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 ↗2017 Chevrolet Impala powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Impala have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain 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 →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Impala | 30 |
| 2014 Impala | 36 |
| 2015 Impala | 14 |
| 2016 Impala | 15 |
| 2017 Impala (this page) | 12 |
| 2018 Impala | 11 |
| 2019 Impala | 4 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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
Twelve complaints center on powertrain failures in the 2017 Chevrolet Impala, with transmission problems dominating the cluster. Owners describe loss of forward momentum during acceleration, severe jerking during gear transitions (particularly 1st to 2nd), and hard shaking that caused injury or vehicle damage. One owner reported stalling at 45 mph that caused the car to jerk violently, lose control, and crash into a concrete divider.
Transmission issues appear as early as 37,000 miles and continue through 164,000 miles. Multiple owners report the transmission jerking progressively worse before dealers recommend complete replacement. One vehicle had transmission cooler line leaks. Several dealers diagnosed torque converter failure or transmission oil cooler hose problems; one independent mechanic also flagged transmission failure alongside a catalytic converter issue.
Supporting failures include an engine stall at low mileage with emission and check engine warnings (where battery and valve repairs didn't fix it), catalytic converter faults, and one power steering loss incident. Check engine codes cited include P236, P069E, and generic ECM/TCM warnings. Several owners note the transmission overheat warning light illuminated during failures.
Same Chevrolet Impala powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loss of power and jerking during acceleration
Vehicle loses forward momentum or revs without responding, accompanied by jerking and hesitation, sometimes progressing to complete transmission failure. Multiple owners report the vehicle jerking hard during gear transitions (1st to 2nd especially) or at highway speeds under cruise control.
When: Between 37,000 and 164,000 miles; intermittent at first, becoming recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of forward momentum while ascending grades; Engine revs but vehicle doesn't respond; Hard jerking during acceleration and gear shifts; Jerking between 1st and 2nd gear; Transmission overheat warning light; Vehicle stalling after jerking
Codes mentioned: Transmission overheat warning, Check engine light, ECM/TCM codes, P236 code, P069E code
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement recommended by dealers; one owner reported torque converter issues; transmission cooler hose replacement attempted on one vehicle
Transmission slipping and slow/no gear engagement
Transmission fails to shift into gear promptly or at all, or slips out of gear. Indicates internal transmission mechanical failure or control module malfunction.
When: As early as 112,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift into gear; Slow to