Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005
8th generation (W-body) · GM W-body (GMX210)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20266,285 complaints, 4,414 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 4,414
- Median of reported failures
- 80,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (32.6%)
- Recalls
- 3
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 47,700 and 120,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005 · 4,414 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 190 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 157 complaints (3.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 25,000
- 25%
- 47,700
- Median
- 80,000
- 75%
- 120,000
- 90%
- 160,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 137 | 3.1% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 70 | 1.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 63 | 1.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 86 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 82 | 1.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 95 | 2.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 145 | 3.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 153 | 3.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 165 | 3.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 167 | 3.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 178 | 4.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 160 | 3.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 182 | 4.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 159 | 3.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 176 | 4.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 169 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 159 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 160 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 121 | 2.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 143 | 3.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 190 | 4.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 81 | 1.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 91 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 110 | 2.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 141 | 3.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 109 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 120 | 2.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 55 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 78 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 57 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 100 | 2.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 43 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 63 | 1.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 34 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 41 | 0.9% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 32 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 62 | 1.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 34 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 20 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 26 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 157 | 3.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 6,285 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala, and 4,414 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 47,700 and 120,000 miles. The median is 80,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (32.6% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the exterior lighting (8.9% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the engine and its cooling system (8.8% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2000–2005 Chevrolet Impala were filed by 80,000 miles and 90% by 160,000 miles — figures drawn from 4,414 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
157 reports (3.6%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Impala reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2000–2005 Impala: the 3-minute check
Generated from 4,414 mileage-tagged complaints, 3 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2000–2005 cars. 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…
- Check ignition switch on 2000–2005 cars. 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.
- Check electrical on 2003–2005 cars. Turn signal / multifunction switch and body control module faults causing inoperative signals and interior lighting.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 48,000 and 120,000 miles, with a median of 80,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the exterior lighting are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 80,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit327 reports38,00018,000–62,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 327 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 18,000 to 62,000 miles.
- Steering423 reports55,00030,000–100,000Steering: 423 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline283 reports64,00037,000–108,000Transmission and driveline: 283 reports, median 64,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system553 reports75,00048,000–110,000Engine and its cooling system: 553 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 110,000 miles.
- Electrical system2,047 reports80,00054,000–117,000Electrical system: 2,047 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 54,000 to 117,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting561 reports80,00051,000–115,000Exterior lighting: 561 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 51,000 to 115,000 miles.
- Engine403 reports130,00098,000–170,000Engine: 403 reports, median 130,000 miles, middle half 98,000 to 170,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2,047 | 32.6% | 80,000 | 54,000–117,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 561 | 8.9% | 80,000 | 51,000–115,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 553 | 8.8% | 75,000 | 48,000–110,000 |
| Steering | 423 | 6.7% | 55,000 | 30,000–100,000 |
| Engine | 403 | 6.4% | 130,000 | 98,000–170,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 327 | 5.2% | 38,000 | 18,000–62,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 283 | 4.5% | 64,000 | 37,000–108,000 |
| Airbag system | 281 | 4.5% | 86,000 | 40,000–125,000 |
| Fuel system | 158 | 2.5% | 76,000 | 45,000–107,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 143 | 2.3% | 80,000 | 52,000–129,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005 · 4,414 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 34% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 57% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 73% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 96%: the remaining 3.6% of reports (157) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
34% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 54,000–117,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 51,000–115,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 48,000–110,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 30,000–100,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 18,000–62,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 37,000–108,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 98,000–170,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
57% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 38,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 54,000–117,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 51,000–115,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 48,000–110,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 30,000–100,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 37,000–108,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 98,000–170,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
73% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 80,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 80,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 75,000 mi
- Steering — median 55,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 38,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 64,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 98,000–170,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 80,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 32.6% of complaints (2,047 reports, 1,560 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 54,000 and 117,000 miles.
A single system taking 32.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The exterior lighting accounts for 8.9% of complaints (561 reports, 453 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 115,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 8.8% of complaints (553 reports, 355 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 110,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.7% of complaints (423 reports, 278 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 6.4% of complaints (403 reports, 277 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 130,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 98,000 and 170,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 5.2% of complaints (327 reports, 222 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 38,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 62,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2004 model year drew the most — 1,375 complaints — while 2005 drew the fewest at 811. The median year sits at 1,018.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the engine and its cooling system (2), the electrical system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 6,285 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 366 (5.8%)
- Fires
- 323
- Injury reports
- 264
- Fatality reports
- 3
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,128 | 556 |
| 2001 | 959 | 616 |
| 2002 | 1,077 | 777 |
| 2003 | 935 | 684 |
| 2004 | 1,375 | 1,112 |
| 2005 | 811 | 669 |
Recalls (3) — is your car included?
Feb 2016 · 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 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.
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 engineÂ’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 custom
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 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
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 recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
Sep 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. 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 the
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
What owners reported
150K this january heater not working, took to garage, told about engine coolant prob. Called gm canada , told my car is too old for them to do anything but there was a recall on an engine part they would do, took the car for a scheduled appt and after an hour wait the service manager came to tell me they did not have…
2000 · 80 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Since shortly after car was purchased there is a noticeable clunking/popping noise coming from the right front of the car. This is especially heard when going over a bump. Original thought was that it was either an arm or a joint. Dealer said it was not a problem and subsequent complaints have resulted in my being…
2000 · 100 miles · Suspension
My fingers developed curvatures and twisted knuckles. I developed lower back pain. Shoulder pain. Neck pain. Carpal tunnel. Sciatic pain. Required physical therapy because i could not lift my arm above shoulder height. The stiff "high effort" steering was resulting in my body generating forces to overcome the…
2000 · 6,000 miles · Steering
the contact rented a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH during inclement weather, the vehicle skidded out of control to the left, the contact applied force to the steering wheel but it did not respond causing the contacts vehicle to be scraped on the left side from a…
2000 · 10,000 miles · Steering
Built from 4,414 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page