2001 Chevrolet Impala

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Chevrolet Impala
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Impala Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 1 complaints 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 2 complaints 1994: 15 complaints 1995: 44 complaints 1995 1996: 88 complaints 1997: 1 complaints 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 4 complaints 2000: 818 complaints 2000 2001: 742 complaints 2001 2002: 795 complaints 2003: 694 complaints 2004: 1072 complaints 2005: 609 complaints 2005 2006: 524 complaints 2007: 627 complaints 2008: 810 complaints 2009: 824 complaints 2010: 441 complaints 2010 2011: 505 complaints 2012: 258 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 632 complaints 2015: 300 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 116 complaints 2018: 59 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 15 complaints 2020
2001: 742 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19833
19840
19851
19871
19910
19920
19932
199415
199544
199688
19971
19982
19994
2000818
2001742
2002795
2003694
20041072
2005609
2006524
2007627
2008810
2009824
2010441
2011505
2012258
2013271
2014632
2015300
2016111
2017116
201859
201928
202015

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31%

31% of complaints: electrical system — 232 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

A POLICE OFFICER PARKED TVEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN TIME. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND FRONT END OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010821

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 124 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120423

Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010625

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11%

11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 84 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing turn signal and switch.

CRASH FIRE
STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 77 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing shaft sector and column.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BENT AND TWISTED FINGERS MORSE LEE IS AN 80 YEAR OLD GENTLEMEN. HIS INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS ARE BENT TOWARDS HIS BABY FINGERS. HIS CENTER JOINT OF THE MIDDLE FINGERS ARE OFF PARALLEL TO THE OTHER FINGER JOINTS APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021101

TIGHT/STIFF STEERING HAS RESULTED IN INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS BECOMING BENT AND TWISTED TO CONFORM TO THE CONTOUR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HIGH EFFORT DAMAGE TO THE FINGERS ARE IRREVERSABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021101

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000824 — 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 NO

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

Campaign 00V228003 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001026 — 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

Campaign 00V244000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001116 — air bags

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.

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

Campaign 00V371000 — check if this car was fixed

2001 — complaint volume: 742
R 20010629 — fuel system, gasoline

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."

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

Campaign 01V136000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20060515 — PE (closed 20061025)

ALLEGED HEADLIGHT FAILURE

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081016 — 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 (SOL

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — 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 REPLACEM

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — 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 EQUIPP

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

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Chevrolet Impala — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (232 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (124 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (84 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V228003 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V244000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V371000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V136000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 2018 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Chevrolet Impala is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.