2002 Chevrolet Impala: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1076 complaints
1076
Total Complaints
79,542mi
Median Mileage
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Top Issue
51
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

46,000 25th Percentile
79,542 Median Mileage
117,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
247
ENGINE
75
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
48
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
45
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
38
STEERING
37
AIR BAGS
27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
22

Severity Assessment

51
Crashes
42
Fires
46
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHILE CHILD SEAT WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN REAR WITH SEAT BELT( CHILD IN SEAT), THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKED WITHOUT ANY INTENTIONS, CAUSING CHILD AND SEAT TO FLIP OVER,ACCELERATING TO TURN LEFT THE BELT RELEASED AFTER MAKING TURN, THE BELT RELEASED TUMBLING CHILD TOWARD REAR PASSENGER DOOR. *AK CONSUMER ..."
"CONSUMER BACKING UP AT ABOUT 3 MPH WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY.*AK *SLC"
"WHEN ON AN INCLINE, VEHICLE WILL START TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. *JB"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28