Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 11% | 129,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 14% | 53,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% | 33,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2015 | 26 | 9% | 54,000 miles |
| 2014 | 91 | 14% | 55,000 miles |
| 2013 | 53 | 19% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 33 | 13% | 52,000 miles |
| 2011 | 39 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 30 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 75 | 9% | 49,000 miles |
| 2008 | 40 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 59 | 9% | 22,000 miles |
| 2006 | 35 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2005 | 49 | 8% | 46,000 miles |
| 2004 | 89 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 76 | 11% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 74 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 70 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2000 | 56 | 7% | 82,000 miles |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% | — |
| 1995 | 8 | 18% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while turning left, the vehicle skidded before completing the turn. The contact also stated that there was a hole in the muffler. Additionally, the sway bar was fractured on the driver's side. The bushing, actuator brake, and rotors were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The VIN was not available.
Check engine light recently came on, car completely lost power and turned off during as I turned right at a light, had OnStar run diagnostics, code involved the emissions system, was advised to fill up with high quality fuel, and drive with the gas cap off to correct it. I was traveling on a familiar highway at night, cruise control set at 60 MPH, further down the highway I see deer running across the highway, they are common in this area, I tapped my brakes to slow down for them to cross and immediately the check engine, antilock brakes, power steering, stability track and battery saver indicators illuminated on the dash and the car wouldn't brake as it should resulting in an accident that I had more than enough time to prevent and could have easily avoided if the brakes would have performed normally. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while reversing slowly, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and continued rolling backwards. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stopped and shifted to drive(D), and with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started to roll forward. The contact was not able to stop the vehicle. The contact steered the vehicle to the right to avoid crashing into the building. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a signpost, preventing the vehicle from driving into the restaurant. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving very slowly during the failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. …
In February 2019 I purchased a 2018 Chevy Impala premier, upon driving the car I noticed that the brakes were not working like my 2018 Chevy camaro but I chucked it up to the car being heavier and paid it no attention. For months I have been thinking that maybe I just need to get used to the brakes on my new car and that it was nothing. While I drive at normal speeds (40 - 45 MPH) my car slid an extra 5- 10 ft more then it is supposed to every time. Yesterday while braking my brakes just totally did not respond causing me to hit the back of another driver. I was driving about 30 MPH literally just turning out of a shopping plaza when the accident happened. I started to press the brakes about 50 meters ahead and my car did not budge nor did it begin to stop it continued to drive at the same speed until I prompted to turn and braced for the collision. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and attempting to avoid an accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained left wrist, left shoulder, and neck injuries. No medical treatment was provided. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. In addition, the contact indicated that the braking system was faulty and previously had experienced extended stopping distances and grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when pressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 56,000.
I parked my car at work and worked a full day Saturday the 13th of November. I go out to start my vehicle and 3 warnings appear all at once. Stabilitrak, ABS, and power steering. Reading online I'm not the only one but with only 109,xxx miles it's kind of BS that there's obviously an engineering flaw with these vehicles and I probably will give a few car payments worth to get this fixed. I've owned this vehicle since 17,xxx miles
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taking to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that unknown sensors needed to be reprogrammed and the codes were cleared. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the warning lights illuminated again, and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not taken back to the independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic tests or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V541000 (PARKING BRAKE); and the contact related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was 162,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, both rear wheels seized and experienced a blowout. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V541000 (Parking Brake) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Parking brake
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured March 22, 2013, to May 22, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2015.
Parking brake
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 15, 2012, to May 30, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2015.
Parking brake
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint May not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle.
Remedy: Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on June 28, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac 1-800-620-7668.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Impala years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (91), 2004 (89), 2003 (76), 2009 (75) and 2002 (74) model years. Brake complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Impala brake problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 18V-576 (caliper, Aug 30, 2018); 15V-202 (parking brake, Apr 6, 2015); 15V-085 (parking brake, Feb 11, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Impala brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (103 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (63).
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.