Research · Large Cars

2000 Chevrolet ImpalaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 829 owner complaints for the 2000 Chevrolet Impala. Most complaints involve electrical system (186) and engine and engine cooling (156). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
829
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 26, 2015NHTSA 15V701000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 8, 2009NHTSA 09V116000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

829 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1999 – Apr 2021
  1. Electrical system186
  2. Engine and engine cooling156
  3. Steering124
  4. Air bags80
  5. Engine71
  6. Exterior lighting68
  7. Fuel system, gasoline52
  8. Power train51
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic46

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impala model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000829
2001747
2002808
2003722
20041,073
2005608
2006544
2007627
2008810
2009824
2010442
2011505
2012258
2013272
2014638
2015301
2016890
2017117
201859
201928
202015
Crashes reported
50
Fires reported
74
Injuries reported
53
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

186 reports5 crashes20 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LESTER GLEN CHEVROLET (398 RTE 37 E, TOMS RIVER NJ, 08753, (732-276-1286) FOR RECALL REPAIR OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER OPENED THE KEY PUT A RING INTO THE KEY AND ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD STOP THE IGNITION FROM ROLLING HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOCAL SPEED THE KEY ROTATED BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT-OFF. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 123,000. INVALID VIN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2020Electrical systemODI 11383335

Engine and engine cooling

156 reports3 crashes18 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY MISFIRED AND PERFORMED SLUGGISHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUKEI CHEVROLET INC (721 S MONROE AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401, 641-494-5589) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS: EA02030 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND PE00005 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, HE WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2019Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineFire reportedODI 11166492

Steering

124 reports9 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE KEY POSITION MOVED WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN EXTENSIVE LACERATION WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG COMPONENTS PROJECTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER HAD CONTINUOUS HEADACHES AND THE INJURY REQUIRED STITCHES. CHEVROLET OF MORRISTOWN (5320 WEST ANDREW JOHNSON HWY, MORRISTOWN, TN 37814, 423-408-2966) WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT CALL A LAWYER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INITIALLY NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH, BUT WAS LATER CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2019Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11230751
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172921$2,950423
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$2,950423
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$2,950423
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 29 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    17 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Chevrolet Impala as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4101
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Impala questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet Impala have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Chevrolet Impala problems?

Owners filed 829 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (186), engine and engine cooling (156), steering (124). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Chevrolet Impala get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Chevrolet Impala at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026