At 108492 mile the transmission stopped working there was no warning what so ever we were sitting at a red light and it would not go in any gear. Was towed to multistate transmission in waterford, michigan and cost $2,259.76 to be repaired I would like to be reimbursed some if not all this money
2010 Chevrolet Impala powertrain problems
moderate 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 56 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 56 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2010 Impala powertrain is a real gamble. Owners report critical failures—stuck shifters, sudden power loss at highway speeds, complete transmission failure—often without warning and outside warranty coverage. Plan for expensive repairs or walk away.
The 2010 Chevrolet Impala powertrain is plagued by multiple, distinct failure modes that owners describe as dangerous and expensive.
Shift and ignition lockup is the most consistent complaint. Owners' shift levers freeze in park and keys stick in the ignition because the solenoid wiring—described as too short—fractures from the shifter's back-and-forth motion. Repairs run $500–$600, but the problem recurs. Owners say this strands them, drains batteries (accessories stay on), and invites theft if they must leave the key in the ignition.
Sudden power loss hits owners without warning, often around 45,000–60,000 miles. Engine power drops to 5–25 mph mid-highway. Dashboards flash "Service StabiliTrak," "Service Traction Control," and "Reduced Engine Power." Dealers replace throttle bodies (~$700) or pedal sensors, but the fix doesn't stick—failures recur weeks or months later. Some owners report no fault codes even when it happens.
Transmission jerking and hard shifts create rough acceleration from stops and delayed gear engagement. Some owners say they've felt it every time they accelerate; others report it intermittently.
Complete transmission failure—no forward or reverse—strikes without warning at mileages ranging from 30,000 to 130,000. Owners hear grinding or nothing at all, then the vehicle won't move. Rebuilds or replacements cost $850–$2,259+, often out of warranty.
Airbag lights illuminate intermittently or constantly. Diagnosis is expensive (requires removing seat and dashboard), and one dealer told an owner the airbag won't deploy while the light is on—a serious safety gap.
Owners also report gas pedals not responding, shifter cables detaching and reattaching repeatedly, and engines stalling without warning.
Same Chevrolet Impala powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Shift lever stuck in park / key stuck in ignition
Shift lever becomes immobilized in the park position, preventing gear selection. The ignition key cannot be removed. Owners report this is caused by electrical wiring to the transmission solenoid that operates the shift lock mechanism breaking due to the wires being too short and the repeated back-and-forth motion of the shifter lever. The wiring fractures where it connects to the solenoid connector.
When: Can occur early (120 miles, 21,000 miles) or later (55,000–129,000 miles); some recur shortly after dealer repair
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever locked in park position; Ignition key cannot be removed from switch; Transmission lights remain on in dash; Battery drains because electrical system cannot be fully powered down
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers repair wiring in the shift lever cable/solenoid circuit, typically $500–$600 per repair; failures recur requiring repeat repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite widespread complaints on online forums. Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) addresses this for some VINs; parts have been unavailable, delaying repairs.
Loss of engine power with service stabilitrak and traction control warnings
While driving, engine power drops suddenly and dramatically, often during highway speeds. Vehicle speed is reduced to as low as 5–25 mph without driver input. Dashboard warnings for 'Service StabiliTrak,' 'Service Traction Control,' 'Reduced Engine Power,' and 'Check Engine' light illuminate. Some owners report the throttle body, accelerator pedal position sensor (APPS), or electronic control module (ECM) being replaced, but issues recur. Many times no fault codes are stored when dealers check the vehicle.
When: Can occur at 40,000–155,000 miles; often around 45,000–60,000 miles; happens intermittently, sometimes months apart, then suddenly recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, dramatic loss of power while driving; Vehicle speed reduced to 5–25 mph without driver action; Service StabiliTrak warning message; Service Traction Control warning message; Reduced Engine Power message; Check Engine light illuminates; Erratic speedometer spiking; Tachometer lag; Dragging sensation; Hard transmission shifts from first to second gear
Codes mentioned: P2138, P2122, P2127
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement (~$700); accelerator pedal position sensor (APPS) or full pedal assembly replacement ($275+); transmission fluid flush (ineffective); ECM replacement. Repairs often do not resolve the issue or the problem recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued a Special Condition Coverage Customer Satisfaction Campaign for accelerator pedal position sensor replacement on some units. Campaign 14V355000 listed but does not cover all VINs.
Transmission jerking, hesitation, and hard shifts
Transmission jerks violently or hesitates when accelerating from a stop or during normal driving. Hard, delayed shifts between gears, especially from first to second. Vehicle may feel stuck in gear. Hesitation can last one or two seconds, and jerking can be severe enough to concern the driver about vehicle control. Some owners report this happening every time they accelerate; others report it intermittently.
