2018 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Impala, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
43
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
60,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 11 of 43 complaints (26%).
  • Steering (7) and electrical system (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 60,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2018 Chevrolet Impala has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 14th of 16 Chevrolet Impala model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 39% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (71).

2018 Chevrolet Impala problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    11 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    10 complaints
  • Steering
    7 complaints
  • Electrical System
    7 complaints
  • Airbags
    5 complaints
  • Engine
    5 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train11
Unknown or other10
Electrical system7
Steering7
Engine5
Air bags5
Seats3
Fuel/propulsion system2

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k210k–30k530k–60k660k–100k3100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Chevrolet Impala complaints that list mileage.

2018 Chevrolet Impala recalls (1)

  • Recall 18V576000Aug 30, 2018210,628 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

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

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Recent 2018 Chevrolet Impala complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jun 26, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain
    The transmission failed, shifting is no longer smooth. It hesitates and shakes the entire car, and the car slows down to almost a crawl uphill. I understand this is an issue with Chevrolet Impalas. So now I have an $8200 bill for a problem I was never told about, and that GM knew that it existed. So, yes, the issue has been identified, reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The warning light came on when the issue happened, so it was already too late. The issue began with…
    NHTSA complaint #11746623 · source
  2. Filed Mar 30, 202660,000 miILFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the A/C was activated during the summer of 2025, the A/C failed to function as intended. The contact stated that hot air was blowing through the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with an EVAP leak. The leak was found on a corner near the evaporative canister. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to…
    NHTSA complaint #11727989 · source
  3. Filed Feb 8, 2026NCSteering
    I was driving and parked the car at the store. After checking out I went to the car got ready to leave and started backing out and the car would not turn to the left at all. I took it to the shop and was told they do not see anything wrong with my car but a steering message is coming up.
    NHTSA complaint #11716610 · source
  4. Filed Sep 16, 2025GAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    Passenger side front seat. When occupied, airbag sensor located inside the seat is malfunctioning. My husbands safety is at risk when he's in the car. He tries moving the seat up, back, etc. Sometimes works and the airbag sensor works. We are fearing that if there were any accident or need, that his life would be in danger if the airbag didn't deploy. This shouldn't be at the consumers expense as this is a safety issue. This has been ongoing for over 6 months.
    NHTSA complaint #11687573 · source
  5. Filed Aug 7, 2025116,000 miMEAirbags
    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that recently, the driver’s side air bag deployed while the vehicle was parked and unattended overnight. Prior to the failure, the air bag warning light had illuminated while driving. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11679042 · source
  6. Filed Aug 4, 2025122,690 miILCrashTowedBrakes
    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while reversing slowly, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and continued rolling backwards. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stopped and shifted to drive(D), and with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started to roll forward. The contact was not able to stop the vehicle. The contact…
    NHTSA complaint #11678344 · source
  7. Filed Feb 24, 2025128,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…
    NHTSA complaint #11644539 · source
  8. Filed Jan 29, 202526,473 miOHSteering
    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while attempting to straighten the wheels while in the driveway, the contact discovered that the steering wheel was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the power steering electrical motor and steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11639349 · source

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Other 2018 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology