Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Fuel system or backfire is what I believe happened to it. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was severely put at risk because the car exploded and caught fire while I was inside the car and fire came through the dash and air conditioner slots, anything could of happened whether shrapnel or burn. this also put others at risk if my spouse was in the car with me or the apartment complex I live in could have caught fire and endangered multiple people. No the issue has not been seen or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Yes the vehicle has been inspected by state fire marshal. No there was no warning lights or problems at all. We drove the car the night before, everything was normal and nothing was showing on the dash and the next day I jumped in, put my seat belt on and started the car to make sure it was running good and it exploded and caught flames.
My vehicle caught on fire after I returned from it getting serviced by Pepboys in Phenix City Alabama. My car was only getting serviced for the A/C and once I returned home, my car caught on fire in our drive port.
Power windows fail at times Blinkers fail at times Front hub assembly damage Front calipers are damaged and affect steering These are available for inspection. There are huge safety risks with all of these compromised issues. Last inspection is unknown. No known warning lamps present.
I was driving along when out of no where my trunk opened. I got off the highway and closed it. At that time I was puzzled wondering who had been in my truck to have not closed it correctly. I knew I hadn't been in it in awhile. It wasn't until a few weeks later when the "Service Vehicle Soon" light on my dash came on. I went and had my vehicle scanned and was told about the TrapAlert system in the trunk and that is why my trunk popped open. I realize there was a post about this like a decade ago. But this is happening to me now and I can't find help for this issue anywhere. I've contacted both Chevrolet and GM support online as well as repair shops and no one seems to know what I'm talking about. GM told me they don't keep info on Vehicles older than 10 years. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) and was repaired. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and was rear ended by the vehicle in the rear. The contact stated that the instrument cluster on the dash panel also failed after the recall repair, which prevented him from seeing if any warning indicators were illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries, but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 02/24/15 updated 9/12/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle. On one occasion while driving, there was a odor of burning oil and then suddenly there was a fire near the engine. The front passenger was able to extinguish the flames under the hood. The driver, the front passenger and rear child passenger inhaled smoke due to the fire that affected their breathing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2002 Chevrolet Impala ls/ 3.8-v6 the problem started with the ignition switch. It caught on fire. Took in to dealer, after it was replaced, another problem surfaced.. We keep getting the run around at the dealer..the car intermittently starts. When it wants to. The dealer that I brought it to said he was 80% sure that it was my BCM (body control modules) and he would have to reset my radio. The two repairs would run me about $1,200 and that isn't even 100% guaranteed that it would remedy the problem. What a way to conduct business. I can't believe there are no service bulletins on this.. In doing some research I see the problem is quite familiar on models of the same platform.. I'm at my wits end with this problem.. The car does finally start after sitting there for 10 min or so.. My issue with this is! …
My vehicle has a faulty electrical start up system and fuel pump system the battery on this vehicle was replaced and the starter was replaced as well and the vehicle still is experiencing the same problems. I took the vehicle to be serviced at a mechanic shop and the vehicle worked perfectly fine for the mechanic at the time and they were unable to make any repairs because the vehicle didn't perform the issue in front of the mechanic. The issue has been going on since June of 2014 and it randomly wont start at all and then its starts hours and hours later. I have spent hundreds of dollars replacing parts on this car that deal with starting issues and still this car is experiencing the same difficulties. I have been stranded numerous places with this vehicle refusing to start. …
The car ignition suddenly shut off and the power steering and brakes failed on a steep grade. (the ignition recall had previously been performed on the vehicle, and the key fob had been reworked so it shouldn't have been a ignition issue). The transmission was shifted into neutral and the car restarted (while still coasting down the hill) to regain control,this was repeated numerous times until a safe place to pull off was reached. This grade was extremely steep, the road had switchbacks , cliffs,and no guardrail, it was a miracle no one was injured or killed. This same vehicle had just had a duplicate problem and was repaired at the dealership in July, less that 1000 miles prior to this current event. The dealer in July replaced the mas sensor and the battery as they said the mas was corroded and needed to be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning, the brake pedal seized, and the contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the security system shutdown and needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 305 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 38% of the model year's 795 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › anti-theft › control module (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 7 fires and 7 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.