CHEVROLET IMPALA · model year

2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA

737 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010CHEVROLETIMPALA carries 737 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 5 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 IMPALA is electrical system with 126 filings, followed by air bags (100) and engine (88). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2010 IMPALA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

737
Complaints
30
Crashes
5
Fires
23
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

737 filings

Crashes Reported

30 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM126
AIR BAGS100
ENGINE88
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)74
POWER TRAIN62
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL46
STEERING41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM21
SERVICE BRAKES21
SUSPENSION16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
SEAT BELTS16
SEATS9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6

Recalls (4)

14V35500023/06/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 certai

10V48000013/10/2010

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED

16V50700005/07/2016

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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.

12V37700003/08/2012

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Recent Complaints

20260206AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check air bag and service air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

20260206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check air bag and service air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

20251008STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The unibody of this vehicle has become completely rusted/rotted to where the car is undriveable. This has been inspected by a service center, and I was told it is dangerous and beyond repair. I am sick about this, as there are MANY other makes of vehicles older than mine that do not have this issue.

20250925CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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 rotors brake pads wheel bearings and on the back both brake pads plus new tires and it's still not fixed the ABS traction and stability lights are on i could of caused a wreck I only drive it to the store with the money I had paid for the car putting it in a shop I shouldn't of had to do they sold me a dangerous car

20250925CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 rotors brake pads wheel bearings and on the back both brake pads plus new tires and it's still not fixed the ABS traction and stability lights are on i could of caused a wreck I only drive it to the store with the money I had paid for the car putting it in a shop I shouldn't of had to do they sold me a dangerous car

20250618FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and unattended in a parking lot. After about ten minutes, the contact was unlocking the vehicle and noticed fire inside the vehicle near the front of the vehicle near the radio and heater. The contact used a water bottle from the back seat to attempt to extinguish the fire. The fire was extinguished by a bystander using a fire extinguisher. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries. There was no police report filed, airbag deployment, or crash involved. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Mileage: 188,000

20241018VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it displayed was "engine power reduced." I put my car into reverse, having no choice but to drive it and the traction control went out. My father in law pulled the code and it said something about the accelerator sensor. This is a known issue and recall in other models and I wanted to report it is also happening in my model.

20241018UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it displayed was "engine power reduced." I put my car into reverse, having no choice but to drive it and the traction control went out. My father in law pulled the code and it said something about the accelerator sensor. This is a known issue and recall in other models and I wanted to report it is also happening in my model.

20241018ENGINE

I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it displayed was "engine power reduced." I put my car into reverse, having no choice but to drive it and the traction control went out. My father in law pulled the code and it said something about the accelerator sensor. This is a known issue and recall in other models and I wanted to report it is also happening in my model.

20240604ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound while starting and while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the grinding sound persisted after turning off the vehicle on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown actuators located behind the dashboard were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

20230810AIR BAGS

recall # 36110. our car is having the same issues that are indicated with this recall but GM refuses to include our vehicle in this recall. Front passenger seat sensor is shorting out against the seat frame which is turning vital passenger airbags off. Unsure when this actually started as my daughter drives this car to work and didnt notice when it first appeared.

20230810SEATS

recall # 36110. our car is having the same issues that are indicated with this recall but GM refuses to include our vehicle in this recall. Front passenger seat sensor is shorting out against the seat frame which is turning vital passenger airbags off. Unsure when this actually started as my daughter drives this car to work and didnt notice when it first appeared.

20230306AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

20221018AIR BAGS

About a week ago I got in my car and started driving. as I started going down the road the passengers side alarm for the seatbelt kept going off and I noticed the passenger side airbag had turned on as well. I was in my car alone and had nothing sitting in the passengers seat nor a passenger in my car. That was the first time it lasted my whole drive to work (about 13 miles) but made me think of past times my vehicle had done that as well A few weeks before that the same thing happened and I had to connect the seatbelt to make it stop. I didn’t think much of it at first and thought it was a one-off kinda thing till it became a pattern of sorts. This morning I started my car and the dash kept telling me to “service airbags” I just bought my vehicle from national auto sales in Spokane Washington the previous February of this year (2022) and only drive to work (13 miles) and back for the most part. Seeing the “service airbag” light on in my car was concerning because I don’t

20221018SEATS

About a week ago I got in my car and started driving. as I started going down the road the passengers side alarm for the seatbelt kept going off and I noticed the passenger side airbag had turned on as well. I was in my car alone and had nothing sitting in the passengers seat nor a passenger in my car. That was the first time it lasted my whole drive to work (about 13 miles) but made me think of past times my vehicle had done that as well A few weeks before that the same thing happened and I had to connect the seatbelt to make it stop. I didn’t think much of it at first and thought it was a one-off kinda thing till it became a pattern of sorts. This morning I started my car and the dash kept telling me to “service airbags” I just bought my vehicle from national auto sales in Spokane Washington the previous February of this year (2022) and only drive to work (13 miles) and back for the most part. Seeing the “service airbag” light on in my car was concerning because I don’t

20221018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

About a week ago I got in my car and started driving. as I started going down the road the passengers side alarm for the seatbelt kept going off and I noticed the passenger side airbag had turned on as well. I was in my car alone and had nothing sitting in the passengers seat nor a passenger in my car. That was the first time it lasted my whole drive to work (about 13 miles) but made me think of past times my vehicle had done that as well A few weeks before that the same thing happened and I had to connect the seatbelt to make it stop. I didn’t think much of it at first and thought it was a one-off kinda thing till it became a pattern of sorts. This morning I started my car and the dash kept telling me to “service airbags” I just bought my vehicle from national auto sales in Spokane Washington the previous February of this year (2022) and only drive to work (13 miles) and back for the most part. Seeing the “service airbag” light on in my car was concerning because I don’t

20220831ENGINE

My Engine is shaking back-and-forth and it’s a new engine not new jd byrider replaced last month and I got the same problem again today

20220831SERVICE BRAKES

My Engine is shaking back-and-forth and it’s a new engine not new jd byrider replaced last month and I got the same problem again today

20220831FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My Engine is shaking back-and-forth and it’s a new engine not new jd byrider replaced last month and I got the same problem again today

20220310ENGINE

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front-end of the vehicle would lower and the front end was unstable. In addition, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was also consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine fan had failed and the transmission was faulty. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

Compare 2010CHEVROLETIMPALA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
The 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 737 NHTSA complaints, 30 crashes, 5 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Yes, the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The most-complained component for the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 126 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.