Chevrolet Impala Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Impala model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (15) and the 2004 the most (1,073).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
15 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 22 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
28 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
59 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2016 | 111 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–25 |
| 2017 | 116 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2012 | 258 | 3 | Electrical system | 4★ | 22 |
| 2013 | 272 | 1 | Electronic stability control | 4★ | 22 |
| 2015 | 300 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–25 |
| 2010 | 441 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 21–22 |
| 2011 | 505 | 2 | Electronic stability control | — | 21–23 |
| 2006 | 524 | 1 | Steering | — | 19–22 |
| 2005 | 609 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2007 | 627 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 19–22 |
| 2014 | 636 | 12 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–28 |
| 2003 | 694 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2001 | 742 | 7 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2002 | 795 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
810 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 19–22 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
824 | 5 | Air bags | — | 19–23 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
1,073 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Impala years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2004 Chevrolet Impala: 1,073 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 681 (63%); Exterior lighting 104 (10%); Service brakes 88 (8%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 21 fires, 42 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Chevrolet Impala: 824 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 232 (28%); Electrical system 224 (27%); Engine 179 (22%).
Reports mention 43 crashes, 9 fires, 43 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,906 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Chevrolet Impala: 810 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 221 (27%); Engine 134 (17%); Suspension 117 (14%).
Reports mention 51 crashes, 10 fires, 44 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Impala years with the fewest complaints
2020 Chevrolet Impala: 15 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (20%); Steering 3 (20%); Air bags 2 (13%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Chevrolet Impala: 28 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 9 (32%); Air bags 5 (18%); Power train 5 (18%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,975 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Chevrolet Impala: 59 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 11 (19%); Power train 11 (19%); Service brakes 8 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,400 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Impala owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 36,975 |
| 2018 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40,400 |
| 2017 | 116 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 46,000 |
| 2016 | 111 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 56,000 |
| 2015 | 300 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 59,523 |
| 2014 | 636 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 272 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2012 | 258 | 20 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2011 | 505 | 22 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 60,450 |
| 2010 | 441 | 18 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 74,000 |
| 2009 | 824 | 43 | 9 | 43 | 1 | 75,906 |
| 2008 | 810 | 51 | 10 | 44 | 1 | 70,000 |
| 2007 | 627 | 52 | 10 | 56 | 1 | 60,000 |
| 2006 | 524 | 58 | 22 | 46 | 1 | 75,000 |
| 2005 | 609 | 39 | 13 | 32 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2004 | 1,073 | 44 | 21 | 42 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2003 | 694 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 0 | 82,872 |
| 2002 | 795 | 38 | 32 | 35 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2001 | 742 | 33 | 67 | 39 | 2 | 80,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Impala recalls
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2000–2005 model years; 5,877,718 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V400000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2006–2014 model years; 3,141,731 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V355000)
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE (2000–2003 model years; 1,497,516 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2009; 09V116000)
- Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire (2000–2004 model years; 1,003,556 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V701000)
- GM/FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (2000 model year; 910,873 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2004; 04V090000)
All 34 Chevrolet Impala recall campaigns · Chevrolet Impala problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Impala years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Impala year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (15). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Impala years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2004, 2009 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Impala problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (3,225 of 9,439 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Impala have?
NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Impala. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Impala recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.