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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
63
Years to Avoid
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
Best Years
1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1970, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958
2020
23 complaints0 recalls549 TSBs
2019
39 complaints1 recalls625 TSBs
2018Avoid
86 complaints1 recalls874 TSBs
2017Avoid
134 complaints0 recalls1103 TSBs
2016Avoid
176 complaints0 recalls1287 TSBs
2015Avoid
429 complaints3 recalls1653 TSBs
2014Avoid
1,016 complaints12 recalls2 invest.2024 TSBs
2013Avoid
466 complaints1 recalls1533 TSBs
2012Avoid
421 complaints3 recalls1467 TSBs
2011Avoid
844 complaints2 recalls1233 TSBs
2010Avoid
737 complaints4 recalls1183 TSBs
2009Avoid
1,365 complaints5 recalls1064 TSBs
2008Avoid
1,203 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1003 TSBs
2007Avoid
930 complaints3 recalls935 TSBs
2006Avoid
802 complaints2 recalls1 invest.804 TSBs
2005Avoid
809 complaints4 recalls555 TSBs
2004Avoid
1,375 complaints7 recalls495 TSBs
2003Avoid
935 complaints8 recalls1 invest.477 TSBs
2002Avoid
1,076 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
1997
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
1993
6 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1992
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1991
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1984
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1983
3 complaints2 recalls
1982
2 complaints3 recalls
1981
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
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974
0 complaints3 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1972
0 complaints2 recalls
1971
0 complaints4 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1969
5 complaints4 recalls
1968
0 complaints2 recalls
1967
2 complaints2 recalls
1966
4 complaints2 recalls
1965
0 complaints3 recalls
1964Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1963Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1962Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1961Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1960Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1959Best Year
0 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 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 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 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1970, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

63 model years analyzed