RecallMyCar

1979 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1979 Chevrolet Impala, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
2
owner complaints to NHTSA
0 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire

3 safety recalls for the 1979 Chevrolet Impala

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 79V247000 Reported 1,326,404 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The heads may break off the front outboard seat belt anchor bolts during normal vehicle operation even under no load conditions. This is due to the combination of bolts used, high installation torque and arrangement of the body anchorage.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace all original equipment front outboard seat belt anchor bolts on the affected vehicles at no cost to owner.

  2. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 79V161000 Reported 476,245 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 79V142000 Reported 15,328 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On the involved vehicles the brake stoplight and cruise control switch which is operated by the brake pedal may have been assembled with an incorrect lubricant on the actuating plunger. This can cause the rear brake stoplights to become inoperative and the cruise control, if activated, to stay electrically engaged.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake stoplight and cruise control switch at no cost to owner.

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1979 Chevrolet Impala have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The problem is in a new hitch i just purchased manufactured by valley industries, of lodi, california. Kit came with two 7/16" square u-bolts, which required drilling holes into the frame to install.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 4, 2002 · Suspension

“Carburetor leaked gas on manifold causing vehicle fire.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 26, 1997 · Fuel system, gasoline

Compare Chevrolet Impala model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Impala model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1958 Chevrolet Impala01
1963 Chevrolet Impala01
1965 Chevrolet Impala30
1966 Chevrolet Impala23
1967 Chevrolet Impala22
1968 Chevrolet Impala20
1969 Chevrolet Impala42
1971 Chevrolet Impala40
1972 Chevrolet Impala20
1973 Chevrolet Impala10
1974 Chevrolet Impala30
1976 Chevrolet Impala10
1977 Chevrolet Impala31
1978 Chevrolet Impala30
1979 Chevrolet Impala32
1980 Chevrolet Impala30
1981 Chevrolet Impala22
1982 Chevrolet Impala22
1983 Chevrolet Impala13
1985 Chevrolet Impala01
1987 Chevrolet Impala01
1993 Chevrolet Impala02
1994 Chevrolet Impala015
1995 Chevrolet Impala044
1996 Chevrolet Impala088
1997 Chevrolet Impala01
1998 Chevrolet Impala02
1999 Chevrolet Impala04
2000 Chevrolet Impala7818
2001 Chevrolet Impala7742
2002 Chevrolet Impala4795
2003 Chevrolet Impala5694
2004 Chevrolet Impala41,073
2005 Chevrolet Impala1609
2006 Chevrolet Impala1524
2007 Chevrolet Impala2627
2008 Chevrolet Impala2810
2009 Chevrolet Impala5824
2010 Chevrolet Impala4441
2011 Chevrolet Impala2505
2012 Chevrolet Impala3258
2013 Chevrolet Impala1272
2014 Chevrolet Impala12636
2015 Chevrolet Impala3300
2016 Chevrolet Impala0111
2017 Chevrolet Impala0116
2018 Chevrolet Impala159
2019 Chevrolet Impala128
2020 Chevrolet Impala015

Checking a specific 1979 Chevrolet Impala

How do I know if my 1979 Chevrolet Impala has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1979 Chevrolet Impala; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V142000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.