Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 856 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Impala, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 121 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 109 | 13% |
| Steering | 84 | 10% |
| Air bags | 63 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 50 | 6% |
| Engine | 39 | 5% |
| Power train | 39 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 33 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 4% |
| Structure | 19 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE V
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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: 14V4000
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE MANIFOLD A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I TURNED THE KEY IN MY CAR TO START IT, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. THE ENGINE THEN CAUGHT FIRE AND IS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THIS CAR HAD BEEN USED 2 DAYS PRIOR WITH NO ISSUES, NO SAFETY LIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL MY INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE A RECALL ON IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT IN TO GET FIXED. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN AUCTION. ALSO MY FUEL FLOW DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BY PUENTE HI
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2000 Chevrolet Impala. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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 engines front valve cover and gasket. V
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 agen
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.
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.
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 DROP
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
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
| Reliability raw | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 856 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 121 of them (14%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.