Chevrolet Impala problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 926 owner complaints and 18 recalls on file for the Chevrolet Impala (2005–2020). The 2014 Impala has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
926
Recalls
18
Model years
16
Worst year
2014

Complaints by model year

14200518200619200735200872200944201046201136201237201324820141372015642016712017432018272019152020
NHTSA complaints per Chevrolet Impala model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Chevrolet Impala years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2014 Chevrolet Impala — 248 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2015 Chevrolet Impala — 137 complaints, 1 crash, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  3. 2009 Chevrolet Impala — 72 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Airbags
  4. 2017 Chevrolet Impala — 71 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Engine
  5. 2013 Chevrolet Impala — 37 complaints, 6 crashes; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2005 (14 complaints).

Every Chevrolet Impala model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2020 Impala153010Steering
2019 Impala273111Electrical System
2018 Impala431001Transmission & Drivetrain
2017 Impala712050Engine
2016 Impala643320Electrical System
2015 Impala1371213Electrical System
2014 Impala24842312Electrical System
2013 Impala376061Electrical System
2012 Impala363003Electrical System
2011 Impala462122Engine
2010 Impala443214Airbags
2009 Impala724244Airbags
2008 Impala353132Electrical System
2007 Impala194121Engine
2006 Impala184321Engine
2005 Impala141001Electrical System

Most common Chevrolet Impala problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    269 complaints
  • Engine
    151 complaints
  • Steering
    151 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    140 complaints
  • Airbags
    136 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    116 complaints
  • Brakes
    81 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    42 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    35 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    33 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Chevrolet Impala received by NHTSA each month.

Chevrolet Impala recalls

  • Recall 18V576000Aug 30, 2018210,628 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V507000Jul 5, 2016289,254 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 15V465000Jul 24, 20155,493 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: If the front passenger air bag deploys with a child seat in the front passenger seat, it increases the risk of injury to the child.

  • Recall 15V202000Apr 6, 2015126 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

  • Recall 15V085000Feb 11, 20153,660 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

  • Recall 14V614000Oct 1, 2014106,307 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V541000Sep 9, 2014205,309 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

  • Recall 14V518000Aug 28, 20145 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

  • Recall 14V489000Aug 8, 201414,940 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: The storage compartment door may not remain closed in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

  • Recall 14V450000Jul 23, 201457,242 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V400000Jul 3, 20145,877,718 vehiclesModel years 2005

    Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 14V409000Jul 2, 2014106 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If any of the components separate, the vehicle may have a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V355000Jun 23, 20143,141,731 vehiclesModel years 2006–2014

    Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 14V092000Feb 21, 2014355 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

  • Recall 13V220000May 24, 201310,210 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 12V377000Aug 3, 201236,413 vehiclesModel years 2008–2012

    Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 11V398000Aug 5, 201110,344 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: Power steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.

  • Recall 10V480000Oct 13, 2010303,100 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology