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 ↗2015 Chevrolet Impala powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Impala have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 84,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Impala | 60 |
| 2012 Impala | 20 |
| 2013 Impala | 30 |
| 2014 Impala | 36 |
| 2015 Impala (this page) | 14 |
| 2016 Impala | 15 |
| 2017 Impala | 12 |
| 2018 Impala | 11 |
| 2019 Impala | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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 powertrain 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 provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report recurring StabiliTrak (electronic stability control) failures that cause sudden, dangerous power loss during highway driving. The system triggers a "Service Stabilitrak" warning, engine power drops substantially, and the vehicle becomes limited to roughly 50 mph or refuses to shift into any driving mode. Multiple owners describe this happening repeatedly on the same vehicle—sometimes after costly Transmission Control Module replacements costing over $1,700. No diagnostic codes are retrieved in many cases, and GM technical service bulletin PIC5992A reportedly applies to the issue, yet dealerships deny this and continue to charge for diagnosis and repair attempts.
Owners also report violent transmission downshifting and shuddering at highway speeds (60–70+ mph), transmission slipping on inclines, and issues where the transmission won't shift smoothly through lower gears. Some vehicles roll backward when parked on inclines or shift unintentionally when the shift lever is bumped. One owner's vehicle lost all electrical power while driving at 79 mph on cruise control due to a faulty ignition key contact.
Diagnostic attempts often reveal nothing—check engine lights illuminate but throw no codes, leaving owners and dealerships unable to pinpoint the root cause. Some vehicles were repaired with used junkyard parts when new replacement parts were unavailable. Across 14 complaints, repair attempts have repeatedly failed to resolve the underlying issues.
Same Chevrolet Impala powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Stabilitrak/StabiliTrak system malfunction with power loss
The StabiliTrak (electronic stability control) system triggers repeatedly, often displaying 'Service Stabilitrak' warning. When activated, the engine loses substantial power, restricting speed to ~50 mph or preventing any driving mode engagement. Check engine, traction control, and stability control lights illuminate. The vehicle may become temporarily unresponsive to throttle. Occurs intermittently and often without diagnostic codes that can be retrieved.
When: First reported as early as 60,000 miles; ongoing through 77,500+ miles. Also reported at 84,000 and other mileages. Multiple recurrences on same vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Stabilitrak warning message; Engine power loss or substantially reduced power; Inability to shift into driving modes; Check engine light illumination; Traction control and stability control warning lights; Vehicle speed capped at ~50 mph when active; Intermittent occurrence with no retrievable codes
Codes mentioned: Stabilitrak warning (no DTC retrieved), Check engine light (no DTC retrieved in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacements include Transmission Control Module (TCM) costing $1,783.15+ and wiring harness. One owner reported repairs with used junkyard parts due to unavailable new parts. Repairs often do not resolve the issue; recurrence reported on same vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM technical service bulletin PIC5992A reportedly applies to this issue, but GM and dealerships claim it does not apply. GM denies responsibility. Multiple owners state GM will only attempt repairs based on computer codes, which they fail to replicate.
Transmission downshift/slipping with violent shuddering
While driving at highway speeds (60–79 mph), the transmission unexpectedly downshifts to a lower gear, causing violent shuddering or jerking. The vehicle may lose power momentarily. Check engine and stability control lights typically illuminate. The shaking is severe enough to cause drivers to stop the vehicle.
When: Around 84,000 miles reported; also at 79,361 miles in another case.
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected downshift to lower gear; Violent shuddering or violent jerking during downshift; Loss of engine power during event; Check engine light illumination; Stability control warning light; Unresponsiveness to throttle after event
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Stability control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed need for Transmission Control Module and wiring harness replacement. In one case the TCM was replaced twice due to recurrence of the same failure.
Transmission sensor failure/dirty transmission fluid
Transmission speed or condition sensor fails or transmission fluid becomes contaminated. Vehicle speed is capped at approximately 50 mph. Check engine light illuminates. Diagnostic work at dealerships identified transmission sensor needing replacement or dirty transmission fluid requiring flush.
When: 79,361 miles reported.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle speed limited to ~50 mph; Check engine light illumination; Sluggish acceleration
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership flushed transmission fluid; another diagnosed transmission sensor needing replacement but repair was not completed.
