TroubleCAR
64
Trouble

2002 Chevrolet Impala

Complaints: 794Avg mileage: 84,564 miSince: Oct 2001
CrashFire34 injured

Problem Areas

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
Anti-Theft: Control Module
22

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
100,000 miJan 2, 2015VICTORIA, TX
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS REAR ENDED BY THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON THE DASH PANEL ALSO FAILED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 02/24/15*LJ UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN

AIR BAGS
Sep 25, 2014GARDENIA, CA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AIR BAGS
82,000 miJul 10, 2014HIGHLAND, IN
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
162,000 miJul 1, 2014CHESAPEAKE, WV
Crash1 injured

THIS CAR WAS ONE-OWNER AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVICED ROUTINELY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WALL ON DRIVERS SIDE, THEN SPUN AROUND AND LODGED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER OF A SEMI-TRACTOR. THE SEMI HIT THE BRAKES AND IT PROJECTED ME BACK ACROSS UPON THE TOP OF THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WHERE MY CAR JUST RODE TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY BEAUTIFUL CAR WAS TOTALED BUT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND SEAT BELTS I AM ALIVE. I HAVE A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED ANKLE, CUTS, AND BRUISES, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM INJURY OR DEATH. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE TO INSPECT. *TR

POWER TRAIN
171,000 miMay 29, 2014ELIZABETHTOWN, NC
Crash3 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

EQUIPMENT
130,000 miJun 6, 2011BOWLING GREEN, KY
Crash1 injured

ON OCTOBER 11, 2010, WAS STOPPED FOR A LEFT TURN, IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I WAS HIT FROM THE BACK BY A PICKUP TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, MY ONSTAR MIRROR CAME LOOSE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CABLE BECAME A WEAPON IN THE CAR WITH THE MIRROR STILL ATTACHED. A WITNESS SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A BASEBALL BAT FLYING AROUND ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE CABLE WAS HANGING AND APPROXIMATELY 2FT LONG WHEN THE WRECKER PULLED IT AWAY. I RECEIVED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO MY HEAD/NECK AND RIGHT EYE DUE TO THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT. THERE WERE ALSO OTHER INJURIES THAT I FEEL PROBABLY DO NOT PERTAIN TO THIS. THE CAR WAS LATER TOTALED AND SO NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I WILL REMAIN LEARY TO HAVE OR INSTALL ONSTAR EQUIPMENT IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE FOR THIS REASON. *TR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
123,000 miApr 11, 2011CHEPACHET, RI
Crash1 injured

I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND WAS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A TELEPHONE POLE. I AWOKE AT LAST SECOND AND MANAGED TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING POLE HEAD ON, IN WHICH CASE I WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD. DOCTORS SAID I WAS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE EVEN THOUGH I WORE MY SEATBELT B/C THE CAR HIT THE POLE AND THEN FLIPPED OVER 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE LANDING ON ITS HOOD WITH ME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE JAWS OF LIFE WERE USED TO HELP PULL MY PASSENGER DOOR OFF ENOUGH TO GET ME OUT OF CAR ONTO A FLATBOARD, ONCE THEY HAD ME IN A NECKBRACE, THAT IS. THE REASON I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I LEASED THIS CAR AT A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE RATE AND WAS MORE THAN 75% DONE PAYING IT OFF AND NOW I HAVE NOTHING. THE '02 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD FRONT AIRBAGS, (AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR), HOWEVER, NEITHER DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT AND I SUSTAINED A SERIOUS INJURY TO MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE. MY HEAD AND SHOULDER WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, HITTING THE PAVEMENT, AND I HAVE NERVE DAMAGE NOW B/C OF THIS. MY LEFT ARM IS NOW TINGLING AND GOING NUMB, WHICH COMES DOWN FROM A PINCHED NERVE IN MY NECK. I WILL NEED TO GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY ONCE I AM ABLE. I AM ON HIGH DOSE PAIN MEDS. RIGHT NOW AND CAN BARELY WALK. I NOW WONDER IF THE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED ALREADY SOMETIME B/F I BOUGHT THE CAR, PUT BACK IN USED, AND THAT IS WHY NEITHER CAME OUT WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE. I AM THINKING ABOUT CONTACTING A LAWYER REGARDING THIS SITUATION. DO YOUR HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THIS? THANK YOU AND PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THIS SITUATION. *TR

