CarModelProblems.com

2001 Chevrolet Impala Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
742Complaints
10Recalls
33Crashes
67Fires
39Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (25.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System187 · 25.2%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Engine68 · 9.2%RecalledRecall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000
Engine And Engine Cooling53 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000
Power Train:automatic Transmission45 · 6.1%No official action
Steering37 · 5%RecalledRecall 09E005000 · Recall 08E063000
Air Bags33 · 4.4%RecalledRecall 00V244000 · Recall 00V371000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM187 · 25.2%
ENGINE68 · 9.2%
STEERING37 · 5%
AIR BAGS33 · 4.4%
Unspecified / other23 · 3.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL22 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING22 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR18 · 2.4%

Percentages are the share of the 742 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 2015 · reported 10/26/2015

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 2009 · reported 04/08/2009

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 08E063000 · 2008 · reported 10/17/2008

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 00V244000 · 2000 · reported 08/29/2000

IN A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:side/window

NHTSA campaign 00V371000 · 2000 · reported 11/13/2000

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 INF… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 00V228003 · 2000 · reported 08/07/2000

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 01V136000 · 2001 · reported 04/24/2001

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER. . THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS. ALSO THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED. THERE…”NHTSA complaint 10026189 — filed 08/22/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE VEHICLE HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. *NLM”NHTSA complaint 10017953 — filed 04/01/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10001935 — filed 01/08/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

5720094936201122212013965320155221201710162019862021142023

Frequently asked questions

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

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 187 of 742 NHTSA complaints (25.2%), followed by engine (68), engine and engine cooling (53), power train:automatic transmission (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala have?

742 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 67 involved a fire, and 39 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V701000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.