Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Last May I was driving my car from work going approximately 40 MPH a message came on the information screen. Something about going over 160mph. The car suddenly slowed, couldn't seem to find the proper gear. At the same time the speedometer was going up and down showing 60, 30, 80, 0. Then it cut off. I put the rolling car into neutral and started it. It fired up immediately. I put in gear and continued until it was safe to stop. Let engine cool off and drove home. The speedometer continued to fluctuate, it also cut off and flashed the message again. Called dealership next morning and took in. They came back with diagnosis of transmission failure, need to replace. I shelled out $4000 for the transmission, now it is slipping. I drove home today and that message flashed across my screen along with the transmission struggling to find the proper gear. The speedometer was moving up and down. …
This all started when the factory battery went dead so I went and purchased a new one about a week after I went out one morning to leave for work and it wouldn't start had to be jumped. So later on I checked for a drain on the battery and found out that the radio the interior lights and the display where causing a drain. So I had all three checked all tests fine so I purchased another battery and was good for about a week then all the sudden the radio died and all the auditable sounds stop working the next day went out to try to start the car and nothing happened only had headlights and interior lights wouldn't start. So I put it on a charger for a couple hours tried it again and it was completely dead like there was no battery in . Come to find out that the BCM ( body control module ) was shorted. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure caused the contact to crash the vehicle into a ravine. The air bag in the steering wheel was the only air bag that deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken neck, ribs, back, foot, and ankle. The passenger sustained a broken collar bone, ribs, and ankle. In addition, the passenger's liver and spleen were lacerated and both occupants required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that after the vehicle was placed into the park position and the ignition key was removed, the vehicle started independently and rolled away without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred as she was exiting the vehicle. The vehicle stopped independently. As a result, the contact sustained unknown injuries to the right leg that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V092000 (power train). The failure mileage was 100,000.
The vehicle was turned off, in park, with the parking brake on, in the driveway at an incline. The vehicle rolled backwards down the driveway, and hit the fence which brought it to a stop. There was damage to the driver side door and driver side rear of vehicle. The car was taken to dealer, and the event explained. The dealer made repair to door at my cost. The dealer made no attempt to determine the cause. I called again to service and spoke to someone, who stated that the parking brake is not supposed to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. No investigation was offered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the gear did not shift to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer at: royal Chevrolet, bridgewater nj, [phone], where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness corroded. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer in new jersey, where it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness corroded. The vehicle was repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was about 5,000.
My wife's 2007 Chevy Impala left her stranded on the side of a busy highway in a snowstorm. She was driving at highway speeds when all of a sudden, her overheat warning light began flashing, and what she described as "a huge cloud of fog or smoke" was trailing behind her. She immediately put on her hazards and pulled off to the side of the road. Once stopped, the digital readout showed "engine overheat, idle engine" and then the engine shut off. The vehicle is at a dealer awaiting diagnosis.
When driving it shifts hard from first gear to second gear mostly on a grade not to steep shifts so hard it chirps tires when it engages into second gear fluid is on correct level .it happens at a stop sign or light normal driving I do not drive fast or accelerate quickly. Im in process of getting it checked im not driving car too much right now because of this issue now 132.222 miles on car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to start the engine, the button on the gear shifter malfunctioned and the shifter could not be moved from the park position.the vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the gear shift button had two fractured wires. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Transmission complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Chevrolet Impala, 13% of the model year's 627 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.