1,960 of the
15,232 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Impala
are about the engine —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power and there was black smoke coming from the right side of the engine compartment. The contact then parked the vehicle and opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving and turning into a shopping center, there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence and inspected by an independent mechanic, who discovered that the spark plugs were bent, and that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11745624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on several occasions. During other failures, the vehicle restarted independently while rolling forward. During one failure, the vehicle had to be towed back to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two local dealers who were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
NHTSA complaint #11724709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. In addition, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where a valve replacement was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11721945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fuel system or backfire is what I believe happened to it. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was severely put at risk because the car exploded and caught fire while I was inside the car and fire came through the dash and air conditioner slots, anything could of happened whether shrapnel or burn. this also put others at risk if my spouse was in the car with me or the apartment complex I live in could have caught fire and endangered multiple people. No the issue has not been seen or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Yes the vehicle has been inspected by state fire marshal. No there was no warning lights or problems at all. We drove the car the night before, everything was normal and nothing was showing on the dash and the next day I jumped in, put my seat belt on and started the car to make sure it was running good and it exploded and caught flames.
NHTSA complaint #11708557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2014 Impala limited I started having problems within 6 months after I bought the vehicle from Bergstrom Chevrolet in Wisconsin it was involving the ABS anti-lock stability track and traction control and the braking and steering we're all feeling and locking up while I was driving it presented and problems and endangering my life and the life of any passengers in the vehicle the brakes will lock up and there was no warning before I locked up no lights came on and it would pull to the left or pull to the right depending on which ABS was locking up and it was fixed one time at the dealership then it was fixed again at the dealership later maybe about another 3 to 6 months after and went up for the same thing again and the parts were replaced now I again have had nothing but problems with the braking system. Also the valve that controls the pressure in the fuel tank malfunctioned which caused the car to run irrraticaly it would start hard,stop running at all stops rough ideling and unable to pump gas into the car without the gas pump stopping continuously making the time that it would take to fill the gas tank 3 to 4 times longer than it did that was fixed and it is malfunctioning again. I'm on my fourth time of having my car anti-lock brake system failing on my car multiple systems including the electrical system failing. The dash lights would go off on. The exterior lights going off and on. The car has been off of the streets and unable to be driven many times. I have taken my car in to the Dealership from where I purchased it from. By the third time my car warranty had expired. Then everything was still not repaired all the systems were not ever working correctly. And now the repairs were needed to be paid in full by myself. The cost to me had just begun when it should have been resolved. In excess of $6,000 was what it would cost me the third time I had the Impala in for everything and now it's gone out again and I'm having to get this repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11699579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the front of the vehicle had caught fire. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department. The fire department indicated that the failure may have occurred due to a mechanical malfunction of the vehicle. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000
NHTSA complaint #11695820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have about 08/1825 had the throttle body replaced on my vehicle which assisted with the problem temporarily. Then the problem started again 09/20/25 the car act like it’s stalling while driving and can’t see what hear the vehicle is in. The car is not getting any signal to the engine as I have been advised the TCM is faulty. There was a code of U0101.
NHTSA complaint #11689100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #11685324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to formally express my deep dissatisfaction regarding a recurring issue with my vehicle’s catalytic converter pipe. At 37,000 miles, the left-hand (front bank) catalytic converter pipe near the cylinder head mounting flange weld failed and was replaced under warranty by GM. Now, at just 88,000 miles, the same pipe has cracked again—at the identical location—and is not being covered by GM, forcing us to pay for repairs out of pocket. This is not simply a case of wear and tear. The failure not only resulted in significant performance issues, but also caused the housing of the fan to melt due to excessive heat exposure, posing a serious safety hazard. This repeated failure clearly indicates a design or manufacturing defect, and I’m appalled that GM has not acknowledged this as a broader issue—despite evidence suggesting this is a known and frequent problem with this vehicle model. In my view, the failure of the same part in the same location twice, within a relatively low mileage span, reflects an unacceptable lack of quality control. It is deeply disappointing that GM has not issued a recall or offered to cover this repair, which is demonstrably caused by the same flaw as before. This situation feels less like responsible customer support and more like an attempt to profit from known issues, leaving loyal customers to shoulder the financial burden. I am requesting immediate reassessment of this case, full coverage for this second repair, and a formal acknowledgment of this defect. I also encourage GM to investigate this issue further and consider issuing a recall to prevent others from experiencing similar damage and expenses.
NHTSA complaint #11675052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have push to start car. On my lunch i starting my car and I immediately notice the rpm went to 2500, which is high and it went up to 3000 and then the warning light flashed stability track error and check engine and swerving light I took a pic. I turn car off and wait a few min turned car back on and it was fine. No errors drove to get lunch and back no issues. Then on leaving work s ame thing happened but the error didn't go away. I was able to shift out of gear. Hard knocking, gear shifter light all white no clue what gear it was in I moved to another parking spot but was slow moving very delayed. Parked and now waiting for tow truck
NHTSA complaint #11656648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vin should have been included in this: N182186881-01 - Special Coverage Evaporator Core Icing, Leak Revised Warranty section I have had the issue for many years due to not receiving the notice. The car leaks, hisses, smokes and does not cool at all. I was told I must only take it to them for 250 diagnostic but they also said it was a havoc reprogramming that cost the 2,500 to fix. I have a estimate from a triple a recommended mechanic that says its the evaporator coil. My miles just hit 80,000 but its been going on for years because I haven't had the money to fix it and make payments. Chevy arbitrator states the miles are low and the dealer i bought it from, Conly in Brighton Michigan, should put my vin on the recall list. They say they don't know how/will not. The arbitrator didn't give me on digit for her call back extension. I do have proof of the car having no air at 49,000 miles when a mechanic couldn't find the issue because it was to far down in the car. I don't trust taking the car to them after being diagnosed without seeing the car. BBB auto said I exceeded milage but i wouldn't have if I would have been informed asap My vin should have been in the recall. I have the same make and type of car. Why did they exclude me? I hardly drive the car and was an essential employee . everything was closed I was in the year allowed and under the miles if I would have got the notice Please help
NHTSA complaint #11639809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was sold a used car w/ undisclosed accidents. Had many issues within first few weeks. Had transmission cooler lines replaced after they burst. Radiator, compressor, condenser, and much more. Then the Airbag light came on. Dealership said connectors were bad. Fixed it. Light came on again.took it in to dealership. They had it for over two weeks. The GM for all the dealerships Told me the vehicle was not unsafe and told me lies. But the service girl confessed she no longer had access to my vehicle or my file and her boss and the Gm had taken over working on it. She then told me they pulled Ford model air bags from my Chevy Impala. Now the light has come on again. I do not feel safe or rust the dealership to fix it properly.
NHTSA complaint #11625701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it displayed was "engine power reduced." I put my car into reverse, having no choice but to drive it and the traction control went out. My father in law pulled the code and it said something about the accelerator sensor. This is a known issue and recall in other models and I wanted to report it is also happening in my model.
NHTSA complaint #11620617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Several different instances I've had my parking brake release as soon as I go to move after being parked for a long period of time. (I never set my parking brake to begin with so I don't understand why it keeps telling me it's released) Once it tells me it's been released, it's followed by a rough jersey of the car and then I'm able to move. Ever since I bought the car, there was a small shake. The dealer had to cover the front strut assemblies that were going out at the time of purchase; but since then the shake is unbelievable. I've put tires on, checked all parts of the chassis, and don't see any visible defects that would cause the shake. They have no answers or ideas of how to fix it for me. The faux metal ring around the cupholders on the center console has been cracking since the date of purchase and it finally caught on a cup and broke and has cut myself and my child several times. I had to end up ripping the trim off just to be able to use the cupholders. Lastly, the car seems like it's not gaining enough power sometimes. I keep up on services and general maintenance, and nothing seems to help. It sounds like the exhaust is leaking, and again, there are no visible defects when looking under the car.
NHTSA complaint #11619533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the highway in anchorage ak I heard a loud bang like a gunshot , when the vehicle was inspected I was told basically Evap, fuel system , fans , electrical , Cadillac converter exploded was the loud bang ! Serious issues have caused the vehicle to be inoperable !
NHTSA complaint #11615402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.