Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
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).
On October 11, 2010, was stopped for a left turn, in my 2002 Chevrolet Impala. I was hit from the back by a pickup truck. Upon impact, my OnStar mirror came loose from the windshield and the cable became a weapon in the car with the mirror still attached. A witness said it looked like a baseball bat flying around on the inside of the car. The cable was hanging and approximately 2ft long when the wrecker pulled it away. I received multiple injuries to my head/neck and right eye due to this particular incident. There were also other injuries that I feel probably do not pertain to this. The car was later totaled and so nothing was done to correct the issue. I will remain leary to have or install OnStar equipment in any other vehicle for this reason.
2002 Chevy Impala 3.8l purchased used in dec. 2004 w/ 65,000 miles. Where to begin... Flooding in floorboards due to clog underneath windshield, three sets of rotors/brakes, clunky noise in steering shaft (replaced twice by dealership) still having same problem, catalytic converter replaced after dealership tried to charge me nearly $1000 to replace; covered by GM as harry green Chevrolet was 'unaware' of replacement policy?!? New struts, numerous alignments/balances b/c vehicle still shakes and shimmys at 60-65 MPH; must drive about 75-80 MPH just to keep this to a minimum! BCM replaced twice by dealer, security issues won't allow car to start for 15 mins. Each time, which is very inconvenient. …
I have a safety concern involving unresolveable issues with a 2002 Impala ls. Due to passlock, my car will randomly not start, thinking that I (the owner) am trying to steal the car. This is a safety issue being that I am a young, unmarried woman, who has to drive in and through rough neighborhoods to get to work and school. This issue could leave me and others stranded at location. And who knows what could happen from there, varying from murder to assault, etc. And if you know flint, saginaw, and detroit michigan, this is a huge issue. The car has been evaluated by three different mechanics, two dealerships, and there is no solution. Aside from that issue, the car's traction control turns on at random, the ABS brakes turn on, almost causing accidents. This is another issue that can't be resolved by any of the mechanics I've talked to. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when he would turn off the vehicle, it failed to restart. Initially, the failure was intermittent, but it now occurs everytime the vehicle is driven. The security system would lock up the injectors and he would have to turn the key on for 10-15 minutes to reprogram the module. Afterwards, the vehicle would restart. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the security system was the cause of the failure. The contact paid approximately $700 for the repair, but it did not remedy the failure. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 150,000 and failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Brought car and windshield wipers were not timed correctly and I needed a part called plaw - the company said they were fixed but, not 3 months later when heavy rain came my windshield wipers are on my windshield straight up and down right in front of what is supposed to be my visible area. Im 5'3 and I have a seven year old child and I would hate to be on the expressway when it starts raining and not able to see because no one took it seriously.. I do not look forward to rainy days especially when I have a newer car but I have to get a ride or on the bus with my child......... Help help help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed. In addition, the contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the service engine soon warning light illuminated and the A/C system failed to activate. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 08/27/14 updated 09/18/2014
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. When the vehicle is turned off, the security light on the instrument panel intermittently remains illuminated. On one occasion, this prevented the vehicle from restarting. After ten minutes of turning the vehicle on and off and shifting from park into neutral, it finally started. The contact believes that the failure will recur. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 96,000 and failure mileage was 95,000.
ABS light comes on frequently and when brakes are applied, it feels extremely unsafe. Brakes either do not respond or skid when attempting to stop. Afraid to drive vehicle. Had mechanics check vehicle and issue cannot be identified from failure codes. Appears wiring May be damaged and will cost quite a bit to repair. Mechanics unsure this will solve it. Don't want to sell vehicle as it will make it someone else's problem.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the anti-theft device prevents the vehicle from starting. The device drains the battery, makes the interior lighting flicker, and disables the radio. In addition, the relays in the vehicle click on and off as soon as the key is placed in the ignition. The contact has not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 117,000.
I was driving staraight doing 40 and and I saw a vechile spend out of control I tried to drive faster to get out of the way but doing in the middle of driving the key falls out of the ignition causing the the other car to hit mines in the rear right no one was hurt but my car was scatch and a dent I notice it frequently that when driving the key comes out by itself its really scary and dangerous.
Equipment complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 3% of the model year's 795 complaints. The component named most often is electrical › anti-theft devices (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Impala equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Impala equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to equipment & accessories 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.