Chevrolet Impala Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 3,429 complaints about electrical system problems with the Chevrolet Impala — 33% of all Impala complaints. The worst model years are 2004 (681), 2005 (331) and 2002 (305). Problems typically start around 79,000 miles. 3 related recalls have been issued.

3,429complaints
2004worst year
79ktypical miles
3related recalls
84crashes
109fires

Electrical complaints by model year

’95’96’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’206111872253052646813311241282212241329558522219630151193
Electrical complaints per model year, Chevrolet Impala.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2020320%—
2019932%36,000 miles
20181119%53,000 miles
20171513%48,000 miles
20163027%48,000 miles
20159632%60,000 miles
201422135%66,000 miles
20135219%60,000 miles
20125822%55,000 miles
20119519%78,000 miles
201013230%78,000 miles
200922427%83,000 miles
200822127%85,000 miles
200712820%84,000 miles
200612424%85,000 miles
200533154%80,000 miles
200468163%69,000 miles
200326438%98,000 miles
200230538%82,000 miles
200122530%100,000 miles
200018723%98,000 miles
19961113%93,000 miles
1995614%—

Which parts fail

  • Instrument cluster/panel
    363
  • Ignition
    89
  • Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
    61
  • Ignition › Switch
    53
  • Wiring
    22
  • Horn
    21
  • Wiring › Interior/under dash
    17
  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    16

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1787%
  • 25k–50k
    39416%
  • 50k–75k
    59224%
  • 75k–100k
    51321%
  • 100k–150k
    56523%
  • 150k+
    25510%

What owners report

The air conditioner tube was off inside the vehicle and caused massive leaking in the carpets. Causing mold to grow excessively under the floor mats, in the carpets, under the seats, etc. Which as a result led to electrical issues. It's being looked into by a senior member at GM for months now, nothing is being done. Radley Chevy in Fredricksburg Virginia hasn't done anything for us either. My family is now having respiratory issues due to the mold issue.

2020 Impala · Jan 2021

I purchased this vehicle in a CHEVY DEALERSHIP in palatine, IL. [redacted]. 50k miles a chevy impala around 38k total with taxes and all. A month later I had to pay 200 for a diagnostic at the dealership to check an issue with the steering. They said nothing was wrong with it and it was just the floor mat making contact in the floor. When I returned home, I had the same issue occur AGAIN. I retook it and they wanted another 200 dollars. I complained to the seller of this vehicle, and he agreed to waive these 200 dollars. When it was rechecked, it was found out that it actually had to replace the wheel barring's on the front. It was around a 2,000$ job I have the receipts, and I actually didn't pay for anything at the time due to warranty. I also have been up to date with transmission oil, engine oil, fuel injectors, etc to keep the car running smooth. …

2020 Impala · Mar 2025

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.

2019 Impala · 129,000 miles · Jun 2023

Passenger side Blind Spot monitoring light consistently stays on even when no cars are next to me. Dangerous specially on the freeway. Took it to dealership said it wasnt covered. Notice the samething happening to alot of the Impala online. Please help.

2019 Impala · Jun 2023

As I was driving home from my place of employment which is exactly 30 miles from where I live my Steering Assist went out and it was very hard to steer and to even stay in the lane which I was driving I managed to get the car home and did an under carriage inspection and there was no damage still kind of shaken from the power steering going out I checked for the power steering pump and the power steering fluid reserve but found out through my owner's manual that I have electronic power steering I took the car by my local Chevrolet dealer and was told it was nothing they could do because they knew nothing about how to repair such a problem the only warning lamp that I received was a message that said power steering service drive with care

2018 Impala · Apr 2023

While driving from work the car did a quick jerk and the STABILITRAK, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON ALL AT ONCE. As I pulled into my workplace the car lost power to the engine completely while displaying ACTION REQUIRED ON THE LCD SCREEN. The brake and steering wheel became stiff and it was hard to control the vehicle. It took 10 minutes for me to regain power and control over the vehicle that again after leaving work stopped on the highway.

2018 Impala · Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she noticed that the A/C feature was not functioning properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed a leakage coming from the A/C evaporator and the compressor. The contact stated that the instrument panel needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel while turning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was contacted and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

2017 Impala · 84,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the interstate, the hazard light was activated and the trunk spontaneously opened. The contact was unable to securely latch the trunk and used a net to secure it. While continuing the drive, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where a diagnostic test determined there was a failure with the body control module(BCM), and a malfunction with the trunk latch assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,890.

2017 Impala · Body control module/BCM · 67,000 miles · Mar 2024

Related recalls (3)

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 14V-614 · Oct 1, 2014 · 106,307 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-400 · Jul 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles

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 9, 2014.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-355 · Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles

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.

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Impala years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (681), 2005 (331), 2002 (305), 2003 (264) and 2001 (225) model years. Electrical complaints make up 63% of all complaints for the 2004.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?

Yes — 3 recalls, including 14V-614 (electrical system, Oct 1, 2014); 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014); 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (363 mentions), followed by the ignition (89).

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.