2000 Chevrolet Impala Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical and starting problems tied to the Passlock security system and ignition switch, plus intermittent turn signal failures, usually at moderate mileage. A recurring theme in complaints is coolant loss from intake manifold gasket leaks, and several reports describe popping noises and engine bay fires on 3.8L V6 cars, some after a recall notice.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Passlock security light / no-start or stalling

   • 117 complaints (14%)
   • median 101,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (73 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2020

   Owners describe a security light that comes on randomly, after which the car will not crank or shuts off while driving. Many report waiting 10 to 20 minutes before the engine will start again, and some say repeated dealer visits and ignition switch replacements did not resolve it. Complaints describe the dealer attributing the behavior to the Passlock theft-deterrent system. Reported from under 45,000 miles up to about 160,000 miles, with many between 75,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or Passlock system has been serviced, and confirm the ignition recall work was done. During a test drive, check that the security light does not flicker and that the car restarts normally after being shut off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I currently drive a 2000 chevy Impala. My car fails to start because of the passlock feature. It has happen 4 times in the past 2 months. The most recent time occurred while I was actually driving my vehicle on the road. Luckily I was on a residential street blocks away from my home and not on the highway in the middle of nowhere.”

   NHTSA complaint #10279508, filed 2009-08, 140,000 miles

   “For the last year my security light will randomly come on. Soon after..sometimes hours, sometimes days...the car will not start. I contacted my dealer and they said it is a passlock security code problem. The car thinks it is getting stolen and you have to wait 15-20 minutes and try again. The code is easy to fix but it is also $395. The only place that can fix it is the dealership. I have done some investigating and many impalas have this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10163045, filed 2006-07, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine bay fire or intake manifold rupture on start

   • 165 complaints (20%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (115 state mileage)
   • 75 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2021

   Complaints describe a loud pop or bang when cranking the engine, followed by smoke and flames from under the hood, with the intake manifold cracked or blown apart. Some owners report a fuel smell or oil dripping onto hot exhaust parts. A number of these vehicles had recall notices outstanding or had been repaired under earlier campaigns, according to the complaints. Reported across a wide range, from about 76,000 to over 200,000 miles, often when starting the car.

   Recall 09V116000Recall 15V701000Recall 04V090000

   What to check: Ask whether recalls 09V116, 15V701 and 04V090 were completed and keep documentation. Look for oil residue on the exhaust manifold and check the fuel pressure regulator area for leaks or a fuel smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I turned the key in my car to start it, there was a very loud pop and the engine started smoking. The engine then caught fire and is totally destroyed. This car had been used 2 days prior with no issues, no safety lights on, no issues driving and it started fine that last time it was driven. The fire department has sent me a report on the cause.”

   NHTSA complaint #11299084, filed 2020-01, 188,000 miles

   “I went out to start my 2000 chevy Impala with a 3.8l engine and upon cranking the engine there was a load bang. I immediately noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood. I got out and opened the hood and saw that the top of the engine was on fire. I was able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. I towed the vehicle to a local dealer and it was noted that the upper intake manifold had exploded and the fire was caused by the fuel line being displaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10152823, filed 2006-03, 106,984 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering noise, stiffness or loss of assist

   • 100 complaints (12%)
   • median 57,386 mi at 5.3 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe whining or groaning from the steering column, steering that becomes stiff or seems to lock at certain angles, and occasional sudden loss of power assist. Complaints mention rack and pinion or pump replacement, leaking power steering hoses, and mechanics being unable to reproduce the problem during inspection. Reported from about 43,000 to 235,000 miles, with many between 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for whine or groan while turning the wheel at low speed, and check the power steering fluid level and for leaks at the hoses and rack. Ask whether the rack, pump or hoses have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: while driving and without warning the steering rod broke. Weather was not a factor. Dealer told caller they did not have a mechanic. Later, the dealer told caller what was wrong with it, and caller's father said it looked like it had been welded before. Manufacturer stated they could not do anything to help him. Caller has not got the problem fixed yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10124131, filed 2005-06, 77,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer stated while stopping at a red light a strange odor entered the vehicle followed by a loss of power steering. He managed to drive the vehicle to the dealer, where the dealer determined that vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The dealer replaced the power steering fluid hose at the consumer expense. The consumer was told the serpentine needed to be replaced. There was damage to the suspension. Updated 01/11/06.”

   NHTSA complaint #10145297, filed 2005-12, 54,850 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket coolant leak

   • 86 complaints (11%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (68 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $802 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners describe slowly disappearing coolant with no obvious external leak, sometimes with overheating, low coolant light, white exhaust or coolant mixing into the oil. Repairs commonly involve the lower intake manifold gasket, and in some cars the plastic upper intake manifold. Several complaints mention repeat failures after a prior gasket replacement. Reported from about 47,000 to 150,000 miles, frequently between 75,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 09V116000Recall 15V7010001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for coolant residue around the intake manifold and under the oil filler cap. Ask for service records showing whether the intake manifold gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Plastic upper intake manifold warped, allowing coolant to leak (supposedly not into engine). I believe a recall exists for the 3.8 liter generation ii engine in other applications, but not in the 2000 (and later) Chevrolet Impala. Repair was made at my expense (outside warranty period), but I believe this vehicle should be included in GM's recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10004891, filed 2003-01, 47,200 miles

   “While driving on the freeway I have noticed that me steering wheel became very stiff and smoke started to come out from the hood. I drove the car home slowly, and the next day taken it to the chevy dealership. My engine was blown due to the lower intake manifold gasket (which already had been replaced) and the head gasket was blown. I had to replace a brand new engine.($4k). Next my transmission was completely done, and I had to replace that. The radiator was messed up and had to replace that as well as the starter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10272693, filed 2009-06, 89,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals stop working intermittently

   • 71 complaints (9%)
   • median 92,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2019

   Turn signals quit intermittently and often come back after the hazard lights are switched on and off, or work fine one day and not the next. Complaints describe dealers being unable to duplicate the problem or recommending replacement of the combined turn signal and hazard switch unit. Some owners mention the multi-function switch is sold as one piece, which makes the repair costly. Mostly reported between roughly 44,000 and 100,000 miles, often noticed in wet weather.

   What to check: Test both turn signals and the hazards, and try the hazard on-off cycle that owners describe. Ask whether the turn signal/hazard switch has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Impala has intermittent problems with the direction signals. At times they work fine and other times they don't. Sometimes while the directional is working it will stop for no reason. This has resulted in several near rear end collisions even with arm signals. This occurs on a nearly daily basis. I am waiting to see if there is a recall as the cost to replace is approximately $500 as the directional signal is sold as a single unit (directional arm and flashing unit are 1 piece). The unit itself is over $300.”

   NHTSA complaint #10284430, filed 2009-09, 92,000 miles

   “I have been experiencing frequent (every day) turn signal failures with my 2000 Impala ls. My Impala has the 3.8 liter motor and 94,000 miles. The hazard switch seems to be the reason for the failure. I have looked at several online auto help forums and this problem is an epidemic around the nation. Gm has recalled malibu models for the same exact problem but not impalas. The switch is a $50 part but GM wants $300-$400 to replace it. It is a safety hazard that GM is aware of. Please force their hand in this safety matter. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #10206765, filed 2007-10, 90,000 miles

Buying note. This model year has a long list of known, well-documented wear items: check the recall status for the ignition and engine compartment campaigns first, then have a mechanic inspect the intake manifold gaskets, power steering system and turn signal switch before buying. Service records showing prior repairs matter more than mileage on a car this old.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.