Torque converter failure
Torque converter fails, causing the transmission to downshift abnormally and the vehicle to shudder. No warning lights present initially, but failure recurs after restart.
When: 171,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal downshift; Shuddering during operation; Failure recurs after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed torque converter failure requiring replacement. Vehicle was not repaired.
Transmission slipping and shaking on acceleration/inclines
Automatic transmission cannot smoothly shift through first and second gears during acceleration or when starting on inclines. Vehicle shakes, rumbles, and slows down unexpectedly. Engine bogs down. Check engine light flashes. Dealership reprogrammed transmission without success.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to shift smoothly through first two gears; Shaking and rumbling during acceleration; Engine bogging; Vehicle slowing unexpectedly; Flashing check engine light
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission was reprogrammed at dealership. Reprogramming did not resolve the issue.
Shift cable/linkage malfunction
Gear shift lever moves or is easily moved unintentionally. Vehicle shifts from Drive to Neutral when shift lever is bumped or touched. Owner states this has occurred for approximately two years. Dealership claims the behavior is normal; owner disagrees.
When: Occurring for approximately two years.
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever moves unintentionally when bumped or touched; Vehicle shifts from Drive to Neutral unexpectedly; Risk of unintended shift to Park
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated behavior is normal and no repair was made.
Vehicle rolling in Park or Reverse/Drive transitions
Vehicle rolls backward when in Park on an incline despite brake application. Also rolls when transitioning from Reverse to Drive. Indicates a transmission holding or park pawl issue.
When: 136,000 miles for one incident; another owner reports two-year history.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward in Park on incline; Requires brake pedal depression to prevent rolling; Rolling occurs during Reverse-to-Drive transition
Transmission vibration at specific speeds
Slight vibration occurs at 20–30 mph during gear shifts, repeats at the same speed range, then resolves. Occurs both on inclines and level ground. No warning lights or codes present.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration during 20–30 mph gear shifts; Vibration repeats at same speed range; Vibration self-resolves
Ignition key/electrical contact issue causing complete power loss
Vehicle loses all electrical power (engine, lights, brakes) while driving at highway speed on cruise control. Issue traced to a faulty key or ignition electrical contact. A slight bump to the key or keyring, or even hitting a bump while driving, causes the vehicle to shut off completely.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; Loss of all exterior and interior lights; Loss of brake function (likely power assist); Vehicle shuts off from light contact with key or keyring; Vehicle shuts off from road bumps causing key movement
Winding noise on right turns with hesitation on acceleration
Vehicle makes a winding or whining noise when making a right-hand turn. Vehicle hesitates when attempting to accelerate while entering traffic. Owner characterizes as a hazard.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Winding or whining noise on right turns; Hesitation to accelerate when entering traffic
Electrical warning system malfunction (Power Steering Drive with Care)
Vehicle displays 'Power Steering Drive with Care' warning alternating with 'Stabilitrak' warning during driving. When either warning appears, vehicle jerks slightly, emergency/park light activates for ~2 seconds, and cruise control disables automatically. Issue also preceded by brief loss of all lighting control for ~10 seconds, recurring over a two-month period.
When: Began approximately two months before report; now occurring regularly.
Symptoms owners cite: Power Steering Drive with Care warning message; Stabilitrak warning message; Vehicle jerking when warnings appear; Emergency/park light activation; Automatic cruise control disengagement; Brief loss of all lighting control
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Drive with Care warning, Stabilitrak warning
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The manufacturer patented Stabilitrak system continues to fail on my vehicle. Initial ODI 114406439. Dealership charged $1,7832.15 to replace transmission control module (TMC) on 11/5/21. On 12/22/21 vehicle indicated the exact issue (Service Stabilitrak), took vehicle to same dealership, awaiting response. The car is not drivable when "Service Stabilitrak" is indicated as engine power is…
Car was traveling at 79 MPH on highway in cruise control when car lost all power (engine, exterior/interior lights, brakes, etc.) was able to get car to the shoulder, and restart the vehicle. Later determined the issue to be with the key. A slight bump of the key, e.g. Tapping the attached keyring or hitting a bump while driving, causes the car to turn off . This was a rental car rented…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 54,000 and 136,000 miles, with the median around 84,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 136,000. 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/2015/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.