2018 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (9) · Steering (6) · Service Brakes (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Impala model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2018-08-30 · campaign 18V576000 · 210,628 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Service bulletins (882)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-04 · PIT6247B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for police and special service vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 882 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-26 · Power Train“the transmission failed, shifting is no longer smooth. it hesitates and shakes the entire car, and the car slows down to almost a crawl uphill. i understand this is an issue with chevrolet impalas. so now i have an $8200 bill for a problem i was never told about, and that gm knew that it existed. so, yes, the issue has been identified, reproduce…”
2026-03-30 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that while the a/c was activated during the summer of 2025, the a/c failed to function as intended. the contact stated that hot air was blowing through the vents. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with an evap l…”
2026-02-08 · Steering“i was driving and parked the car at the store. after checking out i went to the car got ready to leave and started backing out and the car would not turn to the left at all. i took it to the shop and was told they do not see anything wrong with my car but a steering message is coming up. …”
2025-09-16 · Seats“passenger side front seat. when occupied, airbag sensor located inside the seat is malfunctioning. my husbands safety is at risk when he's in the car. he tries moving the seat up, back, etc. sometimes works and the airbag sensor works. we are fearing that if there were any accident or need, that his life would be in danger if the airbag didn't depl…”
2025-08-07 · Air Bags · 116,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that recently, the driver’s side air bag deployed while the vehicle was parked and unattended overnight. prior to the failure, the air bag warning light had illuminated while driving. the local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was n…”
2025-08-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 122,690 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet impala. the contact stated while reversing slowly, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and continued rolling backwards. the contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. the contact stopped and shifted to drive(d), and with…”
2025-02-24 · Power Train · 128,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. additionally, the contact stated that while in reve…”
2025-01-29 · Steering:electric Power Assist System · 26,473 mi“the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that while attempting to straighten the wheels while in the driveway, the contact discovered that the steering wheel was inoperable. no warning light was illuminated. the contact stated that a dealer was contacted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was in…”
2024-11-16 · Power Train“i was sold a used car w/ undisclosed accidents. had many issues within first few weeks. had transmission cooler lines replaced after they burst. radiator, compressor, condenser, and much more. then the airbag light came on. dealership said connectors were bad. fixed it. light came on again.took it in to dealership. they had it for over two weeks. …”
2024-10-01 · Power Train“since vehicle purchase in 2018 there is a shifting problem with the transmission. i have paid for shifter repairs and still the problem exist. while driving the car gets stuck in gear and hard to accelerate. the issue happens at various times without warning. there has been two instances that could have led to potential accidents. upon spraking wi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.