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Chevrolet Impala — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Impala model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
52
Years to Avoid
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
Best Years
1997, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1987, 1984, 1981, 1976, 1973, 1972, 1968, 1967, 1963, 1958
2020
26 complaints0 recalls555 TSBs
2019
41 complaints1 recalls632 TSBs
2018
88 complaints1 recalls881 TSBs
2017Avoid
139 complaints0 recalls1109 TSBs
2016Avoid
178 complaints0 recalls1293 TSBs
2015Avoid
436 complaints3 recalls1659 TSBs
2014Avoid
1,028 complaints12 recalls2 invest.2030 TSBs
2013Avoid
468 complaints1 recalls1539 TSBs
2012Avoid
422 complaints3 recalls1472 TSBs
2011Avoid
844 complaints2 recalls1238 TSBs
2010Avoid
738 complaints4 recalls1187 TSBs
2009Avoid
1,368 complaints5 recalls1064 TSBs
2008Avoid
1,203 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1003 TSBs
2007Avoid
932 complaints3 recalls935 TSBs
2006Avoid
803 complaints2 recalls1 invest.804 TSBs
2005
811 complaints4 recalls555 TSBs
2004
1,379 complaints7 recalls495 TSBs
2003
936 complaints8 recalls1 invest.477 TSBs
2002
1,077 complaints7 recalls2 invest.448 TSBs
2001
959 complaints10 recalls2 invest.454 TSBs
2000
1,128 complaints10 recalls2 invest.377 TSBs
1999
4 complaints0 recalls14 TSBs
1998
4 complaints0 recalls7 TSBs
1997Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
1996
120 complaints1 recalls2 invest.24 TSBs
1995
64 complaints1 recalls1 invest.18 TSBs
1994
19 complaints1 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1993Best Year
6 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1992Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1991Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1987Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1985
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1983
3 complaints2 recalls
1982
2 complaints3 recalls
1981Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls
1980
0 complaints3 recalls
1979
2 complaints3 recalls
1978
0 complaints3 recalls
1977
1 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1976Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1974
0 complaints3 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1971
0 complaints4 recalls
1969
5 complaints4 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1967Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls
1966
4 complaints2 recalls
1965
0 complaints3 recalls
1963Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1958Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Impala Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 Chevrolet Impala are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Impala, consider the 1997, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1987, 1984, 1981, 1976, 1973, 1972, 1968, 1967, 1963, 1958 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

52 model years analyzed