This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Impala have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 52,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Impala | 21 |
| 2010 Impala | 13 |
| 2011 Impala | 13 |
| 2012 Impala | 14 |
| 2013 Impala (this page) | 13 |
| 2014 Impala | 10 |
| 2015 Impala | 3 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for furthe
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Chevrolet Impalas consistently report front-end grinding noises tied to control arms and wheel bearings, particularly during turns or acceleration. The grinding appears in the early life (14,000 miles) and continues through higher mileages (37,000–80,000 miles). Control arm repairs in one case recurred within a month, then again on the opposite side.
Wheel bearing failure is a standout issue. Multiple owners had bearings replaced only to experience the same failure again; one owner had the same hub replaced twice and the problem persisted. Bearing failure correlates with multiple warning lights: ABS, Traction Control, Stabilitrak, and Brake Assist all illuminating together.
The braking and stability system problems are widespread and dangerous. Owners report unintended brake engagement and jerking while driving normally, on highways, during turns, and even in reverse. One owner's vehicle stalled when turning; another was rear-ended after the front wheel seized. Dealers often charge diagnosis fees without finding the cause, and some repairs (brake replacement, bearing replacement) haven't stopped the failures. Vibration issues and false icy-condition warnings despite clear weather also appear. Total repair costs cited exceed $5,000 in one case with no improvement.
Same Chevrolet Impala suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Control arm noise and failure
Grinding noise when turning or backing out, particularly on left and right turns. Multiple reports of grinding from lower engine/front area during steering inputs. Owner #1 had control arms supposedly repaired twice on the same vehicle within months, yet the noise returned.
When: 14,000 miles and beyond; recurring within 1-4 month intervals after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise during turns; Grinding noise when backing out and turning steering wheel; Noise from lower engine/front area during acceleration while turning
Repairs/costs cited: Control arm replacement attempted multiple times (narratives #1); repairs did not resolve issue
Wheel bearing hub assembly failure
Front wheel bearings failing, frequently on driver side. Multiple narratives report bearing replacement that either recurred shortly after or required a second replacement. Bearing failure can trigger ABS, traction control, and stability warnings.
When: 37,000 to 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise during turns; ABS warning light; Service Stabilitrak warning; Service Traction Control light; Front wheel may seize (narrative #3); Abnormal grinding sound with vehicle hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel hub bearing replacement performed in narratives #3, #4, #5, #7, #11, #12; failures recurred in #3, #4, #5, #11, #12
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in narratives #3, #5, #7, #8
ABS/Traction Control/Stability system malfunction with unintended braking
Multiple system warning lights illuminating simultaneously (ABS, Traction Control, Stabilitrak, Brake Assist) with unintended brake engagement or brake jerking. Occurs during normal driving, acceleration, turning, and reversing. False icy-condition warnings reported despite clear weather. Loss of power and dimming lights noted.
When: 44,000 to 52,000 miles; some reports indicate 6+ months of recurring failures
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminates; Service Traction Control light illuminates; Service Stabilitrak light illuminates; Service Brake Assist light illuminates; Unintended brake application/jerking while driving; Loss of power; Dimming headlights; False icy-condition warning messages; Brakes make grinding noise when pedal depressed; Vehicle hesitation; Engine stall when turning (narrative #9)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers charged diagnosis fees but found nothing in some cases (#2); brakes and hub bearings replaced in #5; front driver side wheel sensor wire harness and passenger side wheel bearing replacement in #7; repairs did not permanently resolve failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in narratives #2, #5, #8
Steering component wear/failure (tie rods, stabilizer bar)
Narrative #3 reports replacement of front driver and passenger side tie rods and stabilizer bar after front wheel seizure during turning. These components were identified as needing replacement alongside wheel hub assembly.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheel seizure during right turn; Vehicle rear-ended by another car due to loss of control
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rods and stabilizer bar replaced in addition to wheel hub assembly; failure recurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in narrative #3
Vibration/shaking at certain speeds
Narrative #13 reports vehicle shaking or feeling as though tire may come off while driving, particularly at certain speeds and when slowing down. Persisted after tire replacement and alignment check.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shaking/vibration at certain speeds; Shaking when slowing down; Sensation that tire may come off
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced and alignment checked; issue persisted
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 45,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.