There are 50 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Impalain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRAC CONTROL LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR ALMOST SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL! NOW THE LIGHTS HAVE STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT 3 MONTHS RESEARCHING THE WEB TO FIND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUES. NO ONE HAS DONE A RECALL ON THIS IN ALL OF THESE YEARS??? DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A DEATH TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED? MAYBE THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE PARTS OR IT WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THIS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD NOT BE A FIX AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE WHEN THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTS. THIS FIX CAN COST UPWARDS OF $3,000.00. I WOULD ASK THAT SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THIS RESOLVED ASAP. I WILL BE KEEPING A RECORD OF ALL CONTACT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT IF ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OR OTHERS FAMILIES IT WILL SHOW CONTACT WAS MADE AND WHAT STEPS CHEVY HAS TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THERE CUSTOMERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BRAKE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE ABS HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE HAS REAPPEARED. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THEY STAY ON UNTIL THE MOTOR IS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 87000. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE ABS HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES, MAKING AWFUL GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. DOES IT RATHER ROADS ARE WET OR DRY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS . I HAVE READ MANY MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 CHEVY IMPALAS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR RESULT IN A FATALITY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE BUT IF TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE TO WAIT THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER TO NO AVAIL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY OTHER YEAR. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/06/11
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON 2002 CHEVY IMPALA, BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. REPAIR SHOP 1 MILE AWAY. BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND SPLIT. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES, BECAUSE OTHER SIDE WAS RUSTING AND SHOP AFRAID OF FAILURE ON OTHER LINE AFTER FLUSH AND FILL. SO REPLACED ALL LINES. *TR
SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CHEVY IMPALA AT GENE PANKEY MOTOR IN TACOMA WASHINGTON WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN WE WOULD RETURN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT WORKED ON THEY WOULD CLEAR THE COMPUTER WHICH WOULD CLEARS THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. WE HAVE HAD OUR IMPALA IN ALOT OF TIMES AT LEAST 15X WE NEVER THOUGHT TO KEEP TRACK HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS WORKED ON ITS BEEN TO 4 DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR THE SAME THING. WE LOVE THIS CAR IT IS A GREAT CAR LOTS OF ROOM AND HAS GIDDY UP AND WELL ITS HOT AND ITS PAID FOR. WE REALLY WANT OUR CAR FIXED WE ARE TIRED OF TAKING IT IN TO BE FIXED AND NOTHING GETS DONE. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT THE CHEVY DEALER SAYING THAT WAS BAD AND REPLACED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SENSOR TWICE AT AMCO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN FIRCREST ITS BEEN TO BITTERLINGS IN TACOMA AS WELL AS THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM GENE PANKEY. AND WE STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE ABS LIGHT NOW COMES ON, IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I FEEL IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BRAKES OR THE TRANSMISSION! THE BRAKES GO SPONGY WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON WE LOSE OUR BRAKES!!!! I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY TIL 100,000 MILES AND IM ONLY AT 80,000 BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE TIME TO KEEP TAKING THIS THING TO THE DEALER. I WANT MY RIDE FIXED AND I WANT IT FIXED NOW. CANT WE START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!!
HAVE HAD "TRACTION CONTROL" PROBLEMS FOR 2 YEARS. WAS TOLD MANY THINGS COULD CAUSE THIS. NOW DRIVING WITH NO TRACTION CONTROL AND NO ABS, JUST REGULAR BRAKES. HAVE REPLACED HUBS AND BRAKES. HAVE TO FILE FOR WAIVER FOR INSPECTION. WILL TRY REPLACING ABS PUMP NEXT IF CAN EVER AFFORD SUCH A BIG REPAIR. DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR
ABS LIGHT ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LAMP. *TR
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BRAKES. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. HE STATES THAT THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE ENGINE AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. *JB
TRACTION CONTROL PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP WHEN THERE WASN'T ANY SNOW. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE WARNING WOULD BE TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", WOULD SHUT DOWN THE ABS. CAR WAS SERVICED, BAD WHEEL BEARING. COST $427.00. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMP ON PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 98,764 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AT ABOUT 89,000 MILES. THERE IS AN ASSORTED AMOUNT OF SYMPTOMS THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE YOU MAY HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: 1. AFTER START UP (WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED) THE ABS/TRACTION LAMP MAY OR MAY NOT COME ON. THIS IS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT COLD START OR HOT RESTART (IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AT THE BOTH EXTREMES). 2. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON JUST DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. 3. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON WHILE MAKING A SLOW RIGHT HAND TURN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED LIGHTLY. 4. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON WHEN TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY APPLIED. 5. THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LAMP MAY COME ON WHILE TRAVELING IN LIGHT AND HEAVY RAIN. THIS MAY ALSO OCCUR AFTER RUNNING THE CAR THOUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT YOU MAY HEAR THE ABS PUMP MOTOR CYCLE A NUMBER OF TIMES (USUALLY 3) BEFORE THE INDICATOR LAMPS COME ON. TECHNICAL INFORMATION: THE FOLLOWING FAILURE CODES MAY BE STORED IN THE EBCM SEE BELOW: C1216 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE COMMANDED PRESSURE RELEASE IS TO LONG. C1221 LF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1222 RF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1223 LR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1224 RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL = 0. C1225 LEFT FRONT EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR VARIATION. C1226 RIGHT FRONT EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR VARIATION. C1232 LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT IS OPEN OR SHORTED. C1233 RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT IS OPEN OR SHORTED. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMP ON PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 98,764 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AT ABOUT 89000 MILES. THERE IS AN ASSORTED AMOUNT OF SYMPTOMS THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE YOU MAY HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: 1. AFTER START UP (WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED) THE ABS/TRACTION LAMP MAY OR MAY NOT COME ON. THIS IS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT COLD START OR HOT RESTART (IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AT THE BOTH EXTREMES). 2. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON JUST DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. 3. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON WHILE MAKING A SLOW RIGHT HAND TURN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED LIGHTLY. 4. THE ABS BRAKES MAY CYCLE ON WHEN TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY APPLIED. 5. THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LAMP MAY COME ON WHILE TRAVELING IN LIGHT AND HEAVY RAIN. THIS MAY ALSO OCCUR AFTER RUNNING THE CAR THOUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT YOU MAY HEAR THE ABS PUMP MOTOR CYCLE A NUMBER OF TIMES (USUALLY 3) BEFORE THE INDICATOR LAMPS COME ON. TECHNICAL INFORMATION: THE FOLLOWING FAILURE CODES MAY BE STORED IN THE EBCM SEE BELOW: C1216 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE COMMANDED PRESSURE RELEASE IS TO LONG. C1221 LF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1222 RF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1223 LR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL IS 0. C1224 RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR INPUT SIGNAL = 0. C1225 LEFT FRONT EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR VARIATION. C1226 RIGHT FRONT EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR VARIATION. C1232 LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT IS OPEN OR SHORTED. C1233 RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT IS OPEN OR SHORTED. *TR
WHILE I LOVE MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA IT HAS TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT ITS SAFETY. FIRST, I HD REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY TWICE IN 1.5 YEARS AND THE LINKAGE HAD BEEN RESET TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAYED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BLOCKING THE VIEW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE REAR BRAKES, WHICH DETERIORATED AND CRUSTED , REQUIRING FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, ETC. THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE IF NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE OWNER AND A RESPONSIBLE MECHANIC. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE DATE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERSWAS LISTED BELOW. THE BRAKES WERE FULLY REPLACED IN MARCH 2007.*AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON 3/15/07 HE NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY FELT SOFT AND DRIFTED TO THE FLOOR. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE GARAGE FLOOR AND NOTICED SPOTS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE A DETERIORATING BRAKE FLUID LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO KEEP ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,995, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 >AK CONSUMER PROVIDED COPY OF PICTURES AND INVOICE. UPDATE *4/23/07 **TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED AND WORN DOWN TO THE POINT THAT ONLY HALF OF THE BRAKE SHOES WERE USED. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS, HE HEARD A NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO FRONT BRAKE SHOES HAD SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE TWO FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BRAKE SHOES WERE ALL REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA I HAVE A 50 / 50 CHANCE OF GETTING THIS JUNK TO START. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS REPLACE THE BCM AND THE IGNITION, BUT JUDGING FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL WHY SPEND THE MONEY IF IT IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SOME ONE SOME WHERE MUST KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, IT CAN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING TO GET IT STARTED IS LEAVE THE KEY ON THE ON POSITION FOR A FULL TEN MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING 3 TIMES. IF YOU TRY AND START IT TO SOON YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER TEN MINUTES, THE GREAT PART ABOUT ALL THIS IS GM WANTS THE GOVERNMENT TO BAIL THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOSING MONEY, I WISH GM WOULD HELP BAIL ME OUT OF THIS PIECE OF JUNK, I'M LOSING MONEY TRYING TO KEEP THIS THING GOING. *TR
ANTILOCKS AND TRACTION ACTIVATION. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP OR GO BECAUSE OF ANTILOCKS AND TRACTION ACTIVATION. ALL THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO REPLACE PARTS AT MY COST. WE TOOK IT TO A SERVICE GARAGE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE ROTORS PULSATED AT 11,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFACED THE ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AT 33,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSTALL NEW ROTORS BUT REFACED THE ROTORS A SECOND TIME. THE ROTORS BEGAN PULSATING A THIRD TIME. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE 2005 MODEL OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026