Home · 2018 Chevrolet Impala · Complaints

What 59 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 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 (59)Crash / fire / injury (6)Electrical system (11)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Brakes (8)Engine (7)Steering (7)Airbags (6)Lights (4)Fuel system (3)Seats (3)Speed control (2)

11 of 59 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters

Jun 26, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission failed, shifting is no longer smooth. It hesitates and shakes the entire car, and the car slows down to almost a crawl uphill. I understand this is an issue with Chevrolet Impalas. So now I have an $8200 bill for a problem I was never told about, and that GM knew that it existed. So, yes, the issue has been identified, reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The warning light came on when the issue happened, so it was already too late. The issue began with just over 65,000 miles. So I have a 2018 Impala in almost perfect condition in need of an $8200 before taxes, transmission replacement. I would like some help from the NHTSA, like requiring GM to pay for the repairs. Thank You very much.

NHTSA ODI 11746623

Feb 24, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11644539

Nov 16, 2024Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine

I was sold a used car w/ undisclosed accidents. Had many issues within first few weeks. Had transmission cooler lines replaced after they burst. Radiator, compressor, condenser, and much more. Then the Airbag light came on. Dealership said connectors were bad. Fixed it. Light came on again.took it in to dealership. They had it for over two weeks. The GM for all the dealerships Told me the vehicle was not unsafe and told me lies. But the service girl confessed she no longer had access to my vehicle or my file and her boss and the Gm had taken over working on it. She then told me they pulled Ford model air bags from my Chevy Impala. Now the light has come on again. I do not feel safe or rust the dealership to fix it properly.

NHTSA ODI 11625701

Oct 1, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Since vehicle purchase in 2018 there is a shifting problem with the transmission. I have paid for shifter repairs and still the problem exist. While driving the car gets stuck in gear and hard to accelerate. The issue happens at various times without warning. There has been two instances that could have led to potential accidents. Upon spraking with and researching other impala owners, this is a common problem in the 3.6 engine Chevrolet Impalas but nothing has been done. The dealer has a plan to determine but it has always cost $1500+ to the customer.

NHTSA ODI 11617470

Aug 28, 2024Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11611424

Jun 8, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

While driving or idling (car in D/M, both automatic and manual), the car will rapidly shift to park and then back to where the shifter was set, usually in a lower gear that slows the car down or prevents acceleration. The transmission or speed sensor could be an issue. This can happen in rapid succession 3-5+ times in a row, which has led to a drop in speed from 65 MPH to 40 MPH, especially dangerous at faster speeds on a highway or when deceleration is occurring more quickly, like going up a steep hill. I am unsure what indication there is for cars that are behind me, but they have had to slow down or pass me in some instances to avoid hitting me. If it happens while turning at a 2 way stop or on an entrance ramp, my car might not accelerate fast enough to merge into traffic. There have been no lights on the dash, and the dealer has not been able to identify the issue when I have taken it in.

NHTSA ODI 11526108

Aug 6, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

While driving from work the car did a quick jerk and the STABILITRAK, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON ALL AT ONCE. As I pulled into my workplace the car lost power to the engine completely while displaying ACTION REQUIRED ON THE LCD SCREEN. The brake and steering wheel became stiff and it was hard to control the vehicle. It took 10 minutes for me to regain power and control over the vehicle that again after leaving work stopped on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11477959

Feb 7, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

I have a 2018 Chevrolet Premier Impala that has started skipping gears at 1st and 2nd while driving. The vehicle shudders when it changes gears. Took vehicle to dealer who informed me that the transmission needs to be replaced already. I haven't received any dash messages or vehicle warnings prior to noticing the transmission problem. I always kept the car properly serviced by the dealer for all routine maintenance requirements. I am the original owner of this vehicle. The car has under 100,000 miles. Dealer informs me that it will take at least a week before they can possibly get new transmission for vehicle. I may be without vehicle for at least 2 weeks minimum.

NHTSA ODI 11450878

May 12, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

THE EVAP CORE STARTED LEAKING A MONTH AGO HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND AS I READ ONLINE ITS A COMMON ISSUE AND CHEVY DOESNT WANT TO FIX IT. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BUT DOESNT HAPPEN OFTEN

NHTSA ODI 11416236

Oct 4, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

GEARS SKIPPING AND SHRUDDERING BETWEEN 2ND AND 4TH GEAR. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACES WHICH WAS A FALSE DIAGNOSE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSING, THEY REVEALED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR 6200$. I PAID THE 6200$ AND NOW TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD INTO 2ND GEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11362612

Aug 12, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ROUGH SHIFT AND BUCKING BACK AND FORTH. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AS WELL AS HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN PASSING.

NHTSA ODI 11348753

Working with the data? Download all 59 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 2018 Chevrolet Impala verdict →