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6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$570
Average Mileage:
82,100 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (14 reports)
  2. replace o2 sensor (2 reports)
  3. had to take engine out and was very expensive (1 reports)
2002 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #17

Nov 022012

Impala LX 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had an Engine Light come on, went to a repair shop, they replaced the ERG and Map...light still came on.

They replaced the ERG.(defective) or so they said. Light still came on. Sixth trip..they cleaned a plugged tube from the manifold. 8 days later the Engine LIght came on...steady...not flashing. The car runs fine, but I think my gas milage is dropping. What else can we do???

- grimjg26, Shelby Twp, MI, US

problem #16

Mar 162012

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

When we first purchased our car, the turn signal switch was not working according to the place we purchased it said it was fine. But then the check engine light came on. The car seemed to run fine, but in the first week of owning the car, we found ourselves sitting and having to be towed, to the shop we purchased it at. They said it was a security sensor light they had never heard of on the car. They reset the security light, and the car seemed to run fine, then came time for the inspection, things went from bad to worse, we were told we needed a turn signal switch, which required removed the whole steering column, then the battery was throwing an arc across the engine compartment the mechanic had NEVER seen anything like this before. We replaced the tires at 439.53, which didn't take care of half the problem, they would not do the emissions part of the test since the check engine light was on. We took the car to advanced auto, and had them place the car on the diagnostics machine, they told us it was the mass air flow sensor, we replaced the mass air flow sensor, and now it diagnostics machine is now saying it is the 02 sensors four of them, which are priced at 68.00 dollars piece, this does not include the labor, and this is not even knowing if this will in fact cure the problem. Because it also telling us that it also could be the catalytic converter, but whom has all the time and money to DUMP INTO A BIG PIECE OF SH*T! But what I don't understand is how the dealership that we purchased this car can stay in business, with selling of cars that don't run. Or better question how could they have passed the car thru inspection so easily, when it won't pass in inspection when we take it else where. We informed the dealership of the situation with the turn signal switch and was told it was fine. But when it only chooses to work when it wants to. What type of CRAP is that?

the place we purchased the car was thru BRENNER CAR CREDIT IN CARLISLE PENNSYLVANIA. So be VERY aware of what you purchase thru them. Then we are informed thru Brenner that we possible will have to eat any addition cost for the vehicle plus make the car payment, and then have to pay someone else to take my husband back and forth to work. When we purchased the car, we told them we defiantly needed reliable transportation, what we got was a BIG PIECE OF SH*T! So BUYER BEWARE!!! As far as in the car, if you have a lot of time and money to spend, and you don't have to be anywhere soon, THIS IS THE CAR FOR YOU!

We have already put into the car 800.00 dollars, and it won;t be ready for inspection until another 1500.00 dollars is put into the vehicle. This doesn't include 360.00 dollar a month car payment, that must be met or the vehicle will be repoed!

- Michele W., Gardners, PA, US

problem #15

Dec 012010

Impala LS 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Have not resolved the problem yet. Suspect the catalytic converter, based on other posts here. Have contacted the Chevrolet Service number (800-630-2438) to see if my car was covered by any recalls. No recalls, but i pressed "0" and talked to David, who checked and found that my converter may be covered by "Special Coverage # 05551" which extends the warranty on the converter to 10 years or 120,000 miles. David's direct number is 866-790-5700 ext. 21130. I love Chevrolet. I have owned lot's of GM cars. I buy American. But some have had such "common" issues - over-torqued spindle nuts leading to premature spindle failures, distorting intake manifolds, rusting windshield surrounds, electrical shorts in cables routed beneath carpeting. What a shame that GM is allowed to hide issues that affect tens (hundreds) of thousands of vehicles.

- Dave C., Novi, MI, US

problem #14

Jan 182010

Impala LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine light came on - shop said oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. Of course there are 2. My husband spent the day replacing one, didn't fix the problem, had the other replaced and the engine light still comes on. Mechanic can't find anything wrong with it.

Why can't the diagnostic machines diagnose the problems with this car?!

- ageiler, Eureka, MO, US

problem #13

Aug 032009

Impala 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

The BCM on the Impalas are defective and should be recalled and fixed right. I know of alot of people that have the same issues. It is annoying when the Battery light stays on and sometimes the security comes on for no apparent reason. Sometimes i have to unplug the battery to get the check engine light to reset even though there is nothing really wrong with the engine. GM should do a recall on this problem ASAP.

- Michael V., Clementon, NJ, US

problem #12

Jan 222010

Impala Sand 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST CHEVY PRODUCT EVER PRODUCED, NEXT TO THE S-10 TRUCK THEY STOPPED MAKING. RECALL IT AND GIVE US OUR REPAIR MONIES BACK!!!! ADD ME TO ANY CLASS ACTION. BLOWN VALVE COVER GASKET BLOWN HEAD GASKET ABS FAILURE LOW COOLANT LIGHT. PIECE OF CRAP 3.4L ENGINE.

