This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Impala engine problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Impala have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 49,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Impala | 9 |
| 2014 Impala | 28 |
| 2015 Impala | 14 |
| 2016 Impala | 5 |
| 2017 Impala (this page) | 15 |
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 engine 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.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Multiple 2017 Impala owners report catalytic converter pipe cracking at the cylinder head mounting flange weld, often at moderate mileage (37,000 to 88,000 miles). One owner experienced the identical failure twice at the same location—first repaired under warranty, then denied coverage on the second replacement. Failures result in loud noise, excessive heat melting fan housings, and cabin odors. Owners and independent repair shops suspect a design or manufacturing defect; one referenced a TSB (NHTSA ID 10116660) but GM has not issued a recall.
Spark plug tube seal failures appear systemic. Multiple owners report cold-start hesitation or stalling after refueling, paired with check engine lights and cylinder misfire codes. Dealerships traced this to porous defects in the cylinder head casting created during manufacturing. The tubes are permanently sealed and non-replaceable, requiring expensive head replacement (quoted at $3,000–$4,000). Owners report this surfaced within a year of purchase, sometimes as early as three months in.
Exhaust leaks also penetrate the cabin, exposing occupants to fumes. One owner's online research linked prolonged exposure to serious health outcomes reported by other owners. Exhaust smell failures and unintended acceleration events occurred without warning lights, and dealership service response ranged from no diagnosis to dismissing the issue as normal operation.
Same Chevrolet Impala engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Catalytic converter pipe cracking and separation
The left-side (front bank) catalytic converter pipe cracks or separates at the cylinder head mounting flange weld. One owner experienced the same failure twice at identical location—first at 37,000 miles under warranty, then again at 88,000 miles. Another owner reported the converter breaking off completely at an unknown mileage. A third owner reported fire visible at the front left catalytic converter flange separation at 50,000 miles. Failures result in loud noise, excessive heat that melted engine fan housing, and exhaust odors seeping into the cabin. Multiple owners suggest this is a design or manufacturing defect affecting multiple 2017 Impalas.
When: 37,000 miles (first failure); 88,000 miles (second failure on same vehicle); 50,000 miles (another vehicle); unknown mileage on other vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine; Abnormal exhaust odor inside cabin; Fire visible at converter flange; Fan housing melted from excessive heat; Catalytic converter broken off or separated from flange
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had first replacement covered under warranty at 37,000 miles; second failure at 88,000 miles denied warranty coverage. Multiple owners report repair shop concerns indicating this could be manufacturer defect. One owner referenced TSB NHTSA ID 10116660.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied warranty coverage on second failure after first replacement. Dealership offered zero recalls according to owner report. GM made aware but offered no assistance. TSB NHTSA ID 10116660 referenced by owner.
Spark plug tube sealing failure with porous cylinder head
Spark plug tubes leak oil due to porous defects in the cylinder head created during manufacturing. The tubes are permanently sealed into the head and cannot be replaced. This causes oil to escape, triggering misfiring codes and check engine lights. Multiple owners report identical symptoms and diagnosis—hesitation on cold start after refueling, check engine light, and cylinder misfire codes. One owner's vehicle experienced this issue three months after purchase. Estimated repair cost is $3,000–$4,000 by dealership, requiring full cylinder head replacement.
When: Within 3–12 months of ownership; one owner reported at roughly 12 months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation to start or stalling when refueling; Check engine light illuminated; Cylinder misfire (Cylinder 3 reported in one case); Oil leaking from spark plug tubes
Codes mentioned: Cylinder 3 misfire (reported in one complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $3,000–$4,000 for repair. One owner mentioned purge valve was also replaced at dealership visit. Owners state tubes are not replaceable—entire cylinder head replacement appears necessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners report this is a known manufacturing problem but no recall issued. Warranty may not apply depending on time of purchase and failure. One owner noted two other buyers had filed similar complaints.
Exhaust leak at manifold or turbocharger
Exhaust fumes leak into the driver and passenger cabin area through a defective exhaust manifold or turbocharger. One owner reports exposure to exhaust odors and notes online complaints linking this issue to serious health effects. Another owner's vehicle failed NC inspection due to the leak. These leaks create unsafe cabin air conditions and potential engine damage or fire risk.
