Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Starting with the 2000 Chevy Impala they have a windshield wiper problem, where if heavy snows slides off the roof onto the windshield, or if the wipers are frozen to the windshield when you operate the wipers, it bends a tab under the wiper mechanism and causes the wipers to park in the outwipe condition when turned off instead of out of the way of the drivers vision just under the front hood. They park straight up causing a dangerous obstruction in the drivers view. There have been hundreds of postings on the internet where Impala owners have had this problem specifically in the states that experience freezing weather and snow. Some have stated after paying from $75 to $300 to have it repaired the problem would return. Perhaps a very poor design on gms part but to this date GM has not instituted a recall. …
My 2002 Chevrolet imapla's windshield wiper transmission has failed. I believe this happens when freezing rain or even a small amount of ice or snow accumulates on the windshield and isn't completely cleared before turning the wipers on. Now the windshield wipers do not function and obviously this is very dangerous when it begins to rain or snow as one cannot see clearly when driving. I have heard that this is a very common problem especially for impalas in recent years, so I feel that the part should be recalled. This has happened to me at least two other times, and now a third time where I believe the part is damaged to the point where it must be replaced. The previous two times the mechanic was able to re-set the wipers for cheap, but the most recent visit he said it would need to be replaced. …
Bought the car from a relative. Has had the problem the entire time I owned it. I was told to just never use the high beams. They don't stay on anyway. I recently spoke to a Chevrolet mechanic that stated that almost all impalas that come in on trade have a defective headlight dimmer switch. $300-400 repair. I have no high beams. Switch has been bad entire time. But if every Impala that comes into the dealership has this issue why is there no recall. I ask every Impala owner to file a complaint. Especially since sometimes the lights just go out, which May cause an accident. Lets get this taken care of. Especially since GM knows of the problem and is doing nothing to address it. Also have the problem with the wipers going to the full up position when turning them off. Heard this is also a common problem.
I noticed that my transmission shifts very hard when it warms up. I took to Chevrolet dealer, they changed my transmission mounts, and dog bones. I paid quite a few dollars and my vehicle still has this same problem. The vehicle has 85,000 miles, but I,ve maintained the vehicle very well. I,ve also had problems with my steering play.the dealer changed some parts in the assembly which is better. I'm a mechanic and I don't beleive that there was anything wrong with my drivetrain mounts, but it's in the transmission. I paid alot of money and still have the same problem. Since owning the car I had problems with the drivers window. The motor was changed once under warranty now it's doing the same thing again. The problem is it will go down but won't go up sometimes.
Go to start the car, everything appears normal, you turn the key and nothing happens. There is power to everything but does nothing when you turn the key. No click or crank sound at all. Happens out of the blue leaving you stranded. Sometimes if you wait it out all of a sudden it will work like nothing every happened. Very bazaar. Mechanics unable to figure it out. This is a car our daughter drives and has been stranded alone at night. This is a safety issue. I goggled this problem online and found hundreds of the same complaint. The other problem is the wipers stay in up position on the windshield when your turn them off after it snows. Several thousand complaints about this problem on line as well. Causes a visibility issue.. Very dangerous!
Takata recall I was dropping my daughter off at the babysitters house on my way to a funeral around 10:30 on Sunday October 1, 2016. I pulled out the babysitters driveway and proceeded towards berkshire street. My car was in motion and before I made it to the corner my passenger side airbag burst open my dashboard opened all the way across to driver's side. My radio broke off my buttons flew off the dash and I couldn't tell whether it was dust or smoke from the airbag. I wasn't hurt but when I inhale my chest hurt and my asthma flared up and my right ear is irritated. Also my windshield is cracked on the passenger side. I didn't hit a bump or car it's smooth pavement I was confused as to what caused it.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle and the trunk and door locks failed to work. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the anti-theft system. She has reprogrammed the anti-theft system. The failure has occurred approximately six times. The windshield on a clear day caused blurred vision. The dealer replaced the windshield, the failure did not continue. While driving 70 MPH the headlights began to blink. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
While I love my 2002 Chevrolet Impala it has two major problems which affect its safety. First, I hd replaced the windshield wiper blade assembly twice in 1.5 years and the linkage had been reset two separate times. The windshield wipers stayed in an upright position, blocking the view from the windshield. The second problem was the rear brakes, which deteriorated and crusted , requiring full replacement of the brake pads, rotors, etc. This could cause brake failure if no action was taken by the owner and a responsible mechanic. The most recent failure date of the windshield wiperswas listed below. The brakes were fully replaced in March 2007.
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 front drivers window failed and would not roll up or down. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions, where the contact was informed that the window regulator failed. The dealer replaced the window regulator, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The failure mileage was 60,544 and the current mileage was 81,000. Sm.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 4% of the model year's 795 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Impala window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.