Manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Impala

Engine oil leaks on manifold and could cause a fire.

My sons chevy Impala was in our driveway untouched for two days. When he got in it and turned the key to start the vehicle the intake manifold exploded and caused an engine fire. While online I found this has been a problem for years!!! why hasn't this been addressed? he could have died. And if I wasn't in the yard to react and put the fire out my house could have gone up with it.

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when turning the vehicle's ignition switch, the vehicle's intake manifold failed and caught on fire. The failure caused the head gasket cover to fracture and detach. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold, the sensor, and the head gasket cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. The VIN was not available.

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. The consumer stated the vehicle leaked oil all the time and 15 years later, she received a recall regarding the issue.

We were trying to jump start the car, and when trying to start the engine there was a loud explosion, and the intake manifold destroyed.

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.

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.

I have a 2001 chevy Impala with a 3. 8l v6. Monday around 9:45am I went outside to start my vehicle and I saw that the battery was dead so I got a neighbor of mine to come over with their car and put on jumper cables and allowed the battery to charge, after waiting for it to charge, I turned the key. When I turned the key I heard a loud explosion, and the plastic intake manifold exploded and caught on fire. The fire had to be put out with a fire extinguisher to put it out. I had plastic pieces all over. I want to know why I haven't recieved a recall on this if there has been reports of this issue.

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.

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.

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 updated 06/23/09.

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 updated 08/13/09.

While jump starting vehicle intake manifold explodes. No start condition.

While jump starting vehicle intake manifold explodes. No start condition.

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?.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Consumer smelled antifreeze for some time. Then, while having an oil change, it was discovered there was a leak in the intake manifold seal.

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.

Manifold and pump gasket leaked. The low coolant light came on.

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.

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. ".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.