2010 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Chevrolet Impala has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 441 complaints, 4 recalls, and its top problem area is the Electrical System at 31% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #7 of 16 Impala years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 441
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 18
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 18 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2010 Chevy Impala problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System137 (31%)
- Engine122 (28%)
- Brakes112 (25%)
- Airbags102 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain67 (15%)
- Steering42 (10%)
- Other27 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (6%)
- Fuel System17 (4%)
- Structure & Body17 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Ignition key can release from the switch while driving, cutting power and causing stalling.
- Loss of power steering and brakes happens suddenly at highway speed, sometimes after the vehicle stalls.
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end and guard rail impacts.
- Air conditioning actuator can overheat and catch fire, sending flames through the vents.
- Gear shifter can be left out of park without warning, allowing the vehicle to roll unattended.
2010 Chevrolet Impala recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V507000Jul 5, 2016Airbags289,254 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Risk: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
- NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles
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. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
- NHTSA 12V377000Aug 3, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires36,413 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
2010 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010 Impala scores a Complaint Index of 60 and carries a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the Impala.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
- NHTSA data shows the Electrical System is the top problem area with 137 complaints (31% share), followed by Engine issues at 122 complaints and Brakes at 112 complaints.
- Does the 2010 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Impala, covering Airbags, Electrical System, Suspension (police vehicles only), and Seat Belts.
- How does the 2010 Impala compare to other years?
- The 2010 model's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2014, which all carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than 2012, 2013, and later years, which are rated Good or Best.
- At what mileage do 2010 Impala problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across reported problems is 74,000 miles, with electrical and airbag issues showing a median of 80,000 miles.