VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Chevrolet Impala2000–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Chevrolet Impala
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Chevrolet Impala Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 702 complaints
51 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall · 655 complaints
42 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
7 recalls · 564 complaints
36 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Impala became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 15, 2026.
Chevrolet Impala — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 12 | — | — | 79 | 87 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 13 | — | — | 79 | 83 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 35 | 2 | — | 79 | 77 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 66 | 7 | — | 69 | 70 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 92 | 3 | — | 65 | 63 | 64 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 242 | 6 | — | 54 | 56 | 55 | Good |
| 2014 | 7 | 532 | 6 | — | 54 | 50 | 53 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 0 | 244 | 11 | — | 54 | 45 | 51 | Good |
| 2012 | 1 | 177 | 10 | — | 54 | 41 | 49 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 443 | 32 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2010 | 1 | 399 | 16 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2009 | 1 | 655 | 42 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 0 | 578 | 28 | 1 | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 1 | 441 | 55 | 1 | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 1 | 423 | 39 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | 437 | 21 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2004 | 4 | 702 | 51 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 4 | 447 | 16 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Caution |
| 2002 | 4 | 578 | 31 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 6 | 520 | 33 | 2 | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 7 | 564 | 36 | 2 | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Chevrolet Impala Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Impala compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 82).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 69).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Impala to buy?+
The 2020 Chevrolet Impala scores highest on our Buyer Score (82/100) — combining a reliability score of 79/100 with a value score of 87/100. It has 0 recalls and 12 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Impala years have the most problems?+
The 2004, 2009, 2000 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2004 Impala leads with 4 recalls and 702 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Impala problems?+
The most frequently reported Chevrolet Impala issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.