Chevrolet Impala 2014–2020Common problems, reliability & repair costs

Symptoms: Oil level dropping a quart or more between changes with no visible leak and little or no smoke. Owners report needing to top up regularly; if missed, low oil can lead to bigger engine damage. The four-cylinder shares GM's low-tension-ring Ecotec design family that drew oil-consumption class actions on related engines.

Fix: Mild cases are managed by checking and topping up oil between changes plus a PCV inspection (cheap). Severe cases need a piston-ring or partial engine job, which is why a four-cylinder car with documented low oil use is worth far more than one of unknown history.

Sources: Cherish Your Car: GM 2.5L engine problems (oil loss), Impala Forums: oil consumption problems, GM Authority: Ecotec oil-consumption class action

Symptoms: The electronic parking brake actuator may not fully retract, leaving the pads partially engaged. That drags the brakes, builds excessive heat, and in the worst case created a fire risk. Some cars were re-remedied after the first fix was done incorrectly.

Fix: Covered by recall. Dealers reflashed the electronic parking-brake software free of charge (GM recall 14471, began Oct 2014). Confirm by VIN that the remedy (and any follow-up) was completed; the fix costs you nothing but an unrepaired car is a safety issue.

Sources: CarComplaints: Chevy Impala parking-brake recall, NHTSA recall 15V085000 (2014 Impala parking brake)

Symptoms: A poor electrical ground at the power-steering control module can cause a sudden loss of power-steering assist at startup or while driving, making the car much harder to steer at low speed.

Fix: Covered by recall. Dealers cleaned paint from behind the ground stud and updated the module software free of charge (NHTSA 14V450 / GM 14330, began Aug 2014). Verify it was performed; out of recall, an actual EPS module failure can run into four figures.

Sources: NHTSA recall 14V450000 (2014 Impala EPS), RepairPal: recall 14V450000

Symptoms: Hard or jerky 2-to-3 upshift, occasional surge, or harsh engagement. Traced to pressure-control / shift solenoids inside the 6-speed automatic. GM's TSB 10023432 addresses a transmission surge condition.

Fix: Often a fluid service plus solenoid replacement; severe internal cases require partial transmission teardown. Keeping the fluid serviced is the best prevention.

Sources: My Auto Store: why 9th-gen Impala transmissions fail, CarProblemZoo: Impala transmission solenoid problems

Symptoms: Clicking or stuck HVAC temperature-blend actuators (uneven or wrong-temperature air), the ignition key sticking and refusing to come out on keyed cars, and intermittent rear side-detection (blind-spot) warnings. Individually small, but several owners report electrical items as their main spend.

Fix: HVAC actuator replacement is the most common (moderate cost behind the dash). Key-stuck issues are often a shift-interlock or lock-cylinder fix; side-detection faults usually trace to a module or harness connection.

Sources: CarComplaints: 2014 Impala top problems (electrical / side detection), Endurance: common Chevy Impala problems

Symptoms: Coolant weeping or low coolant on higher-mileage V6 cars, sometimes a sweet smell or residue near the front of the engine. The water pump is buried, so labor is the bulk of the cost.

Fix: Water-pump replacement. Because access is labor-intensive, many shops suggest doing it alongside any other front-of-engine work. Not a defect so much as a known wear item on this V6.

Sources: Powertrain Company: GM 3.6L V6 overview, GoTech: GM 3.6L timing chain / cooling

Tools: Screwdriver (glovebox stops)

1. Open the glovebox and empty it.
2. Release the glovebox stops/dampener so the box drops down fully and exposes the filter door.
3. Open the filter cover and slide out the old cabin filter, noting the airflow arrow direction.
4. Insert the new filter with the airflow arrow pointing the same way, close the cover, and re-seat the glovebox.

Tools: Flathead screwdriver (airbox clips, if needed)

1. Locate the airbox on top of the engine and release the lid clips or screws.
2. Lift the airbox lid and pull the old panel filter straight out.
3. Wipe out any debris in the box, drop in the new filter seated flat in its frame.
4. Re-clip the lid and confirm it's sealed all the way around.

Tools: Floor jack + jack stands, Lug wrench, Socket set + caliper bolt sockets, C-clamp or caliper piston tool, Torque wrench

1. Loosen the lug nuts, lift the front of the car, support it on jack stands, and remove the wheels.
2. Unbolt the caliper, lift it off (hang it with wire so it doesn't dangle by the hose), and remove the old pads.
3. Compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp so the new, thicker pads will fit.
4. Fit the new pads and any included hardware, reinstall the caliper, and torque the bolts to spec.
5. Reinstall the wheels, torque the lug nuts, then pump the brake pedal until firm before driving.