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What 270 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Impala

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (270)Crash / fire / injury (16)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (108)Brakes (53)Electrical system (52)Steering (34)Transmission & drivetrain (33)Engine (30)Wheels (23)Speed control (20)Airbags (19)Suspension (17)

108 of 270 complaints match · Electronic Stability Control (esc) · clear filters · page 2 of 5

Jul 31, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)

IN 2016 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, SERVICE STABILITRACK LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED MY CAR WAS MISFIRING, ALONG WITH THE LEFT WHEEL HUB, AND A TUNE UP. LONG STORY SHORT, IN THREE MONTHS I SPENT ABOUT $3000 ON SOMETHING THAT IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN. BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS NOW IT FEELS LIKE MY BRAKES SLIP WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON. AND THEY COME ON AND OFF AND ON AND OFF..I COULD JUST HAVE TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE LIGHTS ARE DINGING. I TRIED TO SEE IF GENERAL MOTORS WILL HELP ME, AND OF COURSE THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. AS I READ THROUGH ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS, IT MAKES ME FEEL LESS CRAZY SINCE EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO A SHOP THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE DOESN'T PICK UP ANY CODES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. AND GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO DO BETTER IN MAKING THEIR CONSUMERS HAPPIER WITH THEIR PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI 11114961

Jun 7, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY VEHICLE HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR THE 3RD TIME DUE TO THE SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE ABS WARNING. THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING (USUALLY LEFT) OR WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE FRONT SPEED CONTROL HUB HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO SUPPOSEDLY CORRECT HIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, I AM RELATIVELY CERTAIN THAT THE HUB WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11100403

Jun 1, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)

LAST YEAR I TOOK MY CAR TO CHEVY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE GRINDING NOISE OR SEE THE STABILITRAK LIGHT ON. A YEAR LATER AND IT IS GRINDING MORE AND THE STABILITRAK LIGHT STAYS ON. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? I HAVE KEPT MY CAR UP ON TUNE UPS AND OIL CHANGES, BUT THIS STABILITRAK ISSUE IS GETTING MORE AND MORE ANNOYING EACH DAY AND THAT GRINDING NOISE DOES NOT SOUND GOOD AFTER I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI 11099131

May 23, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I BACK-UP I HEAR A GRINDING NOISE THEN THE ABS AND SERVICE STABILITRACE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATES RED ON THE DASHBOARD; THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HAPPING TO THIS CAR THE FIRST THE DEALER REPAIRED THAT WAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES AGO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS, WORKED FOR A WHILE.

NHTSA ODI 11097648

May 11, 2018SteeringSuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILD AND MY SERVICE STABILITRACT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN ALL U HEARD WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE WHEEL LIKE LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN UNTIL LIKE 5 SECONDS LATER ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY KIDS TO GET HIT INTO A REALLY TERRIBLE WRECK WITH CARS COMING AT US AT 55 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11093286

Apr 5, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE LEFT FRONT ABS AND STABILITRAK BROKE CAUSING THE ABS TO ENGAGE ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER READING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA THAT EVEN HAS A TSB FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN HARNESS ALONG WITH THE $272.94 BILL FOR HAVING THE DEALER REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ODI 11083421

Feb 17, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DID COME ON UNTIL I STARTED PUTTING MILES ON IT NOW THE ABS TRACKING CONTROL LIGHT STABILITY LIGHT WON'T. GO OFF

NHTSA ODI 11073424

Jan 18, 2018SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemBrakes

2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT END NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11029569

Dec 29, 2017SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

STABILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL RANDOMLY FAIL WHILE BACKING AND DRIVING. ESPECIALLY WITH RIGHT HAND STEERING INPUT. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND TURING RIGHT, STANILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL ALERT FAILURE AND THE INPUT FROM THE ACCELERATOR WILL CEASE CAUSING SLOW TIRING LEADING TO NEAR MISS TRAFFIC COLLISIONS. CHEVY CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM AND NUMEROUS ONLINE REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. ON GOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11057357

Nov 14, 2017SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

I HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO JULY 2016 MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, SERVICE SABILITRAK , AND SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST KEEPS BLINKING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY CONTRACTS AS IF MY CAR IS TRYING TO STOP ITSELF MAKING ME JERKS AND THE CAR JERKS REPORTED IT TO MY FINANCE COMPANY THAT FINANCE THE CAR AND THE COMPANY THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SO IT SHOULD BE ON RECORD THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. P.S MY CAR BRAKES CONTRACTS, JERKS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ON THE FREEWAY. MY CAR BRAKES CONTRACT WHEN I AM DRIVING IN MOTION AND WHEN I'M TURNING AFTER I COME FROM A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11046097

Nov 11, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

2013 CHEVY IMPALA HAS STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL COME ON ALONG WITH ENGINE LIGHT.THE CAR HAS 20,152 MILES ON IT AND THIS JUST STARTED WHEN IT GOT COLD BUT HAPPENS REGULARLY NOW.I STARTED WARMING UP THE CAR AND THOUGHT THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPENED ON A LEFT TURN AFTER TWO HOURS OF DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL THE LEFT TURN.

