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2010 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Chevrolet Impala carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering occupant classification and ignition. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission failure to shift or slipping.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign #16V507000 · May 7, 2016

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Risk: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #12V377000 · Mar 8, 2012

Issue: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Campaign #10V480000 · Oct 13, 2010

Issue: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." 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.

Risk: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Chevrolet Impala.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission failure to shift or slipping

POWER TRAIN

17 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2021-12

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO FIX THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11325992
“AT 108492 MILE THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER WE WERE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11057718
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE REVERSE POSITION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPPED" SEVERAL TIMES AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10986000

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

StabiliTrak and traction control shutdown

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2017-05

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER (BUT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER) TWO LIGHTS POP UP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT. I ALSO GET THREE DISPLAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935257
“PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH-SPEED'S IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER TWO LIGHTS POP UP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10918453
“CAR READS STABILIZING TRACK AND CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND HAS CUT OFF. ON GOING PROBLEM. IN MOTION WHILE DRIVING. ON HIGHWAY OR STREET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering system fault

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2017-11

“WHILE MAKING A TURN, A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10893122
“POWER STEERING BEGIN TO GO OUT AND NOW FLUID IS CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC WHICH STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURED MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD CHECK FOR A RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862537
“STEERING IS HARD TO TURN AND MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11045417

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and seat sensor faults

AIR BAGS

39 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2023-03

“The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, she noticed the "Service Air bag System" warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the air bag seat sensor and side-impact sensor to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450828
“Air Bag Service message comes up on the information panel with the air bag light on. Did a diagnostic check showed passenger air bag. I reached under the seat and shook the wires the light and message went off, however the diagnostic check still showed the passenger air bag”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11448471
“THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THERE'S A FRAYED WIRE UNDER THE SEAT AND CHEVROLET IS TRYING TO CHARGE $380 TO FIX THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349988

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system no-start and power loss

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2025-06

“The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and unattended in a parking lot. After about ten minutes, the contact was unlocking the vehicle and noticed fire inside the vehicle near the front of the vehicle near the radio and heater”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11667688
“VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL THINGS WORK, THE LIGHTS, DASHBOARD, ETC.. BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO STARTER. THIS VEHICLE HAS 150000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD 6 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11184613
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11102868

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reduced engine power warning and stalling

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2021-05

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10966386
“WHILE DRIVING MY IMPALA, WITH NO WARNING, MY CAR LOST POWER. THE DASH BEEPED AT ME AND SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STALINKTRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10936194
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE "ENGINE REDUCE POWER" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10917196

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

252 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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