Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving and turning into a shopping center, there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence and inspected by an independent mechanic, who discovered that the spark plugs were bent, and that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 105,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood. The contact turned the vehicle off and allowed it to cool down. After, approximately 5 to 10 minutes, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact noticed that the engine warning indicator was illuminated and the vehicle was leaking coolant and oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold gaskets failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 200,000.
In December my car while driving, I experienced reduced engine power the speed immediately dropped without warning and the car cut off. I was stuck in the middle of highway traffic praying that we would not be hit when everyone is doing 70 MPH. When the reduced power light comes on the engine light comes on along with the traction light. I took the car to the dealership to only be told that they are not 100% sure what the problem is, but I can start by replacing the PCM module and that May or May not fix the problem. I have a problem with a Chevy dealership not knowing what is wrong with they cars. Especially a car that is having this problem with so many of its car across the nation. This is a huge safety issue. …
I recently purchased a 2007 Chevy Impala, 3 weeks after purchase while on the highway, the car suddenly slowed down to a crawl, a reduced engine light came on the dash, being as we were on the highway to suddenly only being able to go 20mph was very frightening!! I was able to get the car to the side and had to have it towed home. After searching this issue online I found thousands of complaints from people with the same issue with this same car. I find it strange there was not a recall for this due to it being a serious safety issue. After calling a Chevy dealer, they told me all they could do is hook it up for diagnostic tests but it would cost 175.00 just to do that. This vehicle is still parked and we are unable to drive it and still have no idea what's wrong with it. …
Had issues with my 2007 Impala 3.9l stalling and reducing power on my wife, and at times almost leaving her in or on the road. I have replaced the throttle body, throttle peddle ( twice ) and had the car flashed at the local GM dealer. Now the car not only reads reduced engine power it read starting disabled service throttle and died while she was driving down a busy highway during rush hour.. Causing her to almost be involved in a bad wreck. This seriously needs to have attention of whoever at GM is over safety, cause this issue will end up in a really bad situation if or when someone ends up seriously hurt or killed. I mean you really need to program them to slowly reduce power, not just tell you then shut off completely and have the driver fight and panic to get off the road through traffic, while not getting run over in the process. But if there is a fix we need to know.
I was driving my 2007 Chevy Impala in my neighborhood at 25 MPH, and when I was getting ready to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle started to shake badly with the code "engine losing power." luckily, I was able to pull over and turn the car off. Being 68 years old, I got extremely scared. I turned the car off and tried calling 2 of my children to help me. Not being able to get either one of them. I turned the car back on, and proceeded back home which was only about a half mile from my house. I called the previous owner, and she stated that had happened to her about 6 months prior. Now I am terrified to take it out on the main highway. The car only has 70,000 miles on it and had been garaged kept. Someone please help me regarding why this might have happened. Thank you very much.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 50 MPH on an overpass, a truck swiped the side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle stalled and the contact lost control. The vehicle crashed into a guardrail and rolled over five times. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder, bruised ribs, head trauma and numbness in the lower back. In addition, the contact sustained torn ligaments in the neck, left shoulder, and the left arm that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,999.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact stated that the traction control warning indicator illuminated intermittently when making turns. On another occasion, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and the passenger from the other vehicle sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated that the traction control failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Reduced engine power/ traction control warning/ gas line fuel leak. This car flashed a reduced engine power message while I was going 65 MPH straight away on busy city (in houston) freeway and the traction control warning light came on. My car then immediately reduced speed and would not go beyond 40 MPH. I was told that the gas line fuel leak has nothing to do with it but it seems very coincidental that this all happened in the same day. GM is putting out a lot of trashy vehicles right now and this should definitely be a recall; especially when there are numerous valid complaints of the same issue. I'll never by GM/Chevy again. I am going back to an imported brand
Engine complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Chevrolet Impala, 17% of the model year's 627 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Impala engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Impala engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.