Which Years of Used Chevrolet Impalas Are Most Reliable?
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The Chevrolet Impala is one of the oldest American motor vehicle lines ever manufactured. Though it was discontinued in 2020, you can find many used Chevrolet Impalas in the secondhand market. If you’re looking to purchase a used Chevrolet Impala, however, you need to know which vehicle years are most suitable. The most reliable Chevrolet Impala years are those made most recently. Let’s break this down in more detail so you know what to look for in your vehicle search.
Most Reliable Years for the Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is no longer in production – the last model was the 2020 Chevrolet Impala. That said, you can still find many used Chevy Impalas at Carlos around the country. But this vehicle had a long history, and it took Chevrolet some time to ensure the car earned consistent reliability scores.
THE CHEVROLET IMPALA YEARS TO AVOID
There are many Chevy Impala years to avoid because of mechanical issues and reliability woes. And today, we’re going to highlight the worst Chevy Impala years that are best avoided if you’re buying used.
The overall rule of thumb for purchasing used Chevrolet Impalas is: the newer the car is, the more reliable and safer it is likely to be. So the most reliable Chevrolet Impala year is usually the most recent one.
In addition, Chevrolet started creating the Impala series with better attention to detail starting in 2015, with one exception in 2013. The 2013 Chevrolet Impala was largely popular and very consistent and reliable, with only one recall related to an ignition key.
Aside from 2013, the most reliable years for the Chevrolet Impala include:
- 2015 Chevrolet Impala
- 2016 Chevrolet Impala
- 2017 Chevrolet Impala
- 2018 Chevrolet Impala
- 2019 Chevrolet Impala
- 2020 Chevrolet Impala
Keep this in mind as you look for a used Chevrolet Impala, as you’ll want to purchase one of these used vehicles that doesn’t come with a lot of maintenance concerns.
Are Chevrolet Impalas Generally Reliable?
The Chevrolet Impala has been on the market since 2001, and on average, these vehicles have become more reliable as time has gone on. For example, if you were to purchase a used Chevrolet Impala from 2019, it would be more likely to be consistent and safe compared to an Impala from 2002.
According to fixdapp.com, Chevrolet Impala used vehicles from 2015 on are highly reliable, with a reliability score of eight out of 10. Owners also score these vehicles highly, usually seven out of 10. Motorbiscuit.com also states that used Chevy Impala models become more reliable as they are built more recently; most used vehicles after 2015 are relatively reliable and consistent.
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Which Chevrolet Impalas Are the Least Reliable?
In addition to having a long range of reliable years, the Chevrolet Impala was also produced with less than stellar model years. On average, you should try to stay away from used Chevy Impalas that were built before 2013. Indeed, the ninth generation Impala’s first three years of production from 2006-2008 were the least reliable years of this vehicle.
However, other less reliable model years of the Chevrolet Impala include:
- 2009 Chevrolet Impala
- 2010 Chevrolet Impala
- 2011 Chevrolet Impala
- 2012 Chevrolet Impala
If you purchase a used Chevrolet Impala from one of these years, make sure to get your hands on a maintenance history report. That way, you can check to see if the vehicle was recalled previously or has other concerns you need to know about.
Are Chevrolet Impalas Expensive to Maintain?
When you purchase a used Chevrolet Impala, you’ll need to spend some money maintaining it and tackling common issues from used vehicles. Fortunately, you shouldn’t break the bank doing this. According to caredge.com, a used Chevrolet Impala should run you about $6524 for maintenance and repairs across 10 years.
This is a little better than the industry average for popular sedan models, which is $572. There’s less than a 20% chance that a Chevrolet Impala will need a major repair in the first 10 years of its lifespan. Of course, keep in mind that if you purchase a Chevrolet Impala older than 10 years, you could run into more expensive and more severe errors, particularly those regarding the car’s critical systems and undercarriage.
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Which Chevrolet Impala is Most Reliable?
In keeping with the above information, the newer a Chevrolet Impala is, the more reliable it tends to be. According to hotcars.com, the 2020 Chevrolet Impala is the overall most reliable most reliable Chevrolet Impala year.
It includes a spacious cabin, a good speaker system, and excellent core components. However, other good model years of the Chevrolet Impala include:
- 2019 Chevrolet Impala
- 2017 Chevrolet Impala
- 2016 Chevrolet Impala
- 2018 Chevrolet Impala
What Are the Most Common Chevrolet Impala Problems?
Even though Chevy Impalas are available with reliable models, some models also share certain common problems you might encounter if you pick up one of these used vehicles. According to vehiclehistory.com, the most common Chevrolet Impala problems include:
- Transmission pressure control solenoid failure (really shifting gears)
- Ignition key getting stuck in the vehicle
- Issues with the HVAC system (specifically air-conditioning)
In general, these issues are most common in Chevrolet Impalas of the ninth generation, such as those built before 2013. You can also stick to the general rule of thumb that the Chevrolet Impala it’s better as years go on (so more recent model years are better than older ones). Therefore, the most reliable Chevrolet Impala years may not have the same issues at all.
Is the Chevrolet Impala Worth It?
In general, the Chevrolet Impala is not worth it as a used vehicle because there were more bad years than there were good years. That said, if you are looking for an affordable commuter vehicle or family car and know that your used Chevrolet Impala was built in the last five years, you could potentially get a good deal.
A used Chevrolet Impala built recently is more likely to be worth your time and not be saddled with high maintenance fees or problems with the engine, transmission, and more.
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Final Thoughts
As you can see, the best years of used Chevrolet Impalas are the most recent model years for the vehicle, usually from 2016 and onward. Keep this in mind if you wish to purchase a used Chevrolet Impala.
With luck, this information will help you find the best used car for your needs and allow you to avoid an unlucky purchase that costs you more in the long run.
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