- The problem
- 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.
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1978 Chevrolet Impala Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1978 Chevrolet Impala have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in July 1979 for the latch.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Impala year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1978 Chevrolet Impala recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "Anchorage of seats", in that the front seat adjuster assemblies have lock bars which may not remain engaged when test procedure forces are applied to the seat.
- The fix
- Dealer will install an additional lock bar return spring without charge to owner.
- The problem
- The rear wheel mounting bolts on the affected vehicles, are brittle and therefore may fracture. This brittleness is due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. If the bolts break, the tire and wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace defective bolts on all axles and the ten rear axle wheel mounting bolts, free of charge.
What owners say
Be the first Impala owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1978 Chevrolet Impala yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Chevrolet Impala: every year compared
All Impala years1978 Chevrolet Impala vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 Chevrolet Impala | 0 | 3 | C | |
| 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck | 2 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1978 Chevrolet C10 | 1 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1978 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1978 Chevrolet Corvette | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1978 Chevrolet Blazer | 1 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1978 Chevrolet Impala
Does the 1978 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1978 Chevrolet Impala: latch (July 1979); recliner (August 1978); lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (November 1977). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1978 Chevrolet Impala had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1978 Chevrolet Impala a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 43 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Chevrolet Impala year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Chevrolet Impala years have the most complaints?
1966 (3), 1969 (2), 1958 (1). See every Chevrolet Impala year compared.
What should I do if my 1978 Chevrolet Impala has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data