Chevrolet Impala Best and Worst Years (2005–2020)
Chevrolet Impala model years 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2014 rank worst, with complaint indexes of 87, 93, 100, and 80 out of the 16 years covered. Years 2017-2020 rank Best, with complaint indexes as low as 0-20, led by 2019's 28 total complaints.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2014Best 2017Best 2018Best 2019Best 2020
- Model years
- 16
- 2005–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,135
- Recall campaigns
- 20
- Crashes reported
- 373
- Fires reported
- 101
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Impala Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Impala problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 53 | 609 | 39 | 13 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 67 | 524 | 58 | 22 | 1 | Steering | 19.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 87 | 627 | 52 | 10 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 93 | 810 | 51 | 10 | 2 | Electrical System | 21.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 824 | 43 | 9 | 5 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 60 | 441 | 18 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 73 | 505 | 22 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 47 | 258 | 20 | 5 | 3 | Brakes | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 272 | 16 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 636 | 19 | 8 | 12 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 40 | 300 | 10 | 11 | 3 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 27 | 111 | 8 | 4 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 116 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 13 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 7 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 0 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
Impala years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Chevrolet Impala Index 100 · 824 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2009 Impala has the highest complaint index of any Impala year tracked, at 100, with 824 total complaints and the worst rank of the 16 years. Engine problems dominate at 286 complaints (35%), median mileage 88,840, alongside widespread airbag and electrical complaints. Three recalls apply: a passenger seat wiring/airbag issue, the shared key-ring airbag defect, and the control arm fracture campaign. Owners reported engine fires, airbags failing to deploy in collisions, and seat belt anchorage failures during crashes.
2009 engine problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 electrical system problems →
2008 Chevrolet Impala Index 93 · 810 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2008 Impala shows 810 complaints and a complaint index of 93, the 2nd worst year in the lineup. Electrical system problems led at 226 complaints (28%), with a median mileage at failure of 85,310.5, followed by engine issues at a median of 93,500 miles. Two recalls cover the same airbag key-ring defect and a front lower control arm fracture risk on police-package vehicles. Owners described brake pedals sticking, cruise control not disengaging properly, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 engine problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2007 Chevrolet Impala Index 87 · 627 complaints · 2 recalls
NHTSA lists 627 complaints for the 2007 Impala, with a complaint index of 87, ranking 3rd worst of the 16 years tracked. Owners most often cited suspension, wheels and tires (142 complaints, 23%), followed closely by electrical system and engine problems. Suspension-related failures showed a median mileage at failure of 35,000, notably lower than other problem areas that year. Two recall campaigns apply, covering an airbag key-ring issue and a fuel tank bonding defect. Sample complaints describe brake linkage disconnecting and loss of steering control leading to crashes.
2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 engine problems →
2014 Chevrolet Impala Index 80 · 636 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2014 Impala carries 636 complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst, but it stands out for 12 recall campaigns, the most of any year covered. Electrical system issues lead at 253 complaints (40%), median mileage 60,000, followed by brakes at 171 complaints. Recalls cover airbag occupant-detection calibration and two separate electronic parking brake campaigns. Owners described brakes seizing independently at low speeds and one report of smoke and fire from the rear of the vehicle.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →2014 steering problems →
Most common Chevy Impala problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System1,897 (31%)
- Engine1,383 (23%)
- Brakes1,244 (20%)
- Steering830 (14%)
- Airbags707 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain691 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires592 (10%)
- Other523 (9%)
- Structure & Body379 (6%)
- Fuel System224 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Chevrolet Impala should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2014 Impala. The 2009 has the highest complaint index at 100, and 2014 carries 12 recall campaigns despite a lower complaint index of 80.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- The 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Impala rank Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 13, 7, and 0 respectively out of 16 model years tracked.
- Are Chevrolet Impala electrical problems common?
- Yes. Electrical System complaints make up 31% of all 6,135 Impala complaints across 2005-2020, the largest single category, ahead of engine (23%) and brakes (20%).
- Does the 2014 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?
- Yes, the 2014 Impala has 12 recall campaigns, including two separate electronic parking brake software recalls and an airbag occupant-detection calibration recall.
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
- The 2009 Impala has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in the 2005-2020 range, with 824 complaints, led by engine problems at 286 complaints.