2013 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Chevrolet Impala has a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Brakes account for 49% of its 272 complaints, but no do-not-drive recalls apply.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #11 of 16 Impala years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 272
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 18 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2013 Chevy Impala problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes132 (49%)
- Electrical System56 (21%)
- Engine47 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (16%)
- Steering34 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (12%)
- Other23 (8%)
- Airbags19 (7%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
- Structure & Body4 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes fail to slow the vehicle at low speeds despite the pedal being engaged, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including side impacts and rear-end collisions, sometimes resulting in injuries.
- Electronic stability control warning lights come on before a front wheel seizes during a turn.
- Engine loses oil and shuts down while driving, with owners reporting a thrown rod.
- Blend door actuators malfunction, fogging the windshield and cutting visibility while driving on the highway.
- Ignition can shift out of position when keys carry extra weight, tied to the airbag-related recall.
2013 Chevrolet Impala recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2013 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2013 compared with other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 Impala rates Good, ranking 11th worst of 16 model years with a complaint index of 33.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Impala?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 49% of the 272 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2013 Impala, covering the electrical system and ignition key weight issue that can affect airbag deployment; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2013 Impala compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 33 is lower than years like 2009 (100) and 2014 (80), which are rated Avoid, making 2013 one of the better years for this model.