Impala (9th)
Engine Reliability Comparison
LS1
5.7L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LZE
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LU3
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LP2
1.0L 3-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LGD
3.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LV6
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L18
8.1L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LL8
4.2L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LR4
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L91
1.6L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LNF
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 260 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LZ9
3.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LG8
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LM7
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L59
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L36
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LA1
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Chevrolet Impala regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (15)
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
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.
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 VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
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.
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" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.4L ENGINE AND NON-ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." A FUEL RETURN LINE CAN BECOME SEVERED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULES (SDM) COULD EXPERIENCE A MEMORY ERROR RESULTING IN THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A CRASH SITUATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
All Generations
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala problems?
The 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala has accumulated 4,814 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Chevrolet Impala engine is most reliable?
The 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala was offered with 20 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.8L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala a good used car?
The 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 4,814 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala have?
The 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala has 4,814 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala?
There are 15 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Impala?
Before buying a used Chevrolet Impala, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,814 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.