When: Timing not specified in most complaints; one owner noted prolonged exposure before health effects reported
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal exhaust odor in cabin; Exhaust smoke seeping into cabin through air vents; Loud exhaust noise; Failure of state inspection due to exhaust leak
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs provided. One owner's mechanic (acting as email contact) noted concern about fire risk and engine damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but offered no assistance in one case. Owner noted other complaints online linking exhaust exposure to serious health outcomes.
Unintended acceleration and loss of braking control
One vehicle accelerated on its own, requiring extreme pressure on the brake pedal to stop. This occurred at 35,312 miles with no warning indicators illuminated. Dealership provided no assistance or diagnosis.
When: 35,312 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated on its own; Extreme pressure required to brake; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure.
Engine stalling and no-start condition
Engine shuts off suddenly without warning during driving or at stop lights/signs. Vehicle fails to restart for extended periods (at least 30 minutes in one case). One owner reported engine shutdown at 20,000 miles with intermittent no-start failure. Another vehicle shut off at 65 mph due to plastic bag sucked into air filter, though technician indicated this was normal operation and could recur.
When: Starting March 2019 (recurring); 65 mph incident at 10,018 miles (air filter obstruction case); 20,000 miles (no-start case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Failure to restart for extended time; Hesitation or inability to accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: In one case, air filter was replaced and plastic debris removed. Technician could not guarantee recurrence would not happen. Owner noted technician stated vehicle performed as designed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in air filter case but did not return contact's call.
Transmission fluid leak and transmission damage
Transmission develops an internal or external leak causing complete loss of transmission fluid. Vehicle loses ability to shift in any direction or move. One owner experienced this at 35,312 miles, with the transmission severely damaged by the time diagnosis occurred. Multiple repair shops could not identify the underlying cause.
When: Starting March 2019 (recurring stalling); July 2019 (complete transmission failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leaking; Loss of all transmission oil; Vehicle cannot reverse or move forward; Prior recurring stalling episodes
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair shops unable to identify cause. Transmission damage accumulated before diagnosis; repair cost not specified.
AC evaporator core leak
Air conditioning evaporator core leaks refrigerant, causing partial or complete loss of AC function. One complaint reports hot air blowing from vents; another reports total loss of AC at all times (stationary and in motion). Failures occur at relatively low mileage.
When: Approximately 49,000 miles (one case); timing unknown in second case
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of air conditioning; Hot air blowing from vents; Refrigerant leak
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle diagnosed at dealership but not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case.
Engine ticking noise from purge valve
Increasing ticking noise originates from the purge valve area of the engine. Noise began approximately six months after ownership and is increasing in volume. One dealership stated the valve is operating normally, but owner disputes this is normal operation since the noise did not occur when vehicle was purchased.
When: Approximately 6 months into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Increasing ticking noise from engine; Noise originating from purge valve area; Noise progressive in loudness
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership (Bale Chevrolet) inspected and stated valve is operating normally.
Coolant leak from engine
Engine leaking coolant at 35,312 miles. Occurred alongside unintended acceleration and exhaust smoke in cabin. Dealership provided no diagnosis or repair.
When: 35,312 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Brought my car in for routine oil change. Informed dealership of loud exhaust sound. Asked if they could check fo an exhaust leak. Upon picking up my vehicle I was informed the loud exhaust was due to a crack in the catalytic converter. I asked what would cause this to happen. They were unsure of cause it is not a normal issue for the mileage and age of vehicle. They did provide me with a quote…
2017 Chevy Impala 3.6L engine exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold / turbo charger. Resulting in exhaust fumes leaking driver/passenger area could cause fire and or damage to engine. Checking on the customer review and complaints page on the internet I have a lot of other complaints even to the point one persons wife developed lung cancer possible related to inhaling the exhaust according to her…
Starting in march 2019 the 2017 Chevy impala engine would stop and wouldn't start back up for at least 30 minutes. It would happen when I stop at a stop sign or light or whenever I stop the vehicle. Then in july of 2019 the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. It wouldn't reverse or go forward. It was identified as a transmission leak. All the transmission oil had leaked out. Took the…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 engine problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 35,312 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,312; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2017/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.