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2010 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

351 reports with mileage · 90 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

132 reports
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1,679 miles · Jul 28, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT AT ANY TIME WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING IT'LL JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THE COMPANY CHEVROLET NEW THAT THEY PUT BAD TRANSMISSION IN THOSE CARS AND LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE GAS METER IN MOVES BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND WHEN YO…

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THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT AT ANY TIME WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING IT'LL JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THE COMPANY CHEVROLET NEW THAT THEY PUT BAD TRANSMISSION IN THOSE CARS AND LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE GAS METER IN MOVES BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR IT'LL MOVE BY ITSELF DISPLAYING ACCURATE INFORMATION AND THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT IN CARS ALMOST RAN INTO ME I LIKE TO BUY THAT DAY BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION EVERYBODY I KNOW WITH THIS CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE DIES

NHTSA ODI #11341966

58,500 miles · May 7, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibilityFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE 'SERVICE AIR BAGS' WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED RESEARCHED FAILURE ON-LINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER WAS UNAWARE IF RECALL WAS SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE 'SERVICE AIR BAGS' WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED RESEARCHED FAILURE ON-LINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER WAS UNAWARE IF RECALL WAS SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER HAD FAILED AND BURNT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

NHTSA ODI #11323673

150,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER WHO OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER MOM WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER WHO OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER MOM WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11308301

178,356 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE ABS LIGHT ON TRACTION CONTROL DOES NOT WORK KEY COMES OUT OF THE INGITON CAUSEING THE CAR TO STALL FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF

NHTSA ODI #11270682

80,000 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY CAR HAS WORKED FINE SCINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH NO CHECK ENGINE CODES.I PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND PUT CAR IN PARK,ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STALLED OUT AND WILL NOT CRANK ANYMORE BUT HAS POWER.KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION AND BATTERY WILL NOT SHUT OFF.THE IGNITION SWITCH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS AND IS VERY DANGERO…

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MY CAR HAS WORKED FINE SCINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH NO CHECK ENGINE CODES.I PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND PUT CAR IN PARK,ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STALLED OUT AND WILL NOT CRANK ANYMORE BUT HAS POWER.KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION AND BATTERY WILL NOT SHUT OFF.THE IGNITION SWITCH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.IT LOCKS PEOPLE OUT OF THERE CARS,GETS STUCK IN GEARS,WONT LET KEY RELEASE,WONT START,SETS OFF ANTI THEFT SIGNAL WHICH CUTS POWER TO DOOR LOCKS,TRUNK,STARTER,FUELPUMP,AND MORE.I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF FORUMS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING FIXED.ELDERLY WOMEN BREAKING DOWN ON HIGHWAY OR CAR JUST SHUTTING OFF AND NOT RESTARTING.IT IS SOOOOOO COMMON WITH CHEVY THAT THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM JUST OVER THE PHONE.THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE AND HAS TO BE DEALT WITH.PLEASE RECALL THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11252572

150,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Electrical System

VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL THINGS WORK, THE LIGHTS, DASHBOARD, ETC.. BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO STARTER. THIS VEHICLE HAS 150000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD 6 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED. THE NO START ISSUE WAS BELIEVED TO BE OCCURRING AFTER CAR WAS BROUGHT THROUGH CAR WASH DURING VERY COLD TEMPS OUTSIDE, BUT THIS IS NOT THE I…

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VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL THINGS WORK, THE LIGHTS, DASHBOARD, ETC.. BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO STARTER. THIS VEHICLE HAS 150000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD 6 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED. THE NO START ISSUE WAS BELIEVED TO BE OCCURRING AFTER CAR WAS BROUGHT THROUGH CAR WASH DURING VERY COLD TEMPS OUTSIDE, BUT THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE NOW. NOW IT STARTS SOMETIMES AND WILL NOT START AT OTHER TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11184613

54,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN. CLASSIC CHEVROLET (440-255-5511, LOCATED AT 6877 CENTER ST, MENTOR, OH 44060) DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF FOUR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY WHEN THE OTHER THREE ACTUATORS WOULD POTENTIALLY FAIL. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN. CLASSIC CHEVROLET (440-255-5511, LOCATED AT 6877 CENTER ST, MENTOR, OH 44060) DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF FOUR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY WHEN THE OTHER THREE ACTUATORS WOULD POTENTIALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #11184550

110,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Electrical System

THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER QUIT WORKING. MY SHOP FOUND THAT THE DEFOGGER HAD LOST ITS GROUND FUNCTION IN THE FUSE BLOCK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUSE BLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY COSTING OVER 200 DOLLARS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE DEFOGGER FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11183551

105,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND RESOLVES ITSELF. COMPLETE FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND HVAC SUDDENLY WITH ENGINE RUNNING. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH GM RECALL #36110. CONTACTED GM FOR FURTHER ACTION AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED WITH RECALL DESPITE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED FOR RECALL.…

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SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND RESOLVES ITSELF. COMPLETE FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND HVAC SUDDENLY WITH ENGINE RUNNING. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH GM RECALL #36110. CONTACTED GM FOR FURTHER ACTION AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED WITH RECALL DESPITE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED FOR RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAPPENS WITH ADULT FRONT PASSENGER, NOT WHILE SEAT IS EMPTY, AND WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11183363

110,000 miles · Jan 3, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY IMPALA AND IT HAS THE AIRBAG ISSUE WHICH IT HAS A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALL CHEVY THEY SAY MICHAEL VEHICLES NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAS THE SAME EXACT IS SHOES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE WIRES AS THE RECALL. WHEN I CALL CHEVY IT ONLY SHOWS ONE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME…

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I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY IMPALA AND IT HAS THE AIRBAG ISSUE WHICH IT HAS A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALL CHEVY THEY SAY MICHAEL VEHICLES NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAS THE SAME EXACT IS SHOES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE WIRES AS THE RECALL. WHEN I CALL CHEVY IT ONLY SHOWS ONE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE AIRBAG ISSUE BUT THERE'S A RECALL FOR SERVINGS 2009 AND 2010 CHEVY IMPALA

NHTSA ODI #11165640

Official recalls

4

16V507000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Electrical System:wiring

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Aug 3, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

10V480000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Oct 13, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.