Chevrolet Impala Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 458 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Impala across 20 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (83). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (28% of reports).
- 458service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 64mention a crash
- 32mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 29%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.
- Traction control: mentioned in 128 of 458 complaints (28%)
- Brake assist: mentioned in 35 of 458 complaints (8%)
- Grinding noise: mentioned in 27 of 458 complaints (6%)
- Engine power: mentioned in 27 of 458 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 368 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 458 complaints, 64 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 32 an injury.
Chevrolet Impala service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Impala | 3 | 11% | 107,000 |
| 2018 Impala | 7 | 12% | 47,439 |
| 2017 Impala | 4 | 3% | 28,290 |
| 2016 Impala | 8 | 7% | 65,500 |
| 2015 Impala | 23 | 8% | 52,000 |
| 2014 Impala | 83 | 13% | 57,500 |
| 2013 Impala | 51 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2012 Impala | 32 | 12% | 51,564 |
| 2011 Impala | 34 | 7% | 73,433 |
| 2010 Impala | 21 | 5% | 69,000 |
| 2009 Impala | 39 | 5% | 76,953 |
| 2008 Impala | 17 | 2% | 74,500 |
| 2007 Impala | 22 | 4% | 87,013 |
| 2006 Impala | 13 | 2% | 126,500 |
| 2005 Impala | 16 | 3% | 140,373 |
| 2004 Impala | 37 | 3% | 116,500 |
| 2003 Impala | 19 | 3% | 104,204 |
| 2002 Impala | 11 | 1% | 145,325 |
| 2001 Impala | 9 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2000 Impala | 9 | 1% | 121,255 |
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.
Car has turned off 3 times while sitting at a light and took hours to turn back on, car shudders when breaking sometimes and abs/traction control/air bag lights will come on, and will shudder and turn off while driving.
Jerking while picking up speed, key fob keep saying not detected, Radio feature work but stuck to basic screen I guess electrical problem Brakes is very rough not sure
I have a 2014 Impala limited I started having problems within 6 months after I bought the vehicle from Bergstrom Chevrolet in Wisconsin it was involving the ABS anti-lock stability track and traction control and the braking and steering we're all feeling and locking up while I was driving it…
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…
See attached document for complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Impalas have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 458 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Impala?
The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 128 of 458 complaints, followed by “brake assist” (35).
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.