ChevroletImpala1972Overview/chevrolet/impala/1972/base/

1972 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1972 Impala.

The 1972 Chevrolet Impala Overview documents a complaint history that covers the period from 1991 through 2020. During that span the model reached a high of 1,071 complaints in 2004 and a low of just one complaint in 1997, highlighting considerable variability in reported issues. Consequently, the 1972 model year serves as an early data point that precedes the peaks and troughs observed in subsequent years, offering a baseline for evaluating the Impala’s reliability trajectory.

Model year202020192018201720162015201320121972

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length216.5 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase119.7 in
Curb weight3920 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impala of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.20 sec — 1972 Custom Hardtop Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1972Custom Hardtop Coupe 6.6L V811.20 sec20.50 sec170 hpRWD
1965SS V8 Hardtop Coupe 4.6L V812.40 sec19.70 secRWD
1962SS409 V8 Coupe 6.7L V86.30 sec14.90 sec409 hpRWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

73V013000Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody ShieldsReported 24/01/1973

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE… Remedy: INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

72V185000SeatsReported 19/07/1972

Remedy:

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impala. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1972 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.