Is the 2013 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Impala are in line with other Impala years. Stability control and brakes stand out for this year: see below.
6th quietest of 20 Impala years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 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 58,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 108 (40%) | 39k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 53 (19%) | 48k–79k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 52 (19%) | 41k–83k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 34 (13%) | 39k–78k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 33 (12%) | 37k–74k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 32 (12%) | 39k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Wheels | 23 (8%) | 29k–85k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Speed control | 20 (7%) | 29k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 19 (7%) | 33k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 17 (6%) | 44k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Traction control | 17 (6%) | 40k–73k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (4%) | 33k–86k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | 27k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | 12k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
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 58,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 272 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 9 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
ABS multiple times this vehicle will lock up the brakes when attempting to pull out of a parking lot or make a turn from a slow speed I.e.
My 2013 impala ltz will suddenly decelerate to around 35 MPH and hesitate when you hit the gas. Three messages pop up, "Traction control off", "Engine power is reduced" And "Service stabilitrak".
Does not shift into gear smoothly. I can feel a jerk when transmission changes gears. There is a delayed response when when excelerating from a standstill.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 58,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Impala: 1
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.
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: 467
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 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…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set
Neighbouring years
2012 Impala: 257 complaints, keep it · 2014 Impala: 638 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Impala years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years. At 58,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: stability control (108), brakes (53), electrical system (52), steering (34), transmission and drivetrain (33).
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Impala have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355). 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.