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 2010 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted by phone however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,074.
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.
there is a known issue with the shift lock release. the cable will fail in many 2006-2013 impala's. the vehicle will not get out of park. another well known issue is the blend door actuator. it is a noise that comes from the dash/heating/cooling due to chevy using cheap plastic parts.
Service stabilitrak message displayed and reduced engine power to 0 mph while driving. Throttle body, Accelerator pedal position sensor (whole pedal assembly), and ecm replaced. Issue continues. P2138, P2122, P2127 codes present. Stonebriar chevrolet incompetent to resolve.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the 'service air bags' warning light illuminated. The contact stated researched failure on-line and found NHTSA campaign number: 16V507000 (air bags, electrical system), however was unaware if recall was serviced on the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA recall campaign number: 16V507000 (electrical system). The contact also indicated that the rear defroster had failed and burnt the electrical wires. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 40 MPH, the power shut off and the power steering and brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree and mailbox. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest injuries, but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The contact received the notice after the crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the ignition key released from the ignition switch and the vehicle stalled causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front wheel was jammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
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 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 132 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, 30% of the model year's 442 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 6 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.