NHTSA ODI 11045287

Sep 27, 2017Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

AT ROUGHLY 26,000 MILES MY ABS, STABILITRAC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IGNITION RECALL, THEY REPLACED THE ABS WIRE HARNESS AND CORRECTED THE THE PROBLEM. AT ROUGHLY 56,000 AND 86,000 THE ABS, STABILITRAC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I AM CARRYING MY CAR BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TOMORROW FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS NOW DECELERATING ON ITS OWN AND THE WHEELS ARE ABRUPTLY LOCKING. THE CAR IS MOVING DURING ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS. MY CAR HAS BEGUN FLASHING ABS, STABILITRAC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ABRUPTLY DECELERATING ON ITS OWN AT 60/75 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11030253

Sep 17, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD 28, 000 MILES WHEN IT BEGAN MAKING LOW TONE GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP OR AT LOWER SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN REVERSE GEAR A FEW TIMES AS WELL. THE LOW PITCH GRINDING SOUND HAS OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A SLOW RIGHT HAND TURNS A FEW TIMES. THE GRINDING NOISE OCCURS ON BOTH DRY AND WET PAVEMENT. FREQUENTLY A REDUCTION IN FORWARD POWER OCCURS. INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY: STABILITY TACK NEEDS SERVICED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND RED ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN DRIVING IN BUMPY AREAS THE RED ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN TAKING OFF ON AN UP HILL GRADE TRACTION CONTROL RUMBLES AND THEN I HAVE A REDUCTION IN POWER AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE MAKING MY FORWARD MOTION SLOWER THAN ANTICIPATED AND PLACING ME IN DANGER. MECHANIC USED AN ANALYZER AND SAID IT WAS MY LEFT WHEEL SENSOR. HE REPLACED THE HUB. MY PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP. NONE OF THIS OCCURS WHEN I MANUALLY TURN OFF THE STABILITY CONTROL WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR.(THE BUTTON ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD THAT HAS A DRAWING OF THE CAR AND SQUIGGLY LINES) VERY DANGEROUS, ANNOYING AND COSTLY SITUATION. RECALL NECESSARY!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11023838

Jun 4, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MOSTLY WHEN TURNING WHILE IN REVERSE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR HESITATES SLIGHTLY. THERE IS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE. THIS WILL HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY GOING FORWARD. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES WEEK. DURING THE COOLER MONTHS IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. THE CAR WILL BE FOUR YEARS OLD IN 08/2017 AND IT HAS LESS THAN 28,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN 06/2016 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT. HAD THE BRAKES LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 10993110

May 17, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED AND AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE ABS AND SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE BRAKES, ROTORS, BEARING, AND TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10986118

May 12, 2017SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/ BRAKE ASSIST AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER AND SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT HAD WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM IS BACK. HAPPENS WHILE IN REVERSE

NHTSA ODI 10985475

May 11, 2017Speed controlWheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING. WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SPEED REDUCED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN TWICE FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 10984962

Apr 28, 2017SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE TRACTION AND/OR SUSPENSION CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL WHEN TURNING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER (AND PASSENGERS) TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. ONCE THE CAR GETS IN MOTION, IT MOVES AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED TO CATCH UP TO WHAT THE NORMAL SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY ON CITY STREETS AS A RESULT OF TURNING. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN TIMES THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE IN MOTION WHEN SIMPLY STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AND DRIVING FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI 10981305

Apr 24, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

AT 47,000MILES THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE HUB WHEEL. THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THE STABILITYTRACK WARNING CAME ON. IT GOES OFF. BUT THEN WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS RESEARCHING TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO NO AVAIL. THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS CHEVY MODEL.

NHTSA ODI 10980340

Apr 17, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING AT LOW SPEED 40MILES OR LESS PULL UP AND STOP TO MAKE TURN AND CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. STALLS SOME BEFORE IT WILL PULL OFF. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE ISSUE SO THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. LEFT LOT AND IT DID IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10978752

Apr 17, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

UNWANTED TRACTION CONTROL/ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED. IT USUALLY HAPPENS FROM A STOP WHEN TURNING LEFT, BUT ALSO HAS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING LEFT, WHEN GOING STRAIGHT OVER A BUMPY ROAD AND ALSO WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE ROADS ARE DRY. TRACTION CONTROL/ABS ACTIVATES WITH A DISTINCT NOISE AND VEHICLE HESITATION. DASH LIGHTS/NOTIFICATIONS ARE USUALLY NOT ACTIVATED HOWEVER SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL HAS APPEARED A FEW TIMES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND THE VEHICLE HESITATES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ONE AND A HALF YEARS VERY INTERMITTENTLY, BUT HAS BECOME CONSTANT NOW EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR 6 DAYS OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS AND HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I FINALLY DROVE WITH A MECHANIC AND EASILY REPLICATED THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A 4TH TIME (AFTER THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM). THE CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE PROBLEM MUST BE REPAIRED PERMANENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 10978815

Apr 13, 2017SuspensionWheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, STABILIZER BAR, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIE RODS, AND BRAKES SHOULD BE REPLACED TO MITIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 10972285

Apr 6, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2014 THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS FIRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE, SO I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT. NOW RECENTLY IT HAS STARTED AGAIN AND MUCH WORSE. IT NOW DOES IT WHEN I TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, GOING FORWARD OR REVERSING AND THE TRACTION LIGHT WILL FLASH ON DRIVING STRAIGHT AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 10970930

Mar 31, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

MY CAR MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN I TURN LEFT AND LOSES POWER, ALSO TODAY THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND THE TRACTION LIGHTS ALL CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE READ MANY THINGS FROM MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS CERTAIN PROBLEM AND IT IS COSTLY TO GET THIS FIXED AND I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND HAVING YOUR CAR LOSE POWER.

NHTSA ODI 10969673

Mar 22, 2017SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITRAK, AND BRAKE ASSIST WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A MESSAGE WARNING OF ICY CONDITIONS APPEARED, BUT THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND CLEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE AND HUB BEARING FAILURE. THE BRAKES AND HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 08/22/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10967890

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Working with the data? Download all 270 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Chevrolet Impala verdict →