Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 18% | 104,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 19% | 98,000 miles |
| 2017 | 12 | 10% | 88,000 miles |
| 2016 | 16 | 14% | 64,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2014 | 39 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2013 | 33 | 12% | 48,000 miles |
| 2012 | 27 | 10% | 32,000 miles |
| 2011 | 64 | 13% | 71,000 miles |
| 2010 | 67 | 15% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 68 | 8% | 97,000 miles |
| 2008 | 91 | 11% | 81,000 miles |
| 2007 | 80 | 13% | 73,000 miles |
| 2006 | 108 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 52 | 9% | 88,000 miles |
| 2004 | 47 | 4% | 64,000 miles |
| 2003 | 30 | 4% | 86,000 miles |
| 2002 | 36 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 2001 | 57 | 8% | 45,000 miles |
| 2000 | 52 | 6% | 72,000 miles |
| 1996 | 11 | 13% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed; however, the transmission was already shifted to park(P). The vehicle was unable to turn off. The contact disconnected the battery to turn off the vehicle and reconnected the battery to restart the vehicle. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 104,170.
The vehicle was in motion when exiting the freeway the vehicle lost all power without warning. The vehicle turned off completely no power steering or electrical indications of problem shown on dashboard. After pulling over putting the vehicle in park, it turned back on without any problems. The vehicle has 35736 miles and this is the second occurrence. The first time I was pulling up to a stop light as I was waiting for the light to change the entire vehicle turned off, all power train and electrical as well.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and ascending a grade, the vehicle lost forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle revved but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she shifted the vehicle into reverse (R) and drove back down the hill. The contact stated that the transmission failure was intermittent at first but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated that at the first failure there were no warning lights; however, in the later failures the transmission overheated warning light would become illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure the transmission had begun to jerk and hesitate. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the catalytic converter and transmission oil cooler hose. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal sound and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter, however the gear shifter failed to shift as intended. The contact stated after several attempts, the gear shifter shifted as intended. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving out of a parking space, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver and she heard an abnormal clinking sound coming from the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the steering gear needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Impala years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (108), 2008 (91), 2007 (80), 2009 (68) and 2010 (67) model years. Transmission complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-092 (automatic transmission, Feb 21, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Impala transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (197 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (11).
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.