This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Impala cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Impala have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Impala | 90 |
| 2010 Impala | 31 |
| 2011 Impala | 49 |
| 2012 Impala | 9 |
| 2013 Impala (this page) | 11 |
| 2014 Impala | 12 |
| 2015 Impala | 5 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Car and Truck Fix it Right the First Time Issues
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The bulk of complaints center on a defective ABS speed sensor wiring harness that wears through due to poor routing and undersized wire gauge. Owners describe the sequence: vehicle makes a left turn or hits a bump, dashboard lights up (ABS, traction control, stability control), steering shudders, and power cuts abruptly. One owner documented that the harness shorts from friction, and the repair is a $20 aftermarket harness swap—not the $700+ wheel hub and sensor assembly dealers often quote.
The problem shows up between 25,000 and 99,000 miles, with multiple recurring failures on the same vehicle despite dealer repairs. One owner replaced the front speed control hub three times by 66,000 miles without resolution. Dealers frequently misdiagnose, blame the wrong components, or cannot identify the fault at all.
A separate but alarming issue involves unintended acceleration when the cruise control circuit is active—the engine suddenly spikes RPM and the car shoots forward until the brake disengages cruise. This occurred twice on one vehicle at 60,000 miles, then stopped, leaving owners unsure if it will happen again.
Another complaint describes traction control engaging on its own during normal low-speed turns or acceleration, forcing sudden deceleration when crossing traffic—a genuine hazard. Dealer solutions have been inconsistent: computer replacements, harness swaps, multiple visits with no cure.
Same Chevrolet Impala cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
ABS/Traction Control Sensor Wire Harness Failure
ABS speed sensor wiring harness wears through or shorts out due to insufficient wire gauge and placement in a high-friction area. Factory harness corrodes or abrades, exposing copper and triggering ABS, traction control, and stability control warning lights.
When: Occurs during turns, backing up, or bumps; happens at various mileages from 25,000 to 99,563 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS, Traction Control, and Service Stabilitrak warning lights illuminate; Steering shudders; Vehicle power reduced or deceleration; Abnormal grinding noise from front end during turns; Difficulty accelerating; Erratic vehicle behavior; Vehicle hesitation
Codes mentioned: ABS sensor circuit fault, Traction control system fault, Electronic stability control fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of ABS speed sensor wire harness (aftermarket harness about $20 with heavier gauge); dealer quotes $700+. Some dealers incorrectly recommend full wheel hub assembly and sensor replacement. One independent mechanic found factory sensor wire was spliced. Front speed control hub replaced multiple times (2–3 times) on same vehicle without resolving issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned. Dealer diagnosis inconsistent or unable to identify root cause.
Unintended Acceleration—Cruise Control Circuit
Vehicle suddenly accelerates to high RPM without driver input while cruise control system is active (or was previously engaged). Braking disengages the acceleration event. Issue appears intermittent.
When: At 25 mph on city street and on interstate; occurs at approximately 60,000 miles; happened twice in one week, then subsided
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration as if accelerator floored; Engine RPM spikes; Vehicle 'takes off by itself'; Brake input stops acceleration
Traction Control Unwanted Engagement During Normal Driving
Traction control system engages on its own during low-speed turning or normal acceleration, causing sudden deceleration and vehicle hesitation. System disables power and forward motion unpredictably.
When: Starting around 25,000 miles; recurs frequently at 55,000, 66,000, and 76,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control engages without driver input; Sudden deceleration; Hesitation during acceleration; Difficulty crossing traffic due to unexpected deceleration; Service traction control and reduced engine power warnings; All dashboard warning lights illuminate; Abnormal grinding noise during turns
Codes mentioned: Traction control system fault, Speed sensor circuit malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced vehicle speed sensor wiring harness; multiple repeat visits (3+ times on at least one vehicle). Dealer diagnosis often unsuccessful or incorrect. One owner reports dealer replaced computer twice for reduced power event on interstate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases per NHTSA complaint forms. No recalls mentioned by owners. Owners note GM recalls exist for similar issues but not always applied to their model year.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Bought my 2013 impala used but around 25000 miles started getting issues with turning left and accelerating. The traction control will engage and cause the car to hesitate. Big issue when trying to cross in front of oncoming traffic. Had into the dealer many times but they do not seem to know what the issue is. Twice I have had all the lights go off and power reduced while on the interstate. They…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 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 cruise control problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 30,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2013/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.