Enter a Chevrolet Impala VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Chevrolet sold the Impala in the US for model years 1994–2020, across four generations. Gen 7 first (1994–1996), then Gen 8 (2000–2005). The Gen 9 arrived for 2006–2013, and the Gen 10 took over for 2014–2020. Across those years NHTSA lists 32 vehicle recall campaigns and 10,430 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 8. Its 2004 and 2000 model years alone account for 1,890 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the Gen 7 at 18–19 mpg combined, while the Gen 10, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 20–28 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Four generations since the 1994 model year. The Gen 8 (2000–2005) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 10 (2014–2020) the most recall campaigns (13).
Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 147 NHTSA complaints.
Mentions in 4,730 NHTSA complaints.
2G1WF52E?49······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, built in Oshawa #1, OntarioMentions in 4,281 NHTSA complaints.
2G1WT57K?91······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2009 Chevrolet Impala 1LT, built in Oshawa #2, OntarioMentions in 1,265 NHTSA complaints.
2G1125S3?E9······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2014 Chevrolet Impala 2LT, built in Oshawa #1 (Osh), OntarioNHTSA has 32 campaigns on file for Impala model years 1994–2020, and the 2014 shows up in more of them than any other year (12), ahead of the 2000 (7). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2004 (1,072 of 10,430). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 1,265 complaints, 2014–2020.
The 2014 stands out. On its own it has 636 of the ’s 1,265 complaints (50%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (386 mentions), then steering (225).
Mentions in 4,281 complaints, 2006–2013.
Of the eight model years, the 2009 (824) and 2008 (810) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (1,048 mentions), then engine and cooling (791).
Mentions in 4,730 complaints, 2000–2005.
Electrical system owns this generation. Its 2,047 mentions are more than twice the next area, engine and cooling (956). Complaints peak with the 2004 (1,072 of 4,730). Of all Impala complaints, 45% are for the .
Mentions in 147 complaints, 1994–1996.
By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 24, with visibility (21) and the fuel system (20) close behind. Complaints peak with the 1996 (88 of 147).
The 2014 draws the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners describe StabiliTrak and power steering warnings appearing together and the steering suddenly turning heavy. CarComplaints ranks rear side detection system failure first for 2014, followed by brake failure and a rear window that shattered. Recalls cover an electronic parking brake on some 2014 models that may not fully release and leave the pads dragging, and a center console on some 2014–2015 models that may not stay latched in a crash. [1] [2]
Complaints are spread across several systems. CarComplaints ranks premature tire wear first for 2008, followed by power locks that malfunction and a rough running engine. On the 2009, NHTSA complaints often involve an air bag warning light. Recalls cover an ignition switch on 2006–2013 models that heavy key rings or a jolt can move out of run, shutting off the engine, and wiring for the passenger presence sensor on some 2009–2010 models that the seat frame can damage. [3] [4]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Hybrid Impala versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 1
Crashes 2 · fires 2 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 1 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 49 · fires 73 · injuries 53 · complaints reporting a death 2
Crashes 33 · fires 67 · injuries 39 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 38 · fires 32 · injuries 35
Crashes 32 · fires 32 · injuries 26
Crashes 44 · fires 21 · injuries 42
Crashes 39 · fires 13 · injuries 32
Crashes 59 · fires 22 · injuries 49 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 52 · fires 10 · injuries 56 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 51 · fires 10 · injuries 44 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 43 · fires 9 · injuries 43 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 18 · fires 3 · injuries 12
Crashes 22 · fires 5 · injuries 25
Crashes 20 · fires 5 · injuries 16
Crashes 16 · fires 0 · injuries 12
Crashes 19 · fires 8 · injuries 9
Crashes 10 · fires 11 · injuries 9
Crashes 8 · fires 4 · injuries 10
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 9
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 4 · fires 1 · injuries 4
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 81 Impala versions for model years 1994–2020 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 312 g/mi, for the 2014 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
18–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–494 g/mi
20–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–444 g/mi
19–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–468 g/mi
20–28 mpg · CO₂ 312–437 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2006–2013. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Impala, against 15 for the Toyota Avalon and 22 for the Chrysler 300. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2000–2005
Model years 2000–2005
Model years 2000–2005
Model years 2006–2013
Model years 2006–2013
Model years 2006–2013
Model years 2014–2020
Model years 2014–2020
Model years 2014–2020
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Impala's VIN plate sits at the base of the driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker and a label inside the trunk lid near the latch are the secondary locations. The Gen 10 generation starts with the 2014 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (E for 2014) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2004 leads with 1,072, ahead of the 2009 (824) and 2000 (818). Those first two alone make up 18% of the 10,430 Impala complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 32 vehicle campaigns for model years 1994–2020, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 10 leads with 13. Then come the Gen 8 (12), Gen 9 (8) and Gen 7 (0), and a campaign can span two generations.
03V-051 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 01V-136, 04V-090, 09V-116, 15V-701, 15V-201, 06V-419, 11V-398, 14V-541 and 2 more. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the Gen 7 is 1994–1996 and the Gen 8 2000–2005. Gen 9 spans 2006–2013, Gen 10 2014–2020. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (E is 2014).
It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2020 Gen 10 at 20–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18–19 mpg for the 1994–1996 Gen 7 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2014–2020 models the Impala has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Avalon has 16, the Chrysler 300 13. Complaints run 1,265, 312 and 749 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Impala 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.