2010 Chevrolet Impala: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 441 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 441 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The unibody of this vehicle has become completely rusted/rotted to where the car is undriveable. This has been inspected by a service center, and I was told it is dangerous and beyond repair. I am sick about this, as there are MANY other makes of vehicles older than mine that do not have this issue.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2025
“I bought a used car as is for $6700.00 and was told that the car was nothing wrong with it but within the first month 07/02/25 the car has been to 3 different shops and in the shop 5 different times all due to brake problems since I bought the car I have had to replace both front calipers and rotors brake pads wheel bearings and on the back both brake pads plus new tires and it's still not fixed the ABS traction and stability lights are on i could of caused a wreck I only drive it to the store with the money I had paid for the car putting it in a shop I shouldn't of had to do they sold me a dangerous car”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2025
“I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it displayed was "engine power reduced." I put my car into reverse, having no choice but to drive it and the traction control went out. My father in law pulled the code and it said something about the accelerator sensor. This is a known issue and recall in other models and I wanted to report it is also happening in my model.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check air bag and service air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound while starting and while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the grinding sound persisted after turning off the vehicle on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown actuators located behind the dashboard were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2023
“recall # 36110. our car is having the same issues that are indicated with this recall but GM refuses to include our vehicle in this recall. Front passenger seat sensor is shorting out against the seat frame which is turning vital passenger airbags off. Unsure when this actually started as my daughter drives this car to work and didnt notice when it first appeared.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“My Engine is shaking back-and-forth and it's a new engine not new jd byrider replaced last month and I got the same problem again today”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, she noticed the "Service Air bag System" warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the air bag seat sensor and side-impact sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed that contact that her VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 137,700.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle where he returned home and parked it. The contact called the dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle.The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2021
“there is a known issue with the shift lock release. the cable will fail in many 2006-2013 impala's. the vehicle will not get out of park. another well known issue is the blend door actuator. it is a noise that comes from the dash/heating/cooling due to chevy using cheap plastic parts.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impala by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
NHTSA has 441 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The most complained-about area is electrical system (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Impala problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,001 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Impala have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.