Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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.
My son went to jump start the car and when he tried to start it the engine blew up . The intake manifold flew off in multiple pieces. Had car towed to my mechanic and found out the cylinder was dead due to the explosion. Though well the car had a lot of miles, so I thought it was just its time. So we decided to buy a re-manufactured motor because we had put some work into the car and my son and I though that would be a good choice. Everything was great with the new motor till November 30th 2014 when we needed to jump start the car, and the engine blew again this time taking out the fuel line along with the new intake manifold and the engine cover. The car starts on fire and luckily the flying parts missed my sons girl friend by inches as they flew by her.so I know now somethings up. …
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. …
Fuel shutdowns while on the interstate at between 60-75 MPH. When the problem occurs while driving, I immediately loose power, it goes into a rough idle, and I have to immediately pull over to the side of the interstate. It will either idle roughly with no ability to increase throttle for 5-15 minutes, or, it will stall and I can start it again in 5-15 minutes (when whatever is not working, cools down). This has been occurring since 2014. Our service center has a long history. No proper error message is given through the register storage when tested using GM shop analyzers. Checked gas cap, replaced fuel pump, cam shaft position sensor, spark plugs & wires, crank shaft position sensor, fuel injector, BCM. Have not replaced coil packs and icm yet. (a dynometer is probably needed to simulate load for a moving vehicle. Many shops don't have it because of cost.)
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,498. Parts distribution disconnect.
While driving the vehicle gas gauge was fluctuating up and down. I subsequently ran out of gas due to the fact that I did not know how much gas I had. I was stuck on the road. I had to get the fuel pump replaced. I checked online and there appears to be a problem with the fuel pump on other Chevy impalas.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when she turns the ignition, it does not recognize the key. She has to wait 10-15 minutes to turn the ignition again before the vehicle starts normally. The failure has been occurring for approximately seven months. In addition, the headlights and instrument panel lights flicker while the vehicle is in motion. The security light also illuminates in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the fuel pump needed to be repaired. The relay switches run through the fuel pump. Two new relay switches were installed at the contact's expense. The dealer stated that there were not enough complaints to issue a recall for this issue. The failure mileage was 115,000 and current mileage was 126,651.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while parked the fuel gauge reading fluctuated from full to empty. The failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the headlights would not illuminate when the contact turned the exterior switch to the on position. The contact also noticed the multifuntion window switch would not operate any of the windows when the exterior lighting was not operating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the sending unit relay would have to be replaced to repair the fuel gauge failure. The multi function switch would have to be replaced the repair the electrical failure with the exterior lighting and windows. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
I just bought this 2002 Chevy Impala for my son for his graduation. The previous owners seem to take great care of this car and the only issue it had was the gas gauge was not accurate. It fluctuates between full and empty. This week it seems to be stuck on full, but every now and then come down to empty then right back to full . We have my son drive my younger boys back and forth to school and he drives long distances to go to his army trainings. It has become an issue for him to remember how much gas is in the tank. And has become a worry for me that he might get stranded somewhere due to no gas. After reviewing the complaints it sounds like we are not the only ones with this issue. Hope the manufacturer does something about this soon.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
Fuel System complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 4% of the model year's 795 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Impala fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.