Summary
The Chevrolet Impala has 16 recalls spanning 1997 through 2019, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2014 models where loose steering fasteners can cause the steering shaft or lower ball joint to separate, resulting in complete loss of steering control.
The 2014 model year carries a particularly heavy recall load. The electronic parking brake on 2014-2015 examples can fail to fully retract its actuation arm, leaving the brake pads partially dragging on the rotors and generating enough heat to start a fire. A separate issue on 2014 models involves the automatic transmission shift cable adjuster, which can pop off the shift lever and leave the driver unable to change gears while the gear indicator shows an incorrect position. There is also a power steering concern on some 2014 vehicles where a poor ground connection to the steering control module causes the electric assist to cut out, requiring much more physical effort to steer at low speeds. On 2014-2015 models with front vented-heated passenger seats, the passenger seat occupant sensing system can fail to suppress the front airbag when a child seat is present, raising the risk of airbag deployment directly into a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint. A 2014-2015 center console latch can also fail to stay closed in a crash, allowing the compartment door to swing open and strike occupants.
On 2018-2019 models, the rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating that causes gas pockets to form inside, reducing rear braking performance. For 2012 models, a misrouted power steering hose can contact the catalytic converter, melt through, and spray fluid onto the hot converter, starting an engine fire.
Going back to 2009-2010 models, the front passenger seat frame can pinch the wiring for the passenger presence sensor, causing the airbag system to treat an occupied seat as empty and suppress the airbag in a crash. Those same years also have a front seatbelt webbing that may not be properly secured to the lap belt pretensioner anchor, meaning the belt might not hold the occupant in a crash. The 2008-2012 police package variants have a separate structural concern: the front lower control arms can fracture and cause a sudden loss of directional control.
On 2000-2004 and specifically 2004 models, engine oil can drip from a leak onto the exhaust manifold and ignite. The 1997-2008 model years share an ignition key recall where a heavy keychain can pull the key out of the run position while driving, disabling the airbags in a crash.