AIR BAGS
122,000 miMay 26, 2009MINIER, IL
Crash1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK PAIN AND A HEADACHE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED THREE HOURS LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

AIR BAGS
65,000 miApr 2, 2008VALIER, MT
Crash2 injured

WE HIT A HORSE WITH OUR CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE RECEIVED CUTS ON OUR HEAD, FACE, HANDS, AND LEGS. I RECEIVED A BLOW TO MY HEAD CAUSING SWELLING AND BRUISING TO MY FOREHEAD, EYES, NOSE, CHEEKS. EXPERIENCING HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS SINCE THEN. LARGE BRUISES AND SWELLING ON MY THIGHS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

AIR BAGS
30,000 miMar 14, 2008ORLANDO, FL
Crash1 injured

OUR SON WAS GOING APPX 35 MILES AN HOUR AND MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. A DRUNK DRIVER PULLED OUT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, LITERALLY ON TOP OF MY HUSBANDS CAR - HITTING THEM ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBANDS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. HE WAS IN PERFECT HEALTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND IS NOW A PARTIAL FUNCTIONING QUADRIPLEGIC. ALL BECAUSE OF DEFECTED AIR BAGS!!! I REALIZED ALSO, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE'S SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD!! *TR

TIRES
Aug 28, 2007FENNVILLE, MI
Crash1 injured

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB AN EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE SHOWED TWO HOLES APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER ON THE SIDEWALL. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB

SEAT BELTS
60,000 miJan 9, 2006YORBA LINDA, CA
Crash2 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY (EXPECTED) AND THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT DID NOT PREVENT MY HEAD AND BODY FROM GOING FORWARD AND STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL (UNEXPECTED.) I RECEIVED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF MY FOREHEAD STRIKING (I ASSUME) THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
52,000 miJan 6, 2005TOOELE, UT
Crash1 injured

CRUISE CONTROL NOT RESPONDING. SUDDEN LUNGE/ACCELERATION CAUSED CAR TO SPEED OFF THE ROAD. DRIVER INJURED, CAR TOTALED. SUSPECT CRUISE CONTROL LATER KICKED IN, SOME 40 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT.*AK

AIR BAGS
23,186 miMay 18, 2004VINCENNES, IN
Crash1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IN A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA POLICE PACKAGE. I WAS HIT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR , THEN MY VEH RUN UP INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I STRUCK A SIGN. I WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.*AK

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
40,000 miApr 1, 2004LA VERGNE, TN
Crash2 injured

AFTER A 45 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
15,261 miAug 15, 2003NEEDHAM, MA
Crash1 injured

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT/CENTER COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED UPON IMPACT INJURING THE CONSUMER. SAFETY DEVICES DIDN'T PERFORM AS ADVERTISED. *PH *JB

AIR BAGS
9,982 miFeb 20, 2003MIAMI, FL
Crash1 injured

OWNER OF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. IT CONSISTED OF THE DRIVER HITTING AN 8 FOOT GATE AND KNOCKING IT DOWN. HITTING THE TRUCK PARKED IN THAT GATE WITH THE FORCE OF PUSHING IT INTO THE BUILDING, WHERE THE BUILDING WAS CRACKED ON THE INSIDE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL ITS NO REASON WHY THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AT THIS TIME. I DAMAGED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. WHICH AS STATED THE OWNERS MANUAL ARE REASONS THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION . I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO WITH AN CHEVROLET IMPALA 2002. I HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH OTHER OWNERS. WHO HAVE ALSO FILED CLAIMS WITH YOU. I KNOW EACH ACCIDENT/SITUATION IS DIFFERENT BUT PLEASE SEND ME A RESPONSE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Jan 14, 2003STAFFORD, TX
Crash2 injured

WHEN TRYING TO APPLY ANTI LOCK BRAKES BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
119,000 miMar 14, 2016DAVIN, WV
Fire3 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A ODOR OF BURNING OIL AND THEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR CHILD PASSENGER INHALED SMOKE DUE TO THE FIRE THAT AFFECTED THEIR BREATHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
128,000 miDec 8, 2008EAGAN, MN
Fire1 injured

HEATED SEAT SHORTED OUT, CAUGHT FIRE, BURNED DRIVER. *TR

Other Impala Years

Other Chevrolet Models