RoadVitals

1981 Chevrolet Impala

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Sep 17, 1997
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 19, 1983
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1981 Chevrolet Impala, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
83V077000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Aug 19, 1983
19,108 units potentially affected
The defect: ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
80V125000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Sep 25, 1980
4,615 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH A BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR USE IN DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLES. THE INCORRECT BRACKET MAY CAUSE THE SERVICE BRAKES TO REMAIN PARTIALLY APPLIED, RESULTING IN BRAKE OVERHEATING AND REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 17, 1997
Fire reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT)

NHTSA ID
522188
Electrical
Filed Jan 10, 1995
Fire reported

AFTER SITTING IN PARKING LOT FOR (2) HOURS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE, FIRE BROKE OUT AROUND STARTER. TT

NHTSA ID
958591
Incident
Jan 2, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Impala by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020150049.1
2019281052.7
2018591045.3
20171160039.1
20161110041.3
20152993050.3
201463112257.3
20132701038.4
20122583051.6
20115052045.1
20104414048.6
20098245050.4
20088102151.8
20076273051.8
20065242156.2
20056094051.9
20041,0727052.8
20036948157.9
20027957260.4
200174210262.8
200081810263.4
1999400—
1998200—
1997100—
1996881244.9
1995441143.5
1994151142.6
1993210—
1992010—
1991010—
1987100—
1985111—
1984001—
1983320—
1982230—
1981Viewing220—
1980030—
1979230—
1978030—
1977131—
1976010—
1974030—
1973010—
1972020—
1971040—
1969240—
1968020—
1967220—
1966320—
1965030—
1963100—
1958100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.