Owners have filed 64 complaints
about the 1995 Chevrolet Impala with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 23 of 24 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Impala. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 24
4.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1995 compares with every other Chevrolet Impala
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 Chevrolet Impala
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
914.1%
Tires
710.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
710.9%
Electrical System
710.9%
Suspension
69.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 102,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
57.8%
Median failure at 169,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
46.3%
Seats
34.7%
Seat Belts
23.1%
Wheels
23.1%
Body & Structure
23.1%
Steering
23.1%
Engine & Cooling
23.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Other & Unspecified
11.6%
Equipment & Accessories
11.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks
11.6%
Lights
11.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
11.6%
Airbags
11.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 13Nov 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Chevrolet Impala
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA99003Opened 13 Jan 1999Closed 17 Aug 2000VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
COOLANT FIRES
Recalls on the 1995 Chevrolet Impala
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19960251,942 units in Canada
Suspension
NOTE: INCLUDES CAPRICE POLICE SEDANS, TAXI CABS AND SPECIAL SERVICE WAGONS; FLEETWOOD HEARSE AND LIMOUSINE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT MAY BE LOOSE. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE. IF SEPARATION WERE TO OCCUR WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Beverly Hills, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SMELLED SMOKE FROM A/C SYSTEM, AFTER PARKING DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE, TWO MINUTES LATER BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SMOKE STOPPED AFTER TEN MINUTES, OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL PLASTIC COMPONENTS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #9004724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poughkeepsie, NYCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FRONT LOWER LEFT BALL JOINTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX1 injured
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT TRACK AND MOUNTING FAILED RESULTING IN MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER AND MINOR DAMAGE TO CAR WHILE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK MOUNTING FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS AND MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR STRUCK A CURB WHILE REGAINING CONTROL. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF SEAT PLASTIC DEBRIS FOUND UNDER SEAT THAT APPEARS TO BE REMNANTS OF PLASTIC GUIDES/BEARINGS LOCATED BETWEEN STATIONARY AND MOVABLE SECTIONS OF THE SEAT TRACKS. FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN STEEL BRACKET RIVETED TO LOWER ALUMINUM (STATIONARY) PORTION OF THE TRACK FAILED. FAILURE APPARENTLY DUE TO A CRACK IN THE STEEL AS CRACKS WERE OBSERVED IN ALL OF THE STEEL BRACKETS ON THAT SEAT. PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #729888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HEATER CORE IN MY 1995 CHEVY IMPALA SS. I HAVE REPLACED IT 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 8 YEARS. THIS IS NOT INCLUDING THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2000. I CAN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT ANYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #10249118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesColumbus, IN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE BACKING OUT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 1996. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE EITHER THE RECALL WAS INEFFECTIVE OR THE DESIGN IS FLAWED. *NM REGARDING TO THE CONTACT'S TELEPHONE CALL THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT NO OTHER COMPLAINED HAS BEEN RECEIVED CONCERNING THE BALL JOINTS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10087334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesRichmond, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I HAD A STALLING PROBLEM WHICH I DIAGNOSED TO THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. I REMOVED FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK SUBMERGED IN GAS. I WAS ALARMED TO NOTE CHARRING AND MELTING OF INSULATION ON THE THREE WIRE HARNESS WHICH CONNECTS THE POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP, SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS SEEMS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I THEN LOGGED ONTO NHTSA TO DISCOVER AN ALARMING NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I REPLACED COMPONENTS MYSELF AT A COST OF $375.00. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SMELLED SMOKE FROM A/C SYSTEM, AFTER PARKING DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE, TWO MINUTES LATER BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SMOKE STOPPED AFTER TEN MINUTES, OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL PLASTIC COMPONENTS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #9004724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poughkeepsie, NYCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FRONT LOWER LEFT BALL JOINTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homestead, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY LEAKED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 15, 417 MILES ON IT, CAUSING ACID DAMAGE TO BATTERY CABLE AND STARTER, WHICH WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW VEHICLE HAS 39,400 MILES AND BATTERY IS LEAKING AGAIN, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY HOLD-DOWN AND PAN THAT BATTERY SITS ON. GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS IT.
NHTSA complaint #748460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN BLOWS WHEN A BUMP IS HIT IN THE ROAD OR WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, AE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WIRE INSIDE GAS TANK IS FRAYED AND COMPLETELY MELTED WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX1 injured
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT TRACK AND MOUNTING FAILED RESULTING IN MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER AND MINOR DAMAGE TO CAR WHILE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK MOUNTING FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS AND MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR STRUCK A CURB WHILE REGAINING CONTROL. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF SEAT PLASTIC DEBRIS FOUND UNDER SEAT THAT APPEARS TO BE REMNANTS OF PLASTIC GUIDES/BEARINGS LOCATED BETWEEN STATIONARY AND MOVABLE SECTIONS OF THE SEAT TRACKS. FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN STEEL BRACKET RIVETED TO LOWER ALUMINUM (STATIONARY) PORTION OF THE TRACK FAILED. FAILURE APPARENTLY DUE TO A CRACK IN THE STEEL AS CRACKS WERE OBSERVED IN ALL OF THE STEEL BRACKETS ON THAT SEAT. PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #729888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pooler, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN TO RETRACTOR, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE WITHOUT SELF RESTRAINT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COSTS.
NHTSA complaint #858433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panama City, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THERE HAS BEEN LIGHT TAPPING IN THE ENGINE WHEN COLD, TENDED TO FADE AS VEHICLE WARMS. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE TAPPING CONTINUES AND IS NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #714175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Green, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
INTANK WIRING SHORTED OUT, BURNT THROUGH INSULATION AND CONNECTORS
NHTSA complaint #713141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galloway, OH
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WE WERE INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PART WAS ON A TWO MONTH NATIONWIDE BACKORDER RAISING QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA.
NHTSA complaint #709997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home AFB, ID
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE IN TWO PIECES ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED .
NHTSA complaint #842805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mhafb, ID
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VEHICLE RECENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. OWNER IS CONCERNED PART MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR FROM A LOT OF PARTS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #708871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTOR FRACTURED AND SENT A PIECE OF STEEL INTO EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSEMBLY DAMAGING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #542481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE REAR BRAKE PADS ARE WORN OUT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO THE WEATHER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #824328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
RIGHT REAR B.F. GOODRICH TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE FAILED. ALSO VEHICLE LOSES 2-3 POUNDS PER WEEK BY JUST SITTING DUE TO ALUMINUM WHEEL RIMS.
NHTSA complaint #526316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
WHEELS:RIM
RIGHT REAR B.F. GOODRICH TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE FAILED. ALSO VEHICLE LOSES 2-3 POUNDS PER WEEK BY JUST SITTING DUE TO ALUMINUM WHEEL RIMS.
NHTSA complaint #526316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Springs, FL
TIRES
LEFT FRONT B. F. GOODRICH TIRES DEFLATED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #526304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedminster, NJ
TIRES
TIRES LOSE AIR PRESSURE IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #526313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
TIRES:BEAD
RIGHT REAR TIRES BROKE BEAD SEAL WHILE TURNING CORNER AT LOW SPEEDS, INSTANTLY DEFLATING TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #518489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, MS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 15MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF. THE BRAKES WILL NOT EVEN WORK AT THIS TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #815075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ASHTRAY MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #513391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.