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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 2
Average Mileage:
74,539 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 8 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #47

Jun 172009

Impala

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This problem started several years ago. At random engine will not start. This seems to affect many different models of cars. I have a 2001 Chevy Impala. I used to have to replace the battery bc it would happen every yr. Now I have to turn key to on and wait ten minutes to crank it. I am a single female and this problem is not only inconvenient but unsafe. Something needs to be done to correct it. I have spoken with my dealer and they acknowledge the problem but say nothing works for it and not to spend the money and there is nothing they can do. There has to be something because of numerous complaints here and on the internet.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #46

Feb 012008

Impala

  • 75,000 miles
2001 Impala won't start at different times have to wait 20-30 minutes, door locks don't work anymore, inside lights don't won't when this happens they come on at different times, when security light comes on sometimes the ac doesn't work. I had the ignition lock changed but still same problem. This is a safety issue at night since I am a single parent with grandchildren and also in the heat of summer having to wait for the car to start.

- Springtown, TX, USA

problem #45

May 292009

Impala

  • 125,000 miles
I have 2001 Chevy Impala and it has starting issues. It doesn't start at times and it's getting to be more often and nothing will get it to start. I just leave it sit, sometiimes for 2 hours and it may or may not start. It quit while getting ready to stop at a red light and almost caused an accident, as I couldn't steer my car and it smelled hot. Also the blinkers won't work at times and I have to press my emergency flasher switch to get them to work. I have replaced the starter and the starting issue hasn't improved at all. It is very maddening as I never know when it will not start when I go to leave somewhere and it's very undependable to take anywhere. Please can you help with this problem? it has been happening for the last year and is happening more often lately.

- Center, ND, USA

problem #44

Mar 012009

Impala

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The BCM (body control module) caused my 01 Impala to do some crazy things. It started with turn signals intermittently working. My wife and I were in several near accidents because other drivers could not tell what we were doing. Then it progressed to each time that I applied the breaks the headlights would flash from high beam to low beam at least a dozen times. It distracted the drivers in front of me when driving at night. On many occasions it caused the entire dash instrumentation to fail with the exception of the speedometer. The message center would give me false indications of required maintenance and low tire pressure. Twice it locked the car out on "security" the vehicle would also intermittently start. After about 10minutes the vehicle typically started backup again. Once, the vehicle left the headlights on after vehicle was turned off. I had to disconnect the battery to keep it fromdraining the battery. Again, after about 10 minutes it would allow something to reset and all would be fine. After searching on the internet for similar problems on the make and model I took it toa GM dealer leading them towards the BCM. I didn't want to pay an exuberant amount of money forthem to chase an "electrical ghost". after $500 they replaced the BCM and the vehicle ran perfect for about 2 1/2 months and now the turn signals are intermittent once again.

- Seaford, DE, USA

problem #43

Jan 012007

Impala

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the electrical system in the vehicle was faulty and a major safety risk. The turn signals do not work, the dome light remains illuminated, the trunk opens automatically, the security light illuminates, the headlights flash off and on, and the daytime running lamps do not illuminate. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 205,000 and failure mileage was 90,000.

- Greenville, AL, USA

problem #42

Nov 052008

Impala

  • miles
I have a 2001 Chevy Impala and when you go to start the car it won't start. It doesn't do it all the time, but when it happens it takes numerous attempts with the key to get it started.

- Henryville, IN, USA

problem #41

Jan 152006

Impala

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Service traction system, ABS light continue to come on. I have taken the vehicle to get serviced for this problem since I purchased it. It had one of the bearings replaced while under warranty, but I've had to replace the other bearing, and hub sensors at my expense. The ABS brake system activates for no reason and creates a vibration and inability to brake on time. The car also has a security light come on intermittently and the car sometimes doesn't start for no apparent reason. Usually if we wait about 30 min. It will turn back on, but I have had it towed to a dealership when nothing would turn it on. The check engine light is on and was first told it was the egr valve that needs to be replaced, but now am being told it needs a new catalytic converter. I've taken it to a certified dealership at least 5 times a year since 2006 and these problems are never corrected.

- Gregory, TX, USA

problem #40

Jan 292009

Impala

  • 5,000 miles
I own a 2001 Chevy Impala. Basically since the moment I bought it, it would randomly flash the "security" light then not start. I got several explanations about why (security fob, neutral switch, battery) and took it in several times for repairs. Because they couldn't replicate the problem, they said, well, don't worry, it's just an intermittent problem. I guess that's easy to say when you're not stuck on the side of the road with a non-starting car... now I find out that Chevy installed a passlock system which is supposed to keep your car from being stolen, but that since it was installed in their new cars, it causes this problem. They refuse to recall the cars and fix the security system problems, instead forcing their customers to waste time and money on something that they should fix.

- East Helena, MT, USA

problem #39

Jan 152009

Impala

  • 45,000 miles
2001 no-start situation similar to hundreds of others that are posted on the internet for the 2000-2003 Chevy Impala & Malibu (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.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

problem #38

Jan 052008

Impala

  • 122,000 miles
My Chevy Impala ls 2001 don"T start sometimes.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #37

Nov 282008

Impala

  • 149,345 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stalling at stoplights and stop signs, and driving down the road with no warning. Numerous mechanics have looked at it and no conclusion has been made. Finally it stalled and now its stranded. It will not start.

