This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Impala body problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 66,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Impala | 4 |
| 2012 Impala | 4 |
| 2013 Impala | 3 |
| 2014 Impala (this page) | 18 |
| 2015 Impala | 11 |
| 2016 Impala | 3 |
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Chevrolet Impala we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Paintless Dent Repair Process.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 18 reports is water intrusion into the trunk and spare tire compartment. Owners consistently describe water filling the spare tire well after rain or car washes, even when the vehicle is garaged. The spare tire cover stays dry while the well pools water, pointing to a leak in the trunk structure or seals rather than simple exposure. This moisture triggers mold and mildew growth throughout the interior, producing odors strong enough to make occupants sick. One owner identified fungal growth inside the passenger-side frame rail; items stored in the trunk—cameras, papers, clothing—rot from mold exposure.
Dealers trace the leak to faulty tail light gaskets and seals, and GM issued TSB 10092869-0335 in 2014 to replace them. Yet the intrusion persists in multiple vehicles, even years after the recall repair. Owners report dealerships refusing warranty coverage, claiming the defect is not warrantable, and quoting diagnostic fees owners must absorb. One owner spent roughly $1,000 trying to resolve the issue without success and ultimately abandoned the vehicle.
Two owners also reported sunroof failures—cloth adhesive giving way during normal opening and causing the cover to tear and flap, blocking rear view—and one owner described a panoramic glass roof "exploding" at highway speed with no external impact. A fifth complaint involved dashboard reflections impairing windshield vision.
Same Chevrolet Impala body reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Water intrusion into trunk and spare tire well
Rainwater and standing water accumulate in the trunk, particularly in the spare tire compartment, leading to moisture buildup even when the vehicle is garaged or parked. The spare tire cover remains dry while the well fills with water, indicating a structural leak pathway rather than simple exposure.
When: As early as delivery (2013–2014 model year onset); recurring after rain or car wash throughout ownership; documented at 66,000–67,000 miles in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Standing water visible in spare tire well after rain or car wash; Wet carpet and interior floor panels (passenger side front and rear); Mildew and musty odors throughout vehicle interior; Mold and fungus growth on trunk floor and trim; Damage to personal items stored in trunk (cameras, papers, clothing); Possible rust formation on spare tire and structural components
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships unable or unwilling to repair; diagnostic costs denied under warranty. One owner spent ~$1,000 attempting diagnosis and remediation. Dealer identification: Pohanka Chevrolet, Centennial Chevrolet (Uniontown, PA).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10092869-0335 documented tail light gasket defect and repair in 2014. GM customer service and dealerships declined warranty coverage post-recall or after warranty expiration, citing non-coverage despite known structural issue. No factory solution confirmed as effective by complainants.
Tail light and trunk seal leakage
Defective gaskets and seals between the tail lights and trunk structure allow water to penetrate during rain and car washes. A factory recall for tail light gaskets was issued in 2014 but the underlying water intrusion persisted or recurred in multiple vehicles.
When: Present at delivery or manifesting within first 1–2 years; leak recurred 4 years post-recall repair in at least one case
Symptoms owners cite: Water entry visible after rain or car wash; Leak path traced to tail lamp seals by dealership inspection; Spare tire compartment fills with water despite trunk cover remaining dry
Repairs/costs cited: Tail light gasket replacement performed under TSB 10092869-0335 (2014), but did not resolve water intrusion in all cases. Dealers reported inability to access or fix the defect completely.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10092869-0335 issued and repair completed in 2014 for some vehicles; however, water intrusion continued in multiple models. Recall for tail light gaskets documented but effectiveness limited.
Mold and fungus growth in frame rail and interior
Chronic moisture exposure has caused mold, mildew, and fungus growth in frame rails, trunk floor, and throughout the interior. One owner identified fungal growth inside the passenger-side frame rail. The issue creates persistent odors and poses potential health concerns.
When: Within 1–5 years of ownership; growth compounds over time with repeated water intrusion
Symptoms owners cite: Horrible, pungent mold/mildew odor that makes occupants sick; Visible mold and fungus growth on trunk floor trim; Fungal growth identified in frame rail cavity (passenger side); Mold formation on both sides of trunk; Growth begins within 1.5 years of ownership
Repairs/costs cited: Pohanka Chevrolet unable to access or repair fungal growth in frame rail. No factory procedure available. One owner arranged independent lab testing; another owner spent ~$1,000 on diagnosis without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships declined warranty coverage, stating repair is not covered under new vehicle warranty. No manufacturer guidance on remediation provided.
Sunroof cloth adhesive failure and glass roof structural issue
Panoramic and cloth sunroofs exhibit adhesive failure during normal opening, causing the cloth cover to detach or tear and obstruct rear visibility. One owner reported spontaneous glass roof failure (described as 'explosion') while driving at highway speed with no external impact.
When: During normal operation; one sunroof failure at highway speed (70 mph) with no reported impact; glass failure at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Cloth sunroof cover catches or tears during opening retraction; Adhesive bond failure allowing cloth to flap and obstruct view; Tearing sounds audible from panel during failure; Sunroof glass spontaneously failed (owner reports 'exploded') during highway driving; Dashcam confirmed no external object impact in glass failure case
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported cases; owners did not return to dealer for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives.
Dashboard reflection in windshield impairing vision
Dashboard reflections appear in the windshield, creating a glare or obstruction that impairs forward vision. The defect was present early in the vehicle's life (reported at 7 miles).
When: From delivery (7 miles noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard reflection visible in windshield; Impaired forward vision due to glare or obstruction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; vehicle not taken to dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no response documented.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2014 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 body problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 21,000 and 99,600 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 99,600. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2014/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.