2010 Chevrolet IMPALA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Chevrolet IMPALA has 737 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 9.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet impala. while traveling with the cruise control activated at speeds of 75 mph, the contact noticed that the instrument panel was extremely difficult to read on a very sunny day, even with his sunglasses on. the vehicle was not diagnosed and the contact had notic. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 25 crash reports 18 injuries

737

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

9.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

133 complaints

18%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT SPEEDS OF 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ ON A VERY SUNNY DAY, EVEN WITH HIS SUNGLASSES ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOTIC
• WHILE TRAVELING AWAY FROM HOME I PARKED MY CAR AND THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE OFF POSITION. THEREFORE I HAD TO BE TROU
• MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN BACK TO THE OFF POSITION SO I CAN GET THE KEY OUT. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT MY BATTERY TO KEEP THE BATTERY FROM DRAINING COMPLETELY WHEN NOT IN USE AND RECONNECT MY BATTERY WHEN I NEED TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND I CANNOT LOCK MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. I FEEL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 6 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT SPEEDS OF 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ ON A VERY SUNNY DAY, EVEN WITH HIS SUNGLASSES ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOTIC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

102 complaints

14%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND
• SERVICE AIR BAG DISPLAYED IN INFORMATION DISPLAY ALONG WITH RED ILLUMINATED SYMBOL OF AIR BAG WOULD COME AND GO ON AND OFF EVERY TIME ITS DRIVEN .TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 9/10/2012 WITH LIGHT AND WARNING ON WHEN PARKED IN SERVICE LANE AND THEY INFORMED ME NO PROBLEM FOUND,NO CODES STORED. *TR
• I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS A SERVICE AIR BAGS MESSAGE ON THE DIC MESSAGE CONSOLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO I THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE A RECALL SINCE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY IS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 11 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

94 complaints

13%

• I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING.....I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK, TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, PUT IT BACK IN AND THE CAR STARTED. NOW I AM SCARED TO PUT MY 5 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE TRAC STABILITY AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER TWENTY MINUTES AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIM
• I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. I HAVE REMAINED CURRENT ON ALL OF MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR RECENTLY HAD THE WARNINGS: SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. I HAVE LOOKED ON MULTIPLE OUTLETS AND SAW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE SOLUTION THAT THE DEALER GIV

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING.....I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK, TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, PUT IT BACK IN AND THE CAR STARTED. NOW I AM SCARED TO PUT MY 5 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

74 complaints

10%

• THE VEHICLE SERVICE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT REASON ALL THE TIME. THE CAR REDUCES SPEED AND STALL WHEN I STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOSES SPEED AND SHUT DOWN. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR
• I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. I HAVE REMAINED CURRENT ON ALL OF MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR RECENTLY HAD THE WARNINGS: SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. I HAVE LOOKED ON MULTIPLE OUTLETS AND SAW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE SOLUTION THAT THE DEALER GIV
• THE 2010 IMPALA WAS AT HWY SPEEDS AT APPROX 65MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE MESSAGE DISPLAY WAS FLASHING TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE. THE LIGHTS STAYED ON. IT ALSO SAID ENGINE AT REDUCED SPEEDS . THE TRACTION CONTROL FAILED AT HWY SPEEDS WHICH LEFT ME COASTI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE VEHICLE SERVICE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT REASON ALL THE TIME. THE CAR REDUCES SPEED AND STALL WHEN I STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOSES SPEED AND SHUT DOWN. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

67 complaints

• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT THE PARING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NOT PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION AND UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A RETAINING POND. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A MALF
• MAY 9TH, I PARKED MY CAR IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT . UPON TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR TO GO HOME I COULD NOT GET IT TO GO IN TO GEAR. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW A FRIEND OF MINE HELPED ME REMOVE THE CENTER CONSOLE TO SEE IF WE COULD LOCATE THE ISSUE. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO MANUALLY DE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FRONT STRUTS WER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT THE PARING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NOT PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION AND UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A RETAINING POND. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A MALF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 737 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT SPEEDS OF 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ ON A VERY SUNNY DAY, EVEN WITH HIS SUNGLASSES ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOTIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING.....I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK, TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, PUT IT BACK IN AND THE CAR STARTED. NOW I AM SCARED TO PUT MY 5 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: THE VEHICLE SERVICE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT REASON ALL THE TIME. THE CAR REDUCES SPEED AND STALL WHEN I STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOSES SPEED AND SHUT DOWN. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)