- Auburn , IN, USA

problem #36

Nov 152008

Impala

  • 67,500 miles
I owned a 2001 Chevrolet Impala automobile. "security lock" light came on during normal drive 2 days before car failure. On the morning of failure, car doors were unresponsive to remote key. A continuous low droning noise emits from inside of dashboard. When key was inserted into ignition cylinder and turned, nothing happens. Engine did not start, electronic system checks did not come alive. Not even a sputtering sound from the car hood. After checking online for similar problem, profile fits the recurrent problem of passlock sensor of general motor cars. Car technicians quoted me $400 - $600 for replacement of ignition switch and cylinder; $600 on average for change of body control module. www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/T147983.html www.topix.com/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Impala/T30R7cej84ktjel1M/P4 to the best of my knowledge, this recurring problem has been reported on various sources for the past 7 years. To this day, it remains un-resolved. I implore the authorities to take charge and investigate thoroughly the extent of this "non-start" problem that afflicts thousands and thousands of Chevrolet cars on the road. Sincerely yours, dexter (keng hao) chun

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

problem #35

Nov 142008

Impala

  • miles
This is an ongoing repeated problem. My 2001 Impala randomly won't start about 3 times a week. I will take the key out of the ignition wait 10 minutes and the security (passlock) system will reset and the car will crank, but no time in between...this has been going on for about 8 months now and I have seen numerous occasions of this happening to other people both that I have spoken with and that I have read online.. this does not just occur in Chevrolet. One person said that it occurred in a Pontiac. I would assume this is a GM problem...and why has this not been recalled" this is an extreme inconvenience from Chevrolet and I have read instances where the problem had been fixed by replacing the ignition, BCM, etc. And this problem still continues. Why are there so many people with this problem and no known solution. Recall? defect"

- Abita Springs, LA, USA

problem #34

Jul 072008

Impala

  • miles
For the past few months, my 2001 Chevy Impala has been very difficult to turn the ignition to start. It is becoming increasingly worse as time goes on. I have to keep turning the wheel as I turn the ignition to get it to start. I am thinking that one day I will not be able to turn it. I have no idea why this is happening.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #33

Aug 012008

Impala

  • 38,000 miles
2001 chevorlet/Impala purchased new, current miles 51,000. Intermittant loss of directionals. * complete loss of directionals and emergency signals. Failed recent car inspection. Additional failures include: Complete brake loss at 38,000. Resulting in replacement of entire brake system. Firestone tire, West roxbury, MA stated on documents that "rotors were thinned down to size of sheet of paper &/or completely gone." Two tire blowouts at 35,000, also replaced by above repair shop, with 4 new tires. Battery leak with corrosion to extent of need of connection cables to be rebuilt for attachment. Battery replaced with new connections at 40,000 by sears auto body in dedham, MA. Passengar side wiper fixed and replaced after failure. Worked for 3 months and has failed again, has not at present been replaced/repaired. Care of car was updated and maintained according to all requirements/recommendations by manufacturer. No history of accidents. This including, oil changes, wiper blade changes, tire rotations with evey other oil change, which was done every 3 monts, etc. Brake inspection and pads changed on car 1 year before complete failure. Brake loss was thankfully uneventful only due to time of night and low traffic, only able to stop car with gliding to stop. Then towed to service station. On average my present yearly milage is probably less than 3000. I am the only driver/operator to this car and althogh mentioned #1 owner, my father originally purchased the car, (howard chevorlet, West roxbury, MA) but did not drive it. I currently am the title holder. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any recommendations that could help me. I feel that there is major failure that beyond my control and is dangerous to myself, others and most important to me, my 4 Y/O daughter. Thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you (someone) soon. Teresa corrigan

- Dedham, MA, USA

problem #32

Jan 012007

Impala

  • miles
Major electrical failures on our 2001 Chevy Impala. Turn signals work intermittently, power windows failing, alarm sounds if the remote key is used to open car. I have read many complaints online and experienced a couple from acquaintances as well.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #31

Sep 012008

Impala

  • 104,000 miles
My car randomly doesn't like to start. I have been stranded in many places because of it. I do not think it is fair to me to have to be late to work just because my car doesn't feel like starting for 10 minutes. It's getting to the point where I am going to have to start it like a half hour early just so I know that I won't be late to work. I have also been stranded at a store at night. What would have happened if someone would have came up to me...let me see a young girl sitting in a car late at night all by herself...that's not a good way to get robbed or anything else...thank you GM for a wonderful car.

- Clinton , ME, USA

problem #30

Sep 042008

Impala

  • 80,000 miles
Passlock system in Chevy Impala prevents car from starting intermittently. Depending on circumstances, location, and persons on board, this could lead to illness or injury.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #29

Jul 202008

Impala

  • 131,256 miles
2001 Chevy Impala security light came on for a week car shuts down while driving, won't start, only after 30 minutes it will start, installing a new passlock ignition switch cost of over $500 with tow and diagnostics, this should be a recall, or covered by GM. This is the cost if this works it still could be something else, but the code reader spit out the passlock fault.

- St Stephen, MN, USA

problem #28

Jun 032008

Impala

  • 85,000 miles
2001 Impala sometimes won't start. Had car three years. Replaced ignition cylinder once already. When this happens you turn the key clockwise and wait 10 minutes then turn off and try again. Usually after 10 minutes it will start, but sometimes have to go to round 2 or 3 and once through round 7. that's right an hour and a half! occurs about 4-5 times a month I'd guess. Not what you want to have to endure alone and 19 and late at night and my daughter. This is a safety hazard whether GM wants to admit it or not. This should be recalled and fixed!

- Bedford, TX, USA

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