Chevrolet Impala Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 447 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Impala across 19 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (63). The words owners use most often: “brake rotors” (11% of reports).
- 447service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $780typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%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.
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 47 of 447 complaints (11%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 46 of 447 complaints (10%)
- Brakes applied: mentioned in 28 of 447 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Chevrolet Impala at $780, and half of them between $620 and $1,200.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2012), 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 service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 316 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 447 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 14 an injury.
Chevrolet Impala service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Impala | 1 | 2% | 122,690 |
| 2015 Impala | 1 | 0% | 467 |
| 2014 Impala | 7 | 1% | 34,950 |
| 2013 Impala | 2 | 1% | 71,782 |
| 2012 Impala | 2 | 1% | 39,537 |
| 2011 Impala | 4 | 1% | 31,112 |
| 2010 Impala | 8 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2009 Impala | 35 | 4% | 19,408 |
| 2008 Impala | 22 | 3% | 24,900 |
| 2007 Impala | 33 | 5% | 13,838 |
| 2006 Impala | 19 | 4% | 26,525 |
| 2005 Impala | 30 | 5% | 27,647 |
| 2004 Impala | 51 | 5% | 46,500 |
| 2003 Impala | 54 | 8% | 23,000 |
| 2002 Impala | 63 | 8% | 39,242 |
| 2001 Impala | 56 | 8% | 42,000 |
| 2000 Impala | 44 | 5% | 49,000 |
| 1996 Impala | 7 | 8% | — |
| 1995 Impala | 8 | 18% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: 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 brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2004
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle.
Risk: Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel, reduced braking and noise from the affected wheel, or severing of a brake hose, increased brake pedal travel, and reduced steering control. Reduced braking or steering control could cause a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac 1-800-620-7668.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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 owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control, ABS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic however, a diagnostic test could…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the brake line was rusted and leaking brake fluid. The mechanic contacted an unknown…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND SERVICE STABILITRAK INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, ALL OF…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering lost power without warning. The failure recurred several times. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not provided. The failure mileage was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Impalas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 447 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Impala?
Owners report a typical cost of $780 (half paid between $620 and $1,200), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Impala?
The most frequent phrase is “brake rotors”, in 47 of 447 complaints, followed by “traction control” (46).
Other Chevrolet Impala problems
- Electrical System problems (3,429)
- Engine problems (1,263)
- Steering problems (1,198)
- Air Bags problems (955)
- Power Train problems (928)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (763)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (673)
- Exterior Lighting problems (669)
See all Chevrolet Impala problems.