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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

Visibility complaints

7 reports
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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

88,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
EquipmentVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10644568

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT THE ACTUATORS TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING UNIT START CLICKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL STOP. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 500 AND 600 DOLLARS TO FIX. IN ANY EVENT I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE …

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IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT THE ACTUATORS TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING UNIT START CLICKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL STOP. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 500 AND 600 DOLLARS TO FIX. IN ANY EVENT I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO OWN IMPALAS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY SISTER WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. SHE HAD TO TAKE HER CAR BACK TWICE BEFORE IT WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE CLICKING NOISE HAPPENS EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND IT IS STORMING OUTSIDE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY OUT OF POCKET MONEY FROM THE CONSUMER. AFTER ALL THE TAXPAYERS DID BAIL YOU OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625828

63,000 miles · May 15, 2014
StructureVisibility

I HAD TO HAVE AN ACTUATOR REPLACED ON MY 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN I CALLED OTHER MECHANIC SHOP (INCLUDING GM), WAS UNINFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH IMPALAS. I ALSO HAD SEVERAL COWORKERS WITH IMPALAS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. CONSIDERING THIS ISSUE IS SO COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588606

74,500 miles · Nov 16, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE I DISCOVER THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS CONNECTORS HOLDING THE WIRING FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER(AND ALL OTHER WIRES) IS BURNT., THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ARE HARNESSES FOR WIRING LEADING FORM THE ENGINE AREA, TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FOR ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCL…

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THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE I DISCOVER THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS CONNECTORS HOLDING THE WIRING FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER(AND ALL OTHER WIRES) IS BURNT., THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ARE HARNESSES FOR WIRING LEADING FORM THE ENGINE AREA, TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FOR ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE REAR DEFROSTER. VISIBLY YOU CAN SEE THE AREA THAT IS BURNT FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER. THE WIRING FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER IS NOT FUSED, AND IN MY OPINION IS A FIRE HAZARD. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE I DISCOVER THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES, AND IS VERY PROMINENT IN IMPALA'S BETWEEN 2006 AND UP. WITH OUT A FUSE FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER THERE IS NO SAFETY MECHANISM PREVENTING A SHORT, OR BURN OUT OF THE COMPONENTS, THUS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE INSIDE THE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE REAR DEFROST NOT TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552566

70,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility

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 THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE…

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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 THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I COULD GET INJURED WHILE CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING MY BATTERY AND I CANNOT SECURE MY CAR. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR IS ON. IT WAS NOT ON WHEN I PURCHASED THIS USED CAR BUT IT CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. MY REAR DEFROSTER BARELY WORKS. THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS AT ZERO THEN STARTS WORKING FOR A FEW TENTHS OF A MILE THEN GOES BACK TO ZERO AGAIN. I HAVE TO GUESS WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT ABOUT 68,000 MILES. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO REPAIR ANY OF THE ABOVE AT THEIR EXPENSE. STATING THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON MANY MODELS OF CHEVROLET VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498320

3,838 miles · Oct 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I HAD PURCHASED A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN JULY, 2010. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT REPAIR OF THE FRONT END VIBRATION WAS ON 10/22/2010. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE TIRES WERE ROTATED ON 01/26/11 IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 03/18/11 FOR FRONT END N…

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I HAD PURCHASED A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN JULY, 2010. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT REPAIR OF THE FRONT END VIBRATION WAS ON 10/22/2010. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE TIRES WERE ROTATED ON 01/26/11 IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 03/18/11 FOR FRONT END NOISE (THUMP) WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 07/07/11 FOR THE THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 07/28/11 FOR A FRONT END THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 08/16/11 FOR A FRONT END THUMPING NOISE AND THE DEALERSHIP NOTICES THE TIRES WERE WEARING SLIGHTLY CUPPED ON THE INSIDE EDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 09/08/11 FOR A WHINING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 04/09/12 FOR FRONT END THUMPING NOISE, WHEEL BEARING, TRANSMISSION SURGE, AND WHINE NOISE FROM RADIO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 06/27/12 FOR ROUGH IDLE, TIRE REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 07/27/12 FOR ROUGH IDLE, TRANSMISSION SURGE, THUMP NOISE IN FRONT END AND WHINE NOISE IN RADIO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON 10/05/12 FOR TRANSMISSION SURGE, ROUGH IDLE, THUMP NOISE IN FRONT END, AND WHINE NOISE IN RADIO. THE OUTCOME AT THIS POINT IS THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE, GM APPROVED REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES, A REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WHEEL BEARING ON DRIVER FRONT SIDE. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE DONE TWO THROTTLE BODY CLEANINGS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THEY WILL REPLACE THE ROTORS BUT GM WOULD NOT APPROVE REPLACEMENT ONLY TURNING ON THE ROTORS. THIS CASE HAS BEEN OPENED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WHOM ADVISED ME TO CONTACT NHTSA. GM REFUSES TO REPLACE PARTS BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM CANNOT TELL THEM WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. GM HAS RECALLED THE POLICE VEHICLES FOR FRONT END SUSPENSION AND HAS A LAWSUIT PENDING IN MICHIGAN FOR PERSONAL VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478797

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.