7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$820
Average Mileage:
89,500 miles
Total Complaints:
142 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. class action law suit pending, get on the list (55 reports)
  2. pay to replace the intake manifold gasket (54 reports)
  3. not sure (20 reports)
  4. replacing it myself (7 reports)
  5. replace gasket, flush radiator and engine (3 reports)
  6. general motors sells a stop leak (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #82

Sep 292008

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,422 miles

Also have collant leak (started last year and then seemed to go away - but is back), have replaced the window switch on driver door, blinkers work when THEY want to - not when I need them too, and have had the car fail to start several times for no apparent reason. I'll try again to start in about a half hour or so and it will then start!!! Driving us crazy. We loved this car and the way it road but are now getting nickle and dimed to death.

- Dale S., New Philadelphia, OH, US

problem #81

Jul 282008

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,450 miles

seem to be having problems that most 2002 impalas are having coolant light comes on and dealership says that manifold is leaking and that it will take close to $1000 to fix the issue

- Kenyatta B., Milwaukee, WI, US

problem #80

Jun 252007

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,429 miles

Low coolant light comes on, go to dealer. Says it intake gasket, fix it, 1200$.

Last GM for me...

- Frederik L., St-Amable, Quebec, Canada

problem #79

Jan 102008

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

Intake manifold replaced 2times,1st time about 58,000 and then again at 101,000 miles. !st fix obviously not good enough. Love the way the car drives but sick of the cooling problems. !st Chevy or gm purchase and definitely the last. at 103,000 miles had to have head gasket repaired, coolant leaking into the engine, 1500.00 repair cost, now i cant believe it but the catalytic converter is bad, thank goodness that is covered for up to 120,000 miles, boy is Chevy gonna here from me.I bought this car brand new and always maintained it properly. cant afford it any more. my 99 ford Taurus that i bought used is 100% more dependable. very disappointed in Chevrolet.

- terryny, Islip Terrace, NY, US

problem #78

Jul 012008

Impala 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

This car has been a pain in the a$$. The engine started running rough, and it seemed to mimic transmission problems (wouldn't shift properly and wouldn't go over 50mph)... found out the plenum had a few holes in it. Replaced plenum but it burnt right through again!!! What do I need to do? Any suggestions??? We are not sure where to go from here. Autozone said they will not cover another plenum.... ??????

- nicholasm, North Lewisburg, OH, US

problem #77

Dec 102007

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Since December of last year my car has been leaking coolant. Every morning I wake up to find a new puddle of coolant on the street. I took it to pepboys and they told me it would take over $1000 to fix. I want anyone who drives a car the uses the DexCool coolant to know that there is a lawsuit against Dex Cool. To get added to the lawsuit go to www.dexcoolsettlement.com. must file claim by October 27, 2008. If you want to sue GM on your own you must exclude yourself by August 13, 2008. for complete information and a Claim Form or for updates to this Notice: Call: 1-866-245-4291.

- Gregory M., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #76

Jun 262008

Impala Sedan 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

I love my car, but the cooling system really sucks!! I have replaced 2 cooling fans, and a radiator. It still gets hot, has a slow leak and GOD knows where, and the freakin low coolant level light made itself into a decor for my car!! I've heard of the intake manifold issue, but it hasn't hit there yet. No one seems to know where this slow leak is coming from. Where ever I go, there will be a trail of coolant!! It is a really nice car, but this issue needs to be addressed. I have read so many complaints of basically the same thing!!! And with the gas prices being so high, it's hard to keep taking it back to the shop for the same problem, but a new diagnosis that never seems to get fixed right!!!! So where do we go from here?

- Kimberly M., Galveston, TX, US

problem #75

Sep 072005

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,665 miles

Yet another victim of the 2002 Impala!!! We have had endless problems with the cooling system, which has led to many more problems. Intake manifold gasket, cooling fan motor coming apart, Cat converter, "low coolant" light comes on whenever it feels like it, "change engine oil" never turns off, not to mention the 3 DIFFERENT WINDOW REGULATORS!!!!!!!! I've gotten so good at replacing that stupid part, I would replace the 4th if the PART hadn't jumped to $120.00+ EACH (IF YOU CAN EVEN FIND THE REAR REGULATORS IN AN AUTO PART STORE) Well I'm sure I'll Have To SOON!

And how about those brakes. We have gone through 2 sets of rotors in the past 3 years.

Please let me know if there is a class action suit to get involved in. We need to hold them responsible for there inferior production!!!!

- Mike B., Palm Desert, CA, US

problem #74

Nov 152007

Impala Sedan 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

The 3.4L V6 2002 Impala is a piece of ! I have added enough coolant to the reservoir

to create my own environmental hazard. I never smell it, see it on the ground, or on the motor, but it definitely disappears somewhere!!! And that ** "low engine coolant" message will show up, despite the gauge showing that the temperature is A-OK. I am told that, eventually, that message will communicate with the computer...and will stop me dead in my tracks. I see from the posts on this site that the intake gasket is more than likely the problem. Well, that puts me in mind of another GM product, the Olds Delta 88. It had a plastic plenum and a tiny hole would appear, allowing coolant to get into the engine, "faking" a blown head gasket. It faked it so well that I spent over $300 and hours of shade tree mechanizing to replace the head gasket, only to find out from the dealer that it was the plenum. Parts guy failed to tell me it was a "common" problem.

