Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Chevrolet Impala

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,087 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

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 previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

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 VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Safety risk

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 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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 OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
133,221
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-09
Owners notified
2002-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system24988,764 mi
Engine76133,000 mi
Exterior lighting4897,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling4585,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3853,519 mi
Steering3740,000 mi
Air bags2992,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2662,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2475,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2264,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2021,726 mi
Unknown or other19125,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)17116,319 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1652,300 mi
Air bags: frontal1542,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system15120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1463,000 mi
Power train14152,000 mi
Traction control system14109,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1360,000 mi
Equipment1298,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1160,400 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1160,000 mi
Service brakes11140,000 mi
Steering: column1139,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1075,000 mi
Vehicle speed control10121,200 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch975,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline947,000 mi
Visibility: windshield940,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor858,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip753,000 mi
Suspension630,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls660,544 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel540,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring5100,979 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system596,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch545,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch561,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads533,000 mi
Structure: body589,000 mi
Tires535,000 mi
Visibility5113,000 mi
Electrical system: horn4239,281 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module478,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices4117,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch475,000 mi
Interior lighting485,000 mi
Seats4128,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler4128,000 mi
Structure430,000 mi
Suspension: rear418,000 mi
Wheels450,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery345,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash375,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices310,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump380,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper310,837 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector335,500 mi
Tires: sidewall3—
Tires: tread/belt3—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control326,400 mi
Visibility/wiper370,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer330,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages337 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor3—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module239,700 mi
Air bags: side/window270,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly272,013 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control25,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility2121,200 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner246,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings231,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch234,860 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)225,805 mi
Seat belts230,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)274,000 mi
Steering: linkages298,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2100,979 mi
Suspension: front292 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing26,000 mi
Tires: valve2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert138,000 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1110,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1100,979 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights121,800 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1125,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1—
Fuel system, diesel1116,498 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system137,901 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail178,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly16,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices120,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages178,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock134,860 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter184,500 mi
Power train: axle hubs1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission145,200 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: rear/other198,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust110,837 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light189,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module139,020 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum137 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings179,995 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman148,000 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment184,500 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly126,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars130,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub16,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core164,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.