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 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 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.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle where he returned home and parked it. The contact called the dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle.The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The car can have moments of power loss where the speedometer suddenly, erratically spikes while the tachometer slightly lags. It almost stalled my vehicle while transmission was in drive while stopped. It feels like dragging when the power loss occurs. This has occurred randomly for the past month, mostly during interstate driving with cruise control operating. It has happened the last six times I have driven, but the previous several times it did not occur. It also occurred in a similar random fashion for the prior two weeks. When it does occur it feels like power drain and deceleration that can last a second and this will occur several times during a twenty minute drive at 70mph. Mechanics at two shops seem confused and don't know where to begin except for a transmission fluid flush. That was completed and the problem has persisted. There are no related error codes. …
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.
To whom it May concern: I am writing this letter on behalf of my parents for the great abuse that has been done to them. About 3 years ago they were really excited because for the first time in there life after living here for close to 40 years they would have bought a car from a dealership! A fairly new car, first car from a local agency in madera. The name of the dealer: madera Chrysler Jeep Dodge. They sold my parents a defective from the beginning. They knew about the recalls since 10/13/2010 and 05/25/2010 this was before they even purchased the car 11/26/2011. They are doing unlawful sales to vulnerable poor customers and are not in compliance. According to general motors it is and was completely the car dealerships responsibility to fix these recalls (please see attached list of recalls). Their solution is to well purchase a new car from them. …
When I first purchase my car from a used car dealer which is Smart auto dealer, 2 weeks later my vehicle will start to have issues while my vehicle is in motion on the service streets. Whenever I am making a left turn my alert alarm will light up on dash stating service brake assist , service stabilitrak , service traction control and ABS light, this will go on & off, but now it stays on constantly. While turning left, there will be a grinding noise, car tends to reduce its power, like its hard for me to take off and my vehicle will kick so hard, like something is locking. Also another issue is while parked on a slanted carport, my vehicle will not go into reverse gear. I feel like my vehicle is going to break because, I have to force it to get into reverse gear, that the vehicle will make the loudest noise, like my axle is going to break on me. …
I was driving and my cars engine light came on 1st then the traction control light. When they came on it reduced power to my engine and quit on the interstate. I had looked up possible causes when I had a test ran it was showing throttle body I replaced it and it never fixed it upon research I have seen multiple people who owns impalas from the years 2009 and up having the same issues and feel it is something that needs to be looked into. What I have found idk yet I am waiting on the piece to see if this is the issue or not is the pedal sensor could be the cause. But I feel it can be unsafe because my car had quit on a busy interstate with cars traveling at the speed of 65mph and higher. Just when I was looking it up I had saw so many other people having the same issues with their impalas. Please look into it thank you .\
I live in memphis tn. I leased a vehicle from ifinance in nesbit, ms. After getting vehicle towed by them I called to inform them of leak and clunking noises coming from under vehicle.so, as im driving in my apartment complex with my kids I loose power of steering wheel and almost crash with a parked car. After stopping I inspect the vehicle I notice the motor and frame is partially loosened from car, also noticed a screw broke under frame which holds bottom carriage to car frame,it was laying under vehicle, after I stopped thus disabled steering ,it turns freely no wheel play, and I almost wrecked in apartment complex because motor came partially loosened. I cant drive the vehicle and now it has to be towed home and towed again to their lot to be repaired
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the reduced engine power warning lamp and the service stability traction control warning lamp illuminated. Each time the failure recurred, the speed decreased to less than 20 MPH and the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who replaced the throttle body position sensor. The manufacturer stated that the accelerator pedal position sensor was to be replaced in a special condition coverage customer satisfaction campaign. The failure did not recur from the dealer's repair which was over a year ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,700.
The transmission go out at any time while you're driving it'll just stopped in the middle of traffic which can cause an accident the company Chevrolet new that they put bad transmission in those cars and lights blink on and off. Electrical issue the speedometer and the gas meter in moves by itself when the car is off and when you are driving the car it'll move by itself displaying accurate information and that's very dangerous I was on the highway in the transmission just went out in cars almost ran into me I like to buy that day because of the transmission everybody I know with this car has the same issue something really needs to be done about it before someone dies
Transmission complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, 15% of the model year's 442 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 4 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 2010 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.