Chevrolet Impala Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.

46
Total Recalls
7579
Total Complaints
484
Total Crashes
444
Reported Injuries
6
Reported Deaths
2004
Worst Year
2020
Best Year
0
Poor
Overall Reliability Score (0–100)

Own a Chevrolet Impala? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Chevrolet Impala — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison

YearVerdictRecallsComplaintsCrashesInjuriesDeathsTop Issue
2020BestExcellent101SteeringFull report →
2019Excellent111Electrical SystemFull report →
2018Excellent13542Unknown Or OtherFull report →
2017Excellent6667Unknown Or OtherFull report →
2016Good9153Electrical SystemFull report →
2015Good123775Electrical SystemFull report →
2014Avoid8526156Electrical SystemFull report →
2013Good2431711Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Full report →
2012Good21771910Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Full report →
2011Caution14432932Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Full report →
2010Caution23991416Electrical SystemFull report →
2009Avoid26554542Air BagsFull report →
2008Avoid157834281Electrical SystemFull report →
2007Avoid143953551Electrical SystemFull report →
2006Caution14235439SteeringFull report →
2005Caution14352321Electrical SystemFull report →
2004WorstAvoid47024551Electrical SystemFull report →
2003Caution34472016Electrical SystemFull report →
2002Avoid35783231Electrical SystemFull report →
2001Avoid752022332Electrical SystemFull report →
2000Avoid756439362Electrical SystemFull report →

21 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.

Most Common Chevrolet Impala Problems

Electrical System
1717
Engine
622
Steering
609
Air Bags
490
Power Train
479
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
381
Engine And Engine Cooling
365
Exterior Lighting
355
Vehicle Speed Control
307
Unknown Or Other
288
Service Brakes
243
Suspension
242

Based on 7,579 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

Impala Years to Avoid

2004 Impala
702 complaints · 4 recalls · 45 crashes
Details →
2009 Impala
655 complaints · 2 recalls · 45 crashes
Details →
2000 Impala
564 complaints · 7 recalls · 39 crashes · 2 deaths
Details →

Ranked by combined complaints, recalls, crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Best Impala Years to Buy

2020 Impala
10 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →
2019 Impala
11 complaints · 1 recalls
Details →

Years with fewest complaints and recalls.

Chevrolet Impala Problems by Year

Select a year to see detailed complaints, recall notices, and safety incident data.

Frequently Asked Questions — Chevrolet Impala Reliability

What year Impala has the most problems?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2004 Chevrolet Impala had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 702 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 2004 report for specific defects.

Is the Chevrolet Impala reliable?

The Chevrolet Impala has accumulated 7,579 owner-filed complaints and 46 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 6 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2020 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Impala.

What are the most common Impala problems?

The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (1717 reports), Engine (622 reports), Steering (609 reports), Air Bags (490 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.

How do I check if my Impala has an open recall?

Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Check a Specific Chevrolet Impala VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Run a Free Chevrolet Impala VIN Report →

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