1977 Chevrolet Impala recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 IMPALA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V161000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; STORAGE COMPARTMENT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE ABSENCE OF OUTSIDE HELP, THE CHILD WOULDSUFFOCATE.NOTE: THE OWNER IS ADVISED TO KEEP THIS COMPARTMENT LOCKED EXCEPT WHILE EITHERLOADING OR UNLOADING IT.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 IMPALA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 76V175000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: GENERAL MOTOR CAMPAIGN NO (CHEVROLET) 77C02 (PONTIAC) 77-C-4 (BUICK) 77-C-5.POSSIBILITY THAT THE TURN SIGNAL OPERATING UNIT OR VEHICLES WITH TILT STEERINGCOLUMNS MAY NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108.THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ACTUATOR PIVOT PIN WHICH MAY WORK OUT OF THE PIVOT,RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO USE TURN SIGNAL TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS OF YOURINTENTIONS TO CHANGE LANES OR TURN, CAUSING POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH. (CORRECTBY INSPECTING AND INSTALLING A RETAINER TO PRECLUDE PIVOT PIN DISENGAGEMENT).PASSENGER VEHICLE.
3. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 IMPALA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 76V132000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: GENERAL MOTOR CAMPAIGN NO 77-C-1. POSSIBILITY THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATESHAFT MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH COUPLING RETAINER LOCKING TABS NOT BENT OVERPROPERLY OR ONE OR MORE OF THE LOWER FLEXIBLE COUPLING RIVETS IMPROPERLYPEENED. IF EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOULD SEPARATE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND VEHICLE CRASH MAY OCCURWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. (CORRECT BY INSPECTING, AND REPLACING SHAFT WHERENECESSARY). PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1977 Chevrolet Impala owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Trailer Hitches (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
02/14/1996 · Trailer Hitches
TOW BAR BROKE, CAUSING TOW VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO GUARD RAIL.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *SD