Chevrolet Impala Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Impala model year from 1995–2020 using 10,393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 31 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2008, 2009 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Impala years at the same age. The best years are 2020, 2019 and 2018.

23model years
10,393complaints
31recalls
2008, 2009worst years
2020, 2019best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’2044888187427956951.1k609524627810824442505258272637300111117592815
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Impala. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202015−94%—ElectricalGood
201928−91%1ElectricalGood
201859−84%1ElectricalGood
2017117−73%—EngineGood
2016111−75%—ElectricalGood
2015300−37%3ElectricalAverage
20146371.4×12ElectricalAverage
2013272−41%1Traction ControlGood
2012258−46%3ElectricalGood
2011505typical2Traction ControlAverage
2010442typical4ElectricalAverage
20098241.6×5AirbagCaution
20088101.7×2ElectricalCaution
20076271.3×2ElectricalAverage
2006524typical1SteeringAverage
2005609typical1ElectricalAverage
20041,0731.8×4ElectricalCaution
2003695−13%5ElectricalAverage
20027951.3×4ElectricalAverage
2001742typical7ElectricalAverage
20008181.4×7EngineAverage
199688−80%—Wheel & TireGood
199544−90%—BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Impala year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Impala problems

Latest Chevrolet Impala recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

NHTSA recall 18V-576 · Aug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 16V-507 · Jul 5, 2016 · 289,254 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 15V-701 · Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 15V-465 · Jul 24, 2015 · 5,493 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 19, 2015, equipped with front vented-heated passenger seats.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will correct the calibration-learning error by preconditioning the empty seat, and also resetting the ECU to a seat zero-value, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 15V-201 · Apr 6, 2015 · 330,742 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge.

All 31 Chevrolet Impala recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Impala should you avoid?

2008, 2009 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Impala years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2008.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Impala?

2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Impala years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2018. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Impala problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (3,429), engine & cooling (1,926) and steering (1,195). Electrical complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Impala had?

31 recalls across 1995–2020. The model year with the most is 2014. See all Chevrolet Impala recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.