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Chevrolet Impala Recall 15V701: Oil Leak Onto Hot Exhaust Can Cause Engine Fire

NHTSA campaign 15V701, reported October 26, 2015, 1,003,556 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Engine oil can drip onto the hot exhaust manifold on these vehicles. Oil hitting that hot surface may cause a fire. An earlier repair under previous recalls did not fully remove this risk, so GM is issuing an improved remedy.

The fix is free at an authorized dealer: the technician will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket. If your vehicle was already repaired under recall 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 but has not yet received this improved remedy, it will be covered under the original recall number. Until the repair is done, park the vehicle outside, because the fire risk can exist even when the vehicle is unattended.

Check your VIN for open recalls, and contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-458-8006. GM's recall number for this campaign is 15757.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 15V701General Motors LLC
Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Risk
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy
The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Buick Regal19971998199920002001200220032004
Chevrolet Impala20002001200220032004
Chevrolet Lumina19981999
Chevrolet Monte Carlo1998199920002001200220032004
Oldsmobile Intrigue19981999
Pontiac Grand Prix19971998199920002001200220032004