Chevrolet Impala Problems by Year
NHTSA has 10,399 owner complaints and 31 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Impala, across 26 model years (1995–2020). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (1,073). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
_1X7A7173.jpg){kind=link}
Chevrolet Impala years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Impala year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Impala: 1,073 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2009 Impala: 824 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2000 Impala: 818 complaints, 7 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1997 Impala: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1998 Impala: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Impala: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Impala problems (all years)
Chevrolet Impala problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2015: electrical system (96)
- 2014: electrical system (221) · steering (140) · electronic stability control (esc) (104) · service brakes (83) · engine (56)
- 2013: electronic stability control (esc) (108) · electrical system (52) · service brakes (51)
- 2012: electrical system (58) · electronic stability control (esc) (54)
- 2011: electronic stability control (esc) (132) · engine (125) · electrical system (95) · seats (77) · vehicle speed control (69) · power train (64)
- 2010: electrical system (132) · air bags (103) · engine (88) · electronic stability control (esc) (74) · power train (67)
- 2009: air bags (232) · electrical system (224) · engine (179) · vehicle speed control (130) · electronic stability control (esc) (108) · power train (68) · steering (57)
- 2008: electrical system (221) · engine (134) · suspension (117) · steering (94) · vehicle speed control (92) · power train (91) · electronic stability control (esc) (58) · air bags (50)
- 2007: electrical system (128) · steering (101) · suspension (85) · power train (80) · engine (77) · tires (55)
- 2006: steering (135) · electrical system (124) · power train (108) · engine (59)
- 2005: electrical system (331) · steering (60) · power train (52)
- 2004: electrical system (681) · exterior lighting (104) · engine (71) · steering (63) · service brakes, hydraulic (51)
- 2003: electrical system (264) · exterior lighting (103) · engine (88) · engine and engine cooling (80) · service brakes, hydraulic (54)
- 2002: electrical system (305) · exterior lighting (123) · engine and engine cooling (106) · engine (75) · service brakes, hydraulic (63) · steering (57)
- 2001: electrical system (225) · engine and engine cooling (123) · steering (76) · exterior lighting (73) · engine (68) · power train (57) · service brakes, hydraulic (56)
- 2000: electrical system (187) · engine and engine cooling (159) · steering (124) · air bags (80) · engine (71) · exterior lighting (67) · fuel system, gasoline (53) · power train (52)
All Chevrolet Impala model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Impala | 15 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Impala | 28 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 Impala | 59 | 1 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 Impala | 117 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 Impala | 111 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 Impala | 300 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 Impala | 636 | 12 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Impala | 272 | 1 | 4★ | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 Impala | 258 | 3 | 4★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2011 Impala | 505 | 2 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | More complaints than other years |
| 2010 Impala | 442 | 4 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2009 Impala | 824 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2008 Impala | 810 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Impala | 627 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 Impala | 524 | 1 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 Impala | 609 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Impala | 1,073 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Impala | 695 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 Impala | 795 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Impala | 742 | 7 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Impala | 818 | 7 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Impala | 4 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 Impala | 2 | 0 | — | Steering | |
| 1997 Impala | 1 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 1996 Impala | 88 | 0 | — | Visibility | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1995 Impala | 44 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far fewer complaints than other years |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Impala years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (818), 2001 (742), 2002 (795), 2003 (695), 2004 (1,073), 2005 (609), 2007 (627), 2008 (810), 2009 (824), 2014 (636) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Impala year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Impala?
Electrical System, with 3,429 complaints across 23 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Impala have?
31 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.