And, GM wonders why their sales in the US are so dismal !!!

- Tommy B., Zwolle, LA, US

problem #73

Nov 012006

Impala 3.4L, V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

We checked the internet and saw that there were many people with this same problem. Contacting the Chevy dealer with this information did NOTHING! The dealer wanted between $1,000 and $1,500 to fix. We fixed it ourselves. Chevy needs to reimburse everyone for this. Get me on board for the lawsuit.

- flymaster, Quincy, MI, US

problem #72

Jan 172006

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I bought my Impala and it had a slight intake gasket leak, i bought an engine with 40000 miles on it for 800 and had it replaced for another 800, now with the newer engine in it, the intake gasket has started to leak again. The problem is that GM recommends the Dex cool coolant but didn't make their gaskets able to stand up to this coolant. The dex cool breaks down the gaskets causing a leak. So far i have replaced both hub bearing, the catalytic converter, the engine, and an o2 sensor. I had to do all of this except the hub bearings just so i could renew my registration in IL because you have to pass an inspection first before you can be legal to drive. Overall cost to keep my 2002 impala on the road....2500....If there is a class action lawsuit i would love to be added to it.

- Brian E., Orland Park, IL, US

problem #71

Jun 112003

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

YES, it's the coolant leak from the intake manifold gasket. So far I have put in stop leak and tightened down the manifold bolts. It seems to have slowed down the leak but not stopped completely. I have replaced two cats, one coolant sensor so far. Now I am having the powertrain module locking up and not permitting a engine start. I have to remove power to it for a reset and it will then start. I now also have the check engine light on. (haven't checked the code yet). I am a Chevy man but getting upset with some of these inferior design problems.

- Fritz H., Hartford, WI, US

problem #70

Jan 232008

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

I bought this car from an individual , it had 15,349 miles and was in excellent shape. My low coolant light came on and would stay on, then it started to leak in the driveway. I took it to a dealer and the mechanic knew what it was when I said low coolant light on. This is a very common problem with this engine. Was there a recall on this?

- Dexter W., stuttgart, ar, US

problem #69

Mar 212008

Impala LS 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

I just found out about this repair, and this site. Hope I can get some help

- David W., Toledo, OH, US

problem #68

May 052007

(reported on)

Impala 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Another Intake Gasket gone bad. What's up GM?

- Keith P., Amelia, VA, US

problem #67

Dec 112007

Impala 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,564 miles

well i have had this car since 2004 and it has just gave me problems every since the dang light switches don't work to roll up and down the window and the coolant leaks and it starts smokin this the worst problem i can think of for it to be fairly a new car i hardly ever drive it it doesn't seem like it Chevy should have something done about this problem and i would like to be on the civil suit if i can.

- Jamie E., Flowery Branch, GA, US

problem #66

Mar 092007

Impala 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

About a year ago my low coolant light came on. I checked the levels and they were fine. Added some water and it has not done it again....just today (Feb 20, 08) my car smells like burning coolant. Now I'm worried.

- dancinnanci, Vancouver, WA, US

problem #65

Feb 192008

Impala 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

I GUESS YOU CAN ADD ONE MORE TO THE LIST SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAVE TO HAVE TH INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. THAT CAR IS A PIECE OF S**t, AND WHEN WE GET THIS REPLACED I WANT TO GET RID OF IT, 1,000 REPAIR AND WE HAVEN'T FINISH PAYING FOR IT YET, CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, THAT'S TRULY ONE WAY TO LOOSE CUSTOMERS. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE THEY PRETTY MUCH DON'T GIVE A DAMN ( IN OTHER WORDS THE CANT BE SUED FOR SOMEONE DEATH AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTER TO THEM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY VEHICLE

- KRYSTAL P., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #64

Jan 022006

Impala 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Same problem as all the rest. Leaking coolant and low coolant light. Refill coolant but light stays on. I agree that with a know part weakness like this should be a recall item. Bummed out to say the least!

- Mark C., Madison, MS, US

problem #63

Jan 012008

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

Well, I can see that I'm having the same problems with my 2002 Impala as everyone else here. Low coolant light on, leaking antifreeze, was told that the DexCool (which is recommended for use in this car!) reacts with the gasket and eats is away, causing the leak. There should definitely be a recall or class action suit for this. Why should all of us consumers have to pay out the "you know what" for repair charges on this?? Needless to say, I am VERY upset. Right now, my car is at the dealership with an "estimated" repair bill of $1,000. I have had problems with this Impala since the day I bought it -- brand new! The brakes are terrible, have had them fixed so many times, turn signals stop working and/or only work when they want to, a/c hoses/vents problems, all of this is just ridiculous. It's really a shame because the Impala is a nice, roomy vehicle. But definitely not worth all this crap. If there is a recall on this cooland leak problem, would love to know -- and add me to the class action!

- Joyce D., G, MD, US

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