Is the 2010 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
442 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 93, 4.4× a quiet Impala year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 54k–106k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Impala owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 132 (30%) | 50k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 103 (23%) | 55k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 93 (21%) | 54k–106k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 74 (17%) | 57k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 67 (15%) | 48k–108k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 47 (11%) | 56k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 42 (10%) | 43k–87k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 30 (7%) | 26k–93k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Traction control | 21 (5%) | 47k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 18 (4%) | 33k–92k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 17 (4%) | 50k–106k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 16 (4%) | 40k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | 40k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 11 (2%) | 0k–38k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 442 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Message says "Service stabilitrak" Engine powering down". Has happened while driving and when first starting. Many GM customers have experienced same issue across several years and makes including the traverse.
I was driving and the car shut off. No brakes, no power steering, nothing.....I coasted to the side of the road, put it in park, took the key out of the ignition, put it back in and the car started.
After an attempt to start the vehicle, the ignition would not turn over. Several attempts to start the vehicle were made to no avail.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala: 4
The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module. If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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.
This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front safety belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door. The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 375
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Chevrolet Impala. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Neighbouring years
2009 Impala: 824 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2011 Impala: 504 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
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Questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
442 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 93, 4.4× a quiet Impala year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 54k–106k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (132), air bags (103), engine (93), stability control (74), transmission and drivetrain (67). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 54k–106k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Impala have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 16V-507), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355), Suspension (NHTSA 12V-377), Seat belts (NHTSA 10V-480). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.