What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Chevrolet Impala

Typical pattern

5.3% of complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Impala came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (316 complaints), typically at 8.3 yr or about 81,555 miles.

Complaints
1,043
Median age at failure
7.0 yr
Median mileage
80,000 n=765
Crash / fire / tow
9.8% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
316 reports · 81,555 mi
8.3 yr
5.7%
Exterior lighting
129 reports · 77,000 mi
5.8 yr
1.6%
Engine cooling
107 reports · 75,000 mi
5.4 yr
4.7%
Engine
75 reports · 135,000 mi
14.2 yr
28%
Steering
59 reports · 48,000 mi
4.8 yr
6.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
56 reports · 47,000 mi
3.8 yr
5.4%
Air bags
45 reports · 75,000 mi
7.1 yr
51.1%
Power train
36 reports · 76,000 mi
3.7 yr
2.8%
Visibility
30 reports · 64,000 mi
3.8 yr
0%
Equipment
20 reports · 100,000 mi
7.6 yr
5%
Other
19 reports · 126,895 mi
11.6 yr
10.5%
Fuel system
17 reports · 78,700 mi
4.6 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V701000 2015-10-26
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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.

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

14V400000 2014-07-03
Electrical system:ignition

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In the

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

09V116000 2009-04-08
Engine cooling

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

09E005000 2009-02-17
Steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

08E063000 2008-10-17
Steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

02V222000 2002-08-09
Air bags:frontal

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 2 mo in service
CONSUMER BACKING UP AT ABOUT 3 MPH WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY.*AK *SLC
Power train mileage not reported 3 mo in service
WHEN ON AN INCLINE, VEHICLE WILL START TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. *JB
Power train mileage not reported 6 mo in service
WHEN IN DRIVE AND STOPPED AT AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK IF BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.*AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 2 mo in service
HORN IS VERY HARD TO LOCATE AND ACTIVATE WHEN NEEDED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE SEVRICE MANAGER SAYS THAT AIR BAGS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BLOW THE HORN DURING AN EMERGENCY CONDITION. ALL IMPALAS AND MALIBUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *YH

Other Impala model years

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

How to read this