YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Impala Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 137 Electrical System complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, 31% of all 440 complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 80,000. A related recall (14V355000) covers ignition key/airbag issues, though owners also report stalling, fires, and total power loss unrelated to the recall's fix.

Electrical System complaints
137
31% of 441
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
80,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles suddenly lose steering and brake assist while driving, sometimes leading to a crash and airbags failing to deploy.
  • The ignition key slips out or the key cylinder rotates on its own while driving, causing the engine to stall and power to shut off.
  • Owners report the key becoming stuck in the ignition and unable to turn to the off position, forcing them to disconnect the battery.
  • Fires have started near the dashboard, radio, or HVAC actuator area, in some cases while the vehicle was parked and unattended.
  • Airbag warning lights illuminate or the passenger airbag deactivates unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by gauges dropping to zero.
  • Worn wiring in the shifter assembly has been diagnosed as the cause of ignition/key removal failures.

When 2010 Chevrolet Impala electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 21, 2010, latest Feb 6, 2026.

2010 Chevrolet Impala electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter302010 Q22014 Q12015 Q22016 Q32018 Q12019 Q32020 Q42024 Q2
137 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2026 Q1; peak 2014 Q3 (30).

Electrical System recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala

  1. 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.

Electrical System complaints by Impala model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005369 (61%)
  2. 2006131 (25%)
  3. 2007136 (22%)
  4. 2008226 (28%)
  5. 2009231 (28%)
  6. 2010137 (31%)
  7. 201199 (20%)
  8. 201264 (25%)
  9. 201356 (21%)
  10. 2014253 (40%)
  11. 2015112 (37%)
  12. 201635 (32%)
  13. 201720 (17%)
  14. 201814 (24%)
  15. 201910 (36%)
  16. 20204 (27%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2010 Chevrolet Impala have?
NHTSA lists 137 Electrical System complaints for the 2010 Impala, which is 31% of the 440 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
Yes, recall 14V355000 addresses an ignition key/airbag defect. GM's remedy involves installing key rings, an insert, or a cover on the key head; it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
At what mileage do electrical failures typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2010 Impala is 80,000 miles.
Do electrical issues on the 2010 Impala involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA data for this model year's Electrical System complaints includes 6 crashes, 3 fires, and 6 injuries.
How does 2010 compare to other Impala years for electrical complaints?
The 2010 Impala's 137 electrical complaints and 31% share are higher than 2011 (99, 20%), 2012 (64, 25%), and 2013 (56, 21%), but lower in count than 2014's 253 complaints (40% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.