NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
10 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT MY 1996 IMPALA SS BRAND NEW, AND EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN IN THE WINTER TIME I LOOSE THE HEAT. THE DEALER, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WOULD FLUSH THE HEATER CORE AND SOMETIMES REPLACE IT YEARLY. THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED, AND I HAVE LOST THE HEAT IN THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER FIX THE PROB…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 1996 IMPALA SS BRAND NEW, AND EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN IN THE WINTER TIME I LOOSE THE HEAT. THE DEALER, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WOULD FLUSH THE HEATER CORE AND SOMETIMES REPLACE IT YEARLY. THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED, AND I HAVE LOST THE HEAT IN THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING THE HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO THE OWNER, AND I HAVE TALKED TO MANY CAPRICE/IMPALA SS OWNERS OF THIS YEAR WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT IT, AND NOW THE OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH THE BILL AND IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM FIX IT YOU DRIVE IN A COLD CAR. IF THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, THEN CHEVY/DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FLUSHING OR REPLACING MY HEATER CORE(WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE HEAT) FOR AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS, I AM ONLY A SMALL GUY FIGHTING A GIANT. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS KJB. TS
NHTSA ODI #10000159
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
MANUFACTURER USED A PLASTIC TANK ON TOP OF RADIATOR INSTEAD OF METAL. PLASTIC TANK BECAME SPLIT, AND ANTIFREEZE POURED OUT, COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #898893
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND COOLANT LEAKAGE, CONSEQUENTLY CREATING A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. PRIOR ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY, AND POSSIBLY THE CURRENT HEAD GASKET DEFECT. PRIOR COOLANT LEAKAGE ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT CAUSED POWER STEERI…
Read full complaint
CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND COOLANT LEAKAGE, CONSEQUENTLY CREATING A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. PRIOR ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY, AND POSSIBLY THE CURRENT HEAD GASKET DEFECT. PRIOR COOLANT LEAKAGE ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT CAUSED POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING BELT AND ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT. POWER STEERING BELT AND ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED SEPT. 1999. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED NOV. 2000.
NHTSA ODI #744355
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLENT DEX COOL FAILED AT HALF ITS WARRANTY AND CAR DAMAGINGLY OVERHEATED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP. IT ALSO REQUIRED DAYS OF FLUSHING OUT THE HEATER CORE AND THE COOLING SYSTEM. IT MAY HAVE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED AN EXPENSIVE HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #740549
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SURGES WHEN COMING OFF OF IDLE. DEALER HAS STATED IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THAT GMC IS WORKING ON A FIX FOR THE EGR VALVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722841
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DOES NOT RESTART CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN TO THE DRIVER. YH
NHTSA ODI #550406
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM INDICATING THAT ABS IS DISABLED, RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS THIS CONDITION FOR A WHILE, DEALERS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. EGR AND EGR SOLENOID FAILED, 3 VISITS TO DEALER DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, BUT RATHER ON TWO OCCASSIONS THEY DELIBERATLY DISABLED THE EGR SYSTEM TO HIDE THE PROBLEM FROM ME. I…
Read full complaint
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM INDICATING THAT ABS IS DISABLED, RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS THIS CONDITION FOR A WHILE, DEALERS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. EGR AND EGR SOLENOID FAILED, 3 VISITS TO DEALER DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, BUT RATHER ON TWO OCCASSIONS THEY DELIBERATLY DISABLED THE EGR SYSTEM TO HIDE THE PROBLEM FROM ME. I FINALLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY REPLAING THE EGR SOLENOID AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
NHTSA ODI #711480
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
COVER GASKET DOES NOT HAVE PROPER HOLES TO LUBRICATE THE OUTER REAR AXLE.
NHTSA ODI #521017
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL COOLER HOSE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #517976
Mileage unknown · May 20, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #517296
NHTSA investigations
2EA99003 · Coolant Fires
Opened Jan 13, 1999 · Closed Aug 17, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE96001 · Rear Wheel Separation
Opened Jan 4, 1996 · Closed May 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM GM INDICATES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF WHEEL SEPARATIONS IS WARRANTED.IN GM'S RESPONSE DATED APRIL 26, 1996, GM STATED THAT:GM HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHIH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO WHEEL SEPARATION.INVESTIGATION AS TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHEEL SEPARATIONS IS CONTINUING.THE RESULTS OF THESE FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ASSESS THE PROBABILITY OF ANY FUTURE INCIDENTS . . .
Illustration