Chevrolet Impala Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 3,429 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Chevrolet Impala across 23 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (681). The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (8% of reports).
- 3,429electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 84mention a crash
- 53mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $770typical repair cost reported by owners
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 275 of 3,429 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Chevrolet Impala at $770, and half of them between $640 and $1,050.
Based on 189 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2020), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 2,503 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 3,429 complaints, 84 mention a crash, 109 a fire, 53 an injury.
Chevrolet Impala electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Impala | 3 | 20% | — |
| 2019 Impala | 9 | 32% | 35,700 |
| 2018 Impala | 11 | 19% | 51,300 |
| 2017 Impala | 15 | 13% | 42,000 |
| 2016 Impala | 30 | 27% | 45,691 |
| 2015 Impala | 96 | 32% | 59,523 |
| 2014 Impala | 221 | 35% | 66,000 |
| 2013 Impala | 52 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2012 Impala | 58 | 22% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Impala | 95 | 19% | 78,000 |
| 2010 Impala | 132 | 30% | 78,000 |
| 2009 Impala | 224 | 27% | 82,559 |
| 2008 Impala | 221 | 27% | 85,000 |
| 2007 Impala | 128 | 20% | 84,200 |
| 2006 Impala | 124 | 24% | 85,000 |
| 2005 Impala | 331 | 54% | 80,000 |
| 2004 Impala | 681 | 63% | 68,750 |
| 2003 Impala | 264 | 38% | 98,740 |
| 2002 Impala | 305 | 38% | 82,162 |
| 2001 Impala | 225 | 30% | 100,000 |
| 2000 Impala | 187 | 23% | 98,000 |
| 1996 Impala | 11 | 13% | 92,500 |
| 1995 Impala | 6 | 14% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMÂs number for this recall is 14515.
Electrical system:ignition
Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Problem: 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) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Electrical system:ignition
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights; electrical system
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stabili-Trak warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering to become extremely firm. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 182,412. It was later discovered upon checking the Title that the mileage was…
I have always kept my Impala in my garage until recently I started keeping my grandson a few days a week. When I am at that home my car is parked in a driveway open to the elements. About a month after starting I notice that my car started having what I would describe as an electronic issue. The…
I brought my vehicle into Chevrolet due to my vehicle locking down and thinking the vehicle is being stolen. They told me that the side module malfunctions due to rain and weather conditions. He then says the part is on back order for possibly 12 months or greater! I drive for my job and blinkers…
I believe the passenger seat occupant sensing and airbag issues from recall 16V507 have not been fixed. I am still having issues related to it, even though I had it fixed.

Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Impalas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 3,429 owner complaints about electrical system for the Chevrolet Impala. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Impala electrical system?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Chevrolet Impala?
Owners report a typical cost of $770 (half paid between $640 and $1,050), from 189 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Chevrolet Impala?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 275 of 3,429 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Impala problems
- Engine problems (1,263)
- Steering problems (1,197)
- Air Bags problems (955)
- Power Train problems (928)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (763)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (673)
- Exterior Lighting problems (669)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (646)
See all Chevrolet Impala problems.