Wrench.Pro

2017 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Chevrolet Impala has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Evaporator core failure with refrigerant leak.” 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.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Chevrolet Impala.

Reported to NHTSA

Evaporator core failure with refrigerant leak

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

22 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2026-06

“Evaporator Core failed. My safety isn't at risk although I get very hot riding in the car without AC. It was confirmed by a dealer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529663
“THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR IS LEAKING UNDER NORMAL USE. I WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED WITH A SPECIAL GM COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT N182186881”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397510
“EVAPORATOR CORE FOR AIR CONDITIONING LEAKING. IT WAS CONFIRMED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP QUOTED AN ESTIMATED REPAIR PRICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11324672

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist failure

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2025-10

“Power steering assist drive with care warning popped up on dash. Took the vehicle to the dealership and they said the power steering gear failed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694490
“AS I WAS DRIVING IN A CURVED LANE ALL OF A SUDDEN A WARNING LIGHT AND POPPED ON THE DASH ABOUT A POWER STEERING ISSUE AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND WAS HEADING OUT OF CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11277942
“LOSE A STEERING NO STEERING ASSISTANCE MILEAGE 400KM USING A GM GDS DTC-C056D-ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT INTERNAL MALFUNCTION/ DLC PIN 6-14,SYMPTOM BYTE 39”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10991338

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission harsh shifting and failure

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and ascending a grade, the vehicle lost forward momentum”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553159
“The Transmission failed, yes it is available for inspection upon request The car was jerking extremely hard from 1st to second gear. Doing damage to my back”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11548849
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF MY 2017 CHEVY IMAPLA LT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ON 9/26/20. I HAVE 164,000 ON THE VEHICLE AND ACCORDING TO VEHICLEREPORTS.COM THE LIFETIME EXPECTANCY OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES ARE ONLY 160,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361513

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight visibility at distance

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2017-12

“HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE ROAD ON RIGHT SIDE, CANNOT SEE ROAD, CURBS OR PEDESTRIANS WHEN TURNING. PROJECTION SYSTEM, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG, VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054048
“HEADLIGHTS SHINE ONLY HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD AND COVER ONLY A FEW CAR LENGTHS AHEAD. NO VISIBI.ITY AT ALL TO THE SIDES. CANNOT SEE WHEN MAKING TURNS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10954226
“POOR FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS LIGHT UP THE ROAD ONLY SHOWING THE BOTTOM 40% OF THE WINDSHIELD AND POOR LIGHTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944263

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and seat sensor fault

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2017-06 → 2022-07

“AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT COMES ON FOR SERVICE. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR ONCE I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241989
“GOOD MORNING, I'M UNSURE OF HOW OFTEN THIS IS HAPPENING, BUT I BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT TAKATA AIR BAG ISSUES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11115473
“2017. CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A MALFUNCTION WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE IS 4'11 AND WEIGHS 88 POUNDS. SHE USES A CUSHION TO MAINTAIN FRONT AND SIDE VISION WHILE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979554

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Catalytic converter and exhaust manifold cracking

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2025-07

“Catalytic converter cracked and is a huge problem with these cars”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11642382
“BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF LOUD EXHAUST SOUND. ASKED IF THEY COULD CHECK FO AN EXHAUST LEAK. UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE I WAS INFORMED THE LOUD EXHAUST WAS DUE TO A CRACK IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384492
“Upon after starting the car a noise was coming from front of engine. I took a video and saw fire coming from the front left catalytic converter between the flange and the converter. The converter separated itself from the flange”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11459646

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of motive power while driving

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2026-03

“THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY ON ME THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT, ONCE AN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND TWICE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I HAD TO WAIT 5-10 MINUTES EACH TIME BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11322931
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle also failed to start intermittently”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423131
“ONCE DRIVEN,CAR WILL NOT RE-START. THIS WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY . NO CLICKING,NO DASH LIGHTS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; AS IF NO BATTERY IN CAR. HAD IT DIAGOSED IN SHOP TWICE NOW, CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG (CANNOT DUPLICATE NO START)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11363772

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)

64 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.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues 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 2017 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.

Check another vehicle →