When: Can begin as early as 40,000 miles and persist or worsen over time; some owners report it since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking when accelerating from stop; Transmission hesitation upon acceleration; Hard, delayed shifts between gears; Feels stuck in gear momentarily; Rough, kicking transmission operation; Rough idling; Vehicle shakes and vibrates abnormally
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flush attempted but often ineffective; transmission lines replaced in some cases; second clutch plate replaced in at least one case but failure recurred; full transmission replacement ($2,100–$2,259) recommended by dealers but repair has not resolved issue in all cases
Complete transmission failure—no forward or reverse motion
Transmission abruptly stops functioning entirely. Vehicle will not move in drive or reverse gear. May happen with grinding or clunking noises just before failure. Owners report little to no warning; some note a popping sound before power loss. In one case, metal was found in the transmission fluid. Vehicle becomes immobilized and unsafe to operate.
When: Various mileages: 30,000, 50,000–60,000, 68,000, 97,000, 108,000, 109,000, 130,000 miles; often without prior transmission symptoms
Symptoms owners cite: No forward or reverse motion in any gear; Vehicle will not accelerate in any gear; Loud grinding, clunking, or metal-on-metal noise; Popping sound; Wheels lock up (difficult to load onto tow truck); Loss of steering control in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild or replacement required; costs $850–$2,259+ depending on shop and warranty status; transmission rebuilt again in at least one case failed again at 108,000 miles; dealers have found metal debris in transmission fluid indicating internal damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners out of warranty denied coverage; no recall issued
Shift lever stuck and difficult to shift gears
Shift lever is difficult to move, stuck, or completely immobilized at startup. Once engine warms, the stiffness may resolve. Some owners report having to force the lever with excessive pressure to move between gears. Shifter cable has been found detached in at least one case and required reattachment, but the failure recurred multiple times even after three dealer repairs.
When: Typically at cold start or low mileage (21,000–55,000 miles); some persist or recur
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever stuck or very difficult to move at cold start; Excessive force required to shift gears; Cannot get vehicle out of park; Shifter cable detaches or becomes loose
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter cable reattachment; shifting mechanism repair; wiring repair in shift console. Repairs recur; one vehicle required the same repair three times.
Transmission will not engage or locked into gear
Vehicle parked on a slight grade will not remain in park or will roll unexpectedly. Vehicle starts but will not move into gear when shifted. Shifter moves but transmission does not engage. Some vehicles will slip or fail to hold gear while parked.
When: Variable; one case at 120 miles (test drive); others at 40,000–68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls when parked without manual brake engaged; Shifter moves but transmission will not engage gear; Transmission slips or fails to hold; Cannot move vehicle forward or reverse; RPMs rise but vehicle does not move
Repairs/costs cited: Manual shift override button depression required to move car; transmission replacement considered but underlying cause not always determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ignition switch malfunction noted as related to shift lock design (Campaign 14V355000)
Gas pedal failure—pedal fell off / not responding
Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive, falls off its mounting, or fails to return. One owner reported the gas pedal fell off while driving. Another reported the pedal assembly needed replacement.
When: September 2013 (pedal fell off); 40,000–60,000 miles in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal does not respond to depression; Pedal falls off mounting; Pedal assembly failure; Vehicle does not accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: Entire pedal assembly replacement required, not covered under warranty if out of warranty period
Airbag warning light—intermittent or constant illumination
Airbag service light comes on intermittently or stays on constantly. Dealer diagnostics are expensive and time-consuming because they require tracing the wiring harness, removing the seat and dashboard. In at least one case, the dealer stated that the airbag would not deploy if the light is illuminated, creating a serious safety concern. Light often goes on and off unpredictably.
When: Can occur throughout vehicle ownership; one case reported as ongoing for months before complaint filed
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag service light illuminates intermittently or constantly; Airbag may not deploy when light is on (per dealer statements)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis requires expensive labor (tracing wiring harness, removing seat and dashboard); repair costs unknown but described as expensive; repairs often performed out of warranty
Engine stalling without warning
Engine stalls abruptly while driving at highway speeds or at stops. No warning lights or fault codes appear before the stall. Vehicle can usually be restarted.
When: 97,000 miles reported; can happen at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; No warning lights or codes before stall; Vehicle stops moving unexpectedly
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed or diagnosed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers report no recalls available
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate and jerked forward as the electronic stability control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician informed that the vehicle was functioning as designed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate after a complete stop. Additionally, the gears were difficult to shift and excessive forced was required in order to shift gears. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown substance spilled around the gears. The…
Driving uphill & the service stabiltrak & the serice traction control words came on followed by reduce of engine power & the service engine light & traction control light came on. We could still drive at about 20 MPH uphill & 45-50 on flat roads. We shut the car off 4 about 2 hrs 2 cool down. But then as soon as we headed up a hill it started all over.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle where he returned home and parked it. The contact called the dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle.The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 56 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 47 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,799 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 69,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,799; a quarter make it past 109,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.