Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005 problems by year and mileage
8th generation (W-body) · GM W-body (GMX210)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,731 complaints, 3,329 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2000 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 818
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2000
- Electrical system187 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system159 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Steering124 reports · median 60,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2001 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 742
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2001
- Electrical system225 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system123 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Steering76 reports · median 40,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2002 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 795
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2002
- Electrical system305 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Exterior lighting123 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system106 reports · median 75,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 695
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2003
- Electrical system264 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Exterior lighting103 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Engine88 reports · median 120,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,073
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2004
- Electrical system681 reports · median 69,000 mi
- Exterior lighting104 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Engine71 reports · median 121,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Engine and engine cooling — engine · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Chevrolet Impala
Close- Median failure report
- 77,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 609
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2005
- Electrical system331 reports · median 79,000 mi
- Steering60 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline52 reports · median 88,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2000; earliest: the 2004, and the 2000 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 77,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 157,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 3,329
- Recalls
- 12
Most reported
- Electrical system42.1% of complaints · median 80,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system11.3% of complaints · median 75,000 mi
- Exterior lighting11.0% of complaints · median 81,000 mi
Owners filed 4,731 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala; the electrical system leads with 42.1% of them, and half of the 3,329 that record an odometer reading came by 77,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 47,000 to 118,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala last?
On the 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala, half of the 3,329 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 77,000 miles and 90% by 157,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
418 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 104 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Impala reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005 · 3,329 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 149 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 104 complaints (3.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 25,000
- 25%
- 47,000
- Median
- 77,000
- 75%
- 118,000
- 90%
- 157,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 96 | 2.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 50 | 1.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 45 | 1.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 64 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 67 | 2.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 70 | 2.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 99 | 3.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 120 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 137 | 4.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 132 | 4.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 143 | 4.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 131 | 3.9% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 149 | 4.5% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 139 | 4.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 142 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 137 | 4.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 128 | 3.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 120 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 94 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 109 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 137 | 4.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 65 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 71 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 72 | 2.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 101 | 3.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 77 | 2.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 84 | 2.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 39 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 54 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 39 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 72 | 2.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 33 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 42 | 1.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 31 | 0.9% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 43 | 1.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 24 | 0.7% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 16 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 104 | 3.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Impala problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit297 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 18,000–65,000
- Steering410 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 30,000–101,000
- Engine and its cooling system535 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 48,000–109,000
- Electrical system1,993 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 54,000–116,000
- Exterior lighting519 reportsmedian 81,000middle half 52,000–116,000
- Airbag system277 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 40,000–125,000
- Engine403 reportsmedian 130,000middle half 98,000–170,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,993 | 42.1% | 80,000 | 54,000–116,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 535 | 11.3% | 75,000 | 48,000–109,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 519 | 11.0% | 81,000 | 52,000–116,000 |
| Steering | 410 | 8.7% | 55,000 | 30,000–101,000 |
| Engine | 403 | 8.5% | 130,000 | 98,000–170,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 297 | 6.3% | 38,000 | 18,000–65,000 |
| Airbag system | 277 | 5.9% | 86,000 | 40,000–125,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 274 | 5.8% | 64,000 | 37,000–110,000 |
| Fuel system | 153 | 3.2% | 75,000 | 42,000–107,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 142 | 3.0% | 82,000 | 52,000–130,000 |
Known problems with the 2000–2005 Impala
Engine 2000–2005
Lower intake manifold gasket failure on the 3.4L and 3.8L V6. The plastic-framed gasket degrades in contact with Dex-Cool coolant, leaking coolant externally and into the oil; often accompanied by upper plenum warping on the 3.8L.
Ignition Switch 2000–2005
Key can rotate out of the run position under load from a heavy key ring or road impact, shutting off the engine and disabling airbags; covered by GM's 2014 ignition-key recall campaign for W-body cars.
Electrical 2003–2005
Turn signal / multifunction switch and body control module faults causing inoperative signals and interior lighting.
Before you buy a 2000–2005 Impala: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,329 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2000–2005 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check ignition switch on 2000–2005 cars.
- Check electrical on 2003–2005 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Impala problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi35% below | At 90k mi59% below | At 120k mi76% below | At 150k mi87% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 54,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 48,000–109,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 52,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 30,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 98,000–170,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 18,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 40,000–125,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005 · 3,329 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 35% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 76% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala recalls (12)
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (4), the engine and its cooling system (3), the fuel system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Oct 2015 · 2000–2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingEngine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
The free fix. The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket.…
Apr 2015 · 2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingThe leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The…
Jul 2014 · 2000–2005 · Electrical SystemIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…
The defect. 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.…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.…
Apr 2009 · 2000–2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free…
Jun 2004 · 2004 · Service Brakes, HydraulicDepending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel…
The free fix. Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac 1-800-620-7668.
Feb 2004 · 2000 · Fuel System, GasolineThe backfire can rupture the intake manifold.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004.…
Feb 2003 · 2003 · Air BagsThis could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service…
Aug 2002 · 2002–2003 · Air BagsPieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on…
Apr 2001 · 2000–2001 · Fuel System, GasolineIf an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will install a brake master cylinder bracket that will maintain positioning of the fuel line in a frontal crash. Owner notification began june 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
Nov 2000 · 2000–2001 · Air BagsIf the inflator separates, the air bag will not deploy properly during a crash and occupant protection would…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the inflator separates, the air bag will not deploy properly during a crash and occupant protection would be reduced. If is also possible that a separated inflator could be propelled downward and…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.
Aug 2000 · 2001 · Air BagsIn a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. In a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.
Aug 2000 · 2000–2001 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,731 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 235 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 238
- Injury reports
- 174
- Fatality reports
- 3
Impala problems by model year
The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,073, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2005 the fewest, 609. A typical year drew about 768.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 818 | 417 | 86,000 | Electrical system (187) | 7 |
| 2001 | 742 | 475 | 80,000 | Electrical system (225) | 7 |
| 2002 | 795 | 570 | 78,000 | Electrical system (305) | 4 |
| 2003 | 695 | 511 | 82,000 | Electrical system (264) | 5 |
| 2004 | 1,073 | 859 | 70,000 | Electrical system (681) | 4 |
| 2005 | 609 | 497 | 77,000 | Electrical system (331) | 1 |
What Impala owners reported
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact…
2004 · 71,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. There…
2005 · 200,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that her husband had entered the vehicle and while the key was in the ignition, the vehicle exploded in the engine compartment. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report filed.…
2001 · 165,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, suddenly there was an abnormal wind sound inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…
2005 · 140,000 miles · Visibility equipment
Built from 3,329 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Impala generations
- Impala 2006–2013 3,416 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Impala 2014–2020 850 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system