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2002 Chevrolet Impala: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, most recently filed October 2015. Owners have filed 795 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 engine · 1 electrical · 1 air bag Source: NHTSA Complaints 795filed Owner reports, 1998–2007 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 22mpg combined $2,969/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 3.4 L 6-cyl· 4-speed automatic 3 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2002 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V701000 Filed Oct 26, 2015

Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
38.2% repairedof 1,003,556 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V701000
Listed for 2002 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V400000 Filed Jul 3, 2014

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
37.1% repairedof 5,877,718 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V400000
Listed for 2002 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 09V116000 Filed Apr 8, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence
IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Repair progress not yet reported1,497,516 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V116000
Listed for 2002 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 02V222000 Filed Aug 9, 2002

GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence
PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Repair progress not yet reported133,221 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V222000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Impala years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet ImpalaAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (795)

795 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

38involved a crash
32involved a fire
35injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 795.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2002 compares with other Impala years

Best and worst Impala years →
2 4 818 742 795 694 1,073 609 524 627
1998199920002001200220032004200520062007
This year (2002)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
19
city
29
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Large Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2002 Chevrolet Impala configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 22$3,050404
3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive16 / 26 / 20$3,350444
3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 27 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2002 Impala for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Impala years

Where to next

Which Impala years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2003 Chevrolet Impala report694 complaints · 5 campaigns →2001 Chevrolet Impala report742 complaints · 7 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2002 Chevrolet Impala FAQ

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 15V701000 (engine), 14V400000 (electrical), 09V116000 (engine), 02V222000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Impala problems?

Owners filed 795 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (305), Exterior lighting (123), Engine and engine cooling (106) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala get?

EPA rates the 3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 29 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2002 Impala compare with other years?

Among the 1998–2007 Chevrolet Impala model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2004 the most (1,073). The 2002 drew 795. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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