE PACKAGE, THE TOWNSHIP ALSO OWNS A SECOND 2001 IMPALA WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS). *YD

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUTOFF. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS WILL SHUTOFF. CONTACTED DEALER WHO COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BAD FUEL PUMP WIRE AND FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP. *TT

THE VEHICLE EXPIERENED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55-60 MPH THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. IT GIVES NO WARNING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES, AND THIS FIFTH TIME CONSUMER HAD THE DEALER COME AND PICK THE VEHICLE UP FOR REPAIRS. NLM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION. DEALER CONTACTED,CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN PAVEMENT ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE RUNS OVER A BUMP IT CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL OUT. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY, NOTICED SMOKE OUT OF BACK OF CAR- PULLED OVER AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE. FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT- FIRE MARSHALL INVEST. STARTED- HAD TO CUT BATTERY LINES TO STOP FIRE AND TOOK 45 MIN TO PUT FIRE OUT, GAS SPRAYING THROUGHOUT ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. CAR TOTALLED..

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS NO POWER FOR A SHORT TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, WHILE IN TRAFFIC IT WILL NOT MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS OR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD, CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO DEALER EIGHT TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND DEALER CAN NOT FIND A REMEDY. *SLC