Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There is an electrical connector behind the right side, kick panel that overloads and chars the plastic housing. The connector is for the rear defroster grid, but it cannot handle the amperage that the grid carries. It overloads and is a fire hazard that can could start a fire in the passenger compartment. It is a very common problem on ninth generation Chevrolet Impalas, to the point there are multiple YouTube videos, offering shade tree repair advice that bypass the connector with a jumper wire. I'm including a link to one such a video. [redacted]
I started for the first time in early June of having reduced engine power. At this time I get several warrning lights on dashboard. I get engine power is reduced, traction control and engine light. The car goes into limp mode. I replaced the accelerator pedal position sensor after the first event. Since this time I had it happen 4 more times. This situation can be dangerous if a car is behind me and I slow up real quick due to going into limp mode. I try to pull over where I can when this happens. Once I pull over for 10 minutes the car will resume like normal driving with just the engine light on. The next day the engine light usually leaves. It is hard to know when this will occur but it can be a dangerous situation to be in.
The rear window defogger failed to operate and a burning smell was detected by passengers. It was discovered that an electrical connector that routes the power to the rear window defogger has a defective design and overheats and burns due to improperly sized connector pins in wiring harness connector located near the passenger kick panel. The problem is also documented in a number of sites on the internet including youtube where a video of the exact failure was found to be the identical failure as in our Impala. This is the website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfwbdzjqaru I have photographs of the failed/burned connector in my car but I don't see where I can submit them. Judging by the design problem, this same problem would be found in every Impala using this connector since the electrical contacts are not sized properly to carry the high current to the defogger. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while stopped, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed however, the body damage was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact also mentioned that the front and rear driver side, and the rear passenger windows failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, a vehicle veered into her lane as a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle as it spun around into a cement road block. The contact stated that when she turned the steering wheel an abnormal grinding noise was heard. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was relating the air bags not deploying to NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck and back soreness. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 60 MPH, a burning odor was present near the driver's seat area. In addition, the trunk was not opening, the rear right turn signal was not working due to a blown fuse, and the front speakers were not working properly. The failures recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled, began to smoke, and caught fire. The contact sustained smoke inhalation that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
I have had this problem and I know a lot of others are having it too. When I'm driving the car's check engine light will come on will randomly and code saying engine power reduced. My car's engine power will reduce and I will no longer be able to accelerate and the car slows down. This happens at random times: on the freeway, in town, at stop lights, going up hills, on flat ground, when I first turn my car on, after driving for 5 hours. There is no pattern. After I turn my car off for a couple minutes, the light turn off and my car runs OK again. It happen at least once a week, but sometimes 4 or 5 times week.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. On numerous occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer diagnosed that there was an electrical system failure and also the throttle body needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired on three separate occasions, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost forward momentum, but did not stall. Additionally, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the local auto zone checked the battery and alternator and determined that both were in proper working order. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,606.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 128 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Chevrolet Impala, 20% of the model year's 627 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 6 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.