The Lemon Index2002 Chevrolet Impala.
The 2002 Chevrolet Impala is about average by owner complaints: 188 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 92, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Impala year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 795 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Impala year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 115K miles on the car (570 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 54K–120K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 49K–101K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 53K–104K miles
Recalls 7
- engine 2015
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.
- electrical 2014
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.
- engine 2009
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 NA…
Show all 7 recalls
- steering 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
- steering 2008
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" B…
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- airbags 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 448 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
- Subject regarding various driveability symptoms, malfunction indicator lamp illuminates…
- Incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of engine, transmission slipping, ses lamp…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedAlleged headlight failure2006
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2002–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2002 Impala developed a problem due to improper and unsafe brake pads and rotors.***
2002 Chevrolet Impala owner · NHTSA complaint 10134556
More owner reports
The ac delco battery post came off of the battery. The clamp and cable were tight, the post was eaten in two from the inside.
NHTSA complaint 10140628
When the brakes were applied, the rear of the vehicle vibrated extremely hard.
NHTSA complaint 10012439
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Impala year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Impala problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (19%), electrical (18%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala have?
7 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Impala problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,000 and 115,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,000 miles, from 570 complaints.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Impala have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Impala year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works