Chevrolet Impala 2014–2020

10th generation · GM Epsilon II LWB (GMX352) · 1,924 complaints, 1,284 with mileage

When failures happen

What fails, and when

By model year

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 57,917 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The electrical system accounts for 20.0% of complaints (385 reports, 261 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 89,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 11.6% of complaints (223 reports, 160 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 89,866 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.3% of complaints (217 reports, 123 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,600 and 77,000 miles.

Electronic stability control (esc) accounts for 7.1% of complaints (136 reports, 124 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,997 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,382 and 90,000 miles.

The brakes account for 6.7% of complaints (128 reports, 93 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,600 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,000 and 75,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 6.5% of complaints (126 reports, 89 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,835 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 89,000 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2014 model year drew the most — 1,019 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 26. The median year sits at 138.

That makes 2014 an outlier: roughly 7.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the parking brake (3), the airbag system (2), the electrical system (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 1,924 complaints filed against this generation, 82 reported a crash; 40 reported a fire; 60 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.3% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 32,000 and 85,000 miles, with a median of 57,917. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the electrical system and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 60,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

Recalls (13)

What owners reported

Other generations

• Chevrolet Impala 1994–1996
• Chevrolet Impala 2000–2005
• Chevrolet Impala 2006–2013