YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#9 most-complained of 11 Impala years

The 2018 Chevrolet Impala ranks 9th out of 11 model years for reported problems, with a Complaint Index of 20 and a "Best" verdict. It has 59 complaints, 1 recall, and no fires, making it one of the stronger years for this model.

Complaints
59
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 28 hwy

Top 2018 Chevrolet Impala problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other16 (27%)
  2. Electrical System14 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain11 (19%)
  4. Brakes9 (15%)
  5. Engine9 (15%)
  6. Steering7 (12%)
  7. Airbags6 (10%)
  8. Structure & Body4 (7%)
  9. Fuel System3 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal collision with a deer at highway speed, despite vehicle damage severe enough to require towing.
  • Owners report brakes that feel like they are not stopping the car, leading to rear-end collisions at both low parking-lot speeds and highway speeds around 40-55 mph.
  • Some drivers describe a gradual loss of confidence in braking performance, noticing the pedal did not respond the same way as in other GM vehicles before a crash occurred.
  • The rearview camera image reportedly degrades or distorts during inclement weather.
  • Electrical system complaints include a warning light appearing at night, unresponsive dashboard buttons, corroded side-detection sensors, and a car that would not start properly with radio and lights flickering and a clicking sound.
  • One owner reported the AC evaporator failing under the dash, releasing refrigerant into the cabin and disabling defrost function.
2018 Chevrolet Impala complaints: complaints filed per month6Nov 2017May 2019May 2020Feb 2021Mar 2022Sep 2023Nov 2024Mar 2026
85 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2017 to Jun 2026; peak Jul 2020 (6).

2018 Chevrolet Impala recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

2018 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
28 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.

2018 compared with other Impala years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good40111022
2017Good30116022
2018Best2059122
2019Best1028122
2020Best015022

All Chevrolet Impala years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Compared to other Impala model years, the 2018 ranks 9th out of 11 with a Complaint Index of 20 and a "Best" verdict, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area with 14 complaints (24% share), followed by Transmission & Powertrain (11 complaints, 19%) and Brakes (9 complaints, 15%).
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 18V576000) covering the brake system, where dealers bleed the brake system free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2018 Impala compare to other years?
The 2018 model has a Complaint Index of 20, far lower than the worst years like 2014 (100) and 2011 (90), but slightly higher than 2019 (10) and 2020 (0).
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
The EPA rates it at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

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.