- darkknight21, Murrieta, CA, US

problem #11

Dec 012008

Impala LX 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

plan on keeping car cause trunk fits golf clubs----- till whatever happens in future with engine light----whole light thing sounds like a big rip-off------going to do nothing----suggest dealer/manufacturer can program in their computer what date in the future the light will come on----just so you have to take it in for repairs and they lie to you about what is wrong---but they do charge $ for whatever they say they did to try and fix it-----

just had new brakes and tires (since 2002,,,so not too bad).....actually except for 2005 recall for catalytic converter,,car ok---but now see impending doom---hope they don't get their 50 million $$....don't trust them......

- Mike J., Albany, NY, US

problem #10

Jan 012007

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

My check engine light comes on a few times a week. It stays on for a few days then goes out for a few days. The security light comes on for no apparent reason. We have replaced the battery and the starter but the stupid car doesn't always start. It passed emissions. There is no real reason this car should be acting like this. We have also had to have the ignition switch replaced because it locked up on us while we had it at the shop getting tires put on! This car has been a real pain the last couple of years.

- o'gara, Granite City, IL, US

problem #9

Jan 012003

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

Every time I have had my car in for repair (NUMEROUS THINGS) they reset the check engine light. Sometimes it stays off for a few days and sometimes comes back on as soon as I pull out of the lot. This car is really annoying and unreliable.

- Melanie L., Benton, KY, US

problem #8

Apr 152006

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The engine light comes on and the mechanic said is is the o2 sensor. He said it should be replaced but it costs money. Sometimes it starts and other times it doesn't. I had the starter replaced about 6 months ago, and a week later it did it again. It's been 5 months and it hasn't done it again. The seals on the oil and the antifreeze all need to be replaced. I've gone through 2 sets of brakes, shocks and struts in 2 years. The gas cap doesn't hold it's seal. The gas tank is always reporting empty but yet it's full. My mechanic said it's common on all the impalas. He said to just gauge every 200 miles and then fill it up. It does drive nice. I definitely think Chevy should recall the gaskets, and fuel issue.

- Melissa C., Scarborough, ME, US

problem #7

Apr 042008

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I replaced the catalytic converter, the rear 02 sensor, the intake manifold replaced and routine maintenance done on it, mechanic can not find the problem for the check engine light staying on. Car won't pass inspection, keep getting reading on the cat.converter and 02 sensor has not being ready.

I have spent over $1220 dollars on this car so far,and now the mechanic is telling me my computer system on the car may be malfunctioning and that could be anywhere in price of $900 to $1500 dollars. For that price I can put toward another car and won't be a Chevrolet. I just about to give up on this car, also check the web site found a long list of recall on my make and model , never got any type of notifications on this. I am buying foreign next time.

- Susan C., Houston, TX, US

problem #6

Jun 012007

(reported on)

Impala 3.2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,206 miles

When mine lit up, the Service guy suspected the gas cap wasn't tight and to wait for it to go out on it's own. It didn't but the Diag said the O2 sensor was bad. I got billed for it AND its connector cable (?). Then he also said the computer reported My computer required a flash upgrade. No satisfactory explanation was provided but later GM, after my insistence, said the Tranny's Computer received some kind of optional enhancement I could have declined. Remember the words 'Require' and 'Upgrade'?

- pforbes, Whitby, Ontario, Canada

problem #5

Jan 132004

Impala 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

If your tires are full, but you want your electrical system to say they are low. Or if your coolant is full, but you want your electrical system to say it is low. Or if your engine is "fine" but your electrical system says there is a problem, and you like to have your "check engine" light on 24/7, then the Chevy Impala is for you!

- Annette M., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #4

Nov 062007

(reported on)

Impala 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

I have never been as disappointed in any vehicle as I am with this car. It is junk I will do my best to never never own a CHEVY product again. Their commercials make me sick and it would make me so happy to see them go under I don't care who puts them under Toyota, Ford, any other car company they make me sick and I don't feel they should be allowed to even make cars. I don't even know how they sleep at night, and I pray what goes around comes around for them. SHAME ON THEM

- screwed, Syracuse, NY, US

problem #3

Sep 302007

(reported on)

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

can you imagine how awful to buy a nearly new car and find in a few weeks i've got to spend $1,500 to get it fixed. had to take out the engine. i hated that. so i would like to be added to the black ball list. thank you for this time to vent, not as much as i'd like too.

- Martha K., Fort Oglethorpe, GA, US

problem #2

Dec 032006

(reported on)

Impala 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I just hate paying 55 dollars for a diagnostic and another 30 for an oil change and still seeing the lt and everyone saying nothing is wrong.

- Rebecca W., Louisville, KY, US

problem #1

Jul 232006

(reported on)

Impala

  • 46,000 miles

this is a really nice car but its now being a big pain was going to buy another impala but not so sure now

- Judy J., Halidax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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