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2000 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Chevrolet Impala has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Intake manifold fracture or explosion during startup.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Chevrolet Impala.

Reported to NHTSA

Intake manifold fracture or explosion during startup

ENGINE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2017-09

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED FUEL AND RELEASED VAPORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992445
“I WENT TO START MY 2000 CHEVY IMPALA AFTER SITTING FOR 2 DAYS IN THE COLD. IT WOULD NOT START. WE OPENED THE ENGINE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I TRIED TO START THE CAR ONE MORE TIME AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10691709
“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HEARD A BOMB NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE COVER, FUEL CAP, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11022889

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key rotation or fallout while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

22 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2020-12

“WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IMMEDIATELY, THE KEYS FELL FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ONTO THE FLOORBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10644533
“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE KEY EMITTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE KEY BACK; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10764506
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE KEY POSITION MOVED WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11230751

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Anti-theft Passlock system prevents engine start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2010-11 → 2017-06

“UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE KEY. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WILL START AFTER A LONG DELAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10625767
“THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK/BCM SYSTEM. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10545078
“CAR WILL NOT START. IT APPEARS TO BE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. NEED TO WAIT FOR SYSTEM TO RESET AND IT WILL START”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10429186

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel seizure or rack-and-pinion failure

STEERING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2010-11 → 2019-07

“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10887737
“THE RACK AND PINION ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. I DONT FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH DRIVING THIS CAR AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10823725
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO BE SCRAPED ON THE LEFT SIDE FROM A GUARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811757

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded brake line failure at pedal application

SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2014-10

“I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GAVE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF MY FOOT AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651657
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES MILDLY. MY FOOT FELT NORMAL BRAKE RESISTANCE FOR AN INSTANT AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10625765
“APPLIED BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUNK ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR HOLDING NO PRESSURE WHICH CAUSE ME TO ROLL THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651514

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire from exhaust manifold oil leak

ENGINE

19 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2021-04

“WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10859836
“I WENT TO START MY CAR, WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR A COUPLE DAYS, AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY I HEARD A LOUD POP AND INSTANTLY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10661557
“THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413362

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal or side crash

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2018-10

“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11141230
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651707
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638218

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

436 crashes 1990–2024

How the 436 occupant deaths break down

305

driver deaths

131

passenger deaths

436

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

50

complaints mentioning a crash

74

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Chevrolet Impala reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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