Overview & Reviews

Now into its third year of production, the Impala soldiers on as Chevrolet's bread-and-butter family sedan. Minor upgrades this year include standard dual-zone air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo and LATCH child seat tether anchors. A leather-accented 60/40 split bench seat will be available later this year on LS models, and two new exterior colors have been added.

• Six-passenger seating availability, good crash test scores, torquey V6 engines.

• So-so styling, wallowy suspension,low-buck interior.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 152.00

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  Awful - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By gdb85 - February 22 - 2:31 pm

  I think I was particularly unlucky with the car I got, but this was the worst car I ever owned. In the 7 years I had it, I spent over $4,000 on major repairs, most of which came in the course of one year. By the end, it had rusted so badly that the fuel filter was rusted in place and mechanics couldnt put it on a lift because underside components were so corroded that they crushed. I didnt feel like I could leave town. The turn signal worked only intermittently for the last six months I owned it. I was so tired of dumping money into it that I just stopped making repairs.

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  Solid Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By pacman401 - November 5 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this car from my grandmother with 127,000 miles on it. So far, it has been a solid car. A few issues though. Transmission had to be rebuilt (those GM transaxles were already known to be crap) and I had to fix a wheel hub. But other than that, it has been a solid car. The sensors go bad all the time, but the car runs great and starts smooth everytime. Handles good, very comfortable for a long trip. The 3.8L is a fantastic motor so far, very torque enriched and shows no signs of quitting soon. I expect to put another 100,000 miles on it before its time for a new one, due to rust problems starting (its Michigan, so all cars are like that). Overall, a very solid car.

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  like a dream... with a nightmare - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By kaytebug22 - August 20 - 1:07 am

  the passlock security system on this car has caused me nothing but trouble!! while edmunds review refers to the "float" like handling of this car as a bad thing, its one of my favorite features. i love the way my impala rides! and i travel across the country for a 900 mile each direction trip 1-2 times per year and a few 300 mile ea way trips too... and its a comfortable a ride over any other vehicle i have traveled in.

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  2nd one! =) - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By simplyme - April 13 - 10:00 am

  1st was an 03 Impala LS Hit 300.XXX time for a trade in lol. got an 02 Had it for a while now, and its absolutely amazing just as well as my 03. comfort A+, hes quick, comfortable. and has never left me stranded, Havent had the security issue. gets 27MPG constantly, Homelink is amazing... traction control does wonders. my only issue is the heated seats go out frequently.. but Im cool with it, pardon the pun xD Pretty sure my next one will be a SS =) Def recommend this car.

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  Cheverolet Impala 3.8L Police Package - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By mckessa - March 28 - 9:03 pm

  I bought my Impala new at a Toronto dealership. I found the car to have good exceleration and handling. The 3.8L is bullet proof with over 360,000 klm on the original engine. The transmission has been flawless. The only issues I have had was with the computer which crashed right after the warranty expired. This was a $1000 repair. The wipers would not go into the park position, repaired several times. Most recently the gas gage went screwy and the turn signal shorts out on damp days. All in all an above average car that really doesnt owe me anything.

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  Overall...A Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By normh83 - October 13 - 3:25 am

  I have the LS model and even with some frustrations.....overall it has been a very good car. Like many other Impala owners, Ive experienced several common issues. Those are: catalytic converters wearing out, brakes, computers. For cars made during these year models, GM still had not perfected their hubless brake rotors meaning....they dont dissipate heat well and tend to warp causing premature wear, shimmying on the steering wheel, etc. Try installing high quality performance brake parts. I spent $250 on 2 new slotted & drilled front brake rotors plus high quality metallic pads. I quit having brake problems.

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  Good car even with age - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By fordracer103 - May 18 - 1:57 am

  I bought the car with 90,000 miles. The car did have a couple cosmetic problems, but the car did run well. After some expected maintenance, changing spark plugs Spark plug wires, etc, the car preformed very well. I drove it form college every weekend and got an average of 32 Mpg using regular 87 gasoline and 35 if I used 89 plus. I was surprised with power that the car had (3.8 liter) The car did have its cons. The Wiper Motor Crank Arm can cause the wipers to park in the up position which cost around 600 dollars overall to repair. I dodged a bullet by having the dealership pay for the repair. The rims clear coat broke down causing unsighlty rust and spots on the rims.

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  A money pit. - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Darren - December 4 - 2:00 am

  GM went bankrupt and there vehicles could make you go bankrupt. I have had nothing but trouble, had to rebuild transmission at 115,000, did all the recommended maintience. Ignition switch went bad, air conditioning went bad, catalytic convert plug, wiring harness is going bad. You name it. Heated seats went bad, window module switch went bad. I doubt I would ever buy an Impala or anything close to it again. Its a great road car if the long term reliability was there. U (you) A (aint) W (working) workmanship is subpar. Thats what you get for paying people doctors wages to build cars. Good luck GM you will need it.

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  Gasket Trouble - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gasket Trouble - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Tons of interior and trunk space, especially rear seat "leg room" which is perfect for child seats. Replaced head gasket at 72,000 miles and cat-converter at 82,000. The clogged cat was a symptom of the prior gasket failure. This is the 3rd GM 3.4L V6 I have owned, head gasket went in all 3, poor engine design. Get the LS with the 3.8L and youll be just fine. Crossing fingers that repairs over $1,200 are done with for a while.

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  Good sedan for nearly any usage. - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By rsb90 - July 24 - 3:38 pm

  I have owned this car for almost two years now. It was my fathers car and he had purchased it new and neither him nor myself have had too much trouble with it. Its had one new battery, I recently had a tune up for it and put new brakes on it. It always has been good for trips and for having more people riding with me. I bought it with 80k miles on it and now it has 120k and I think it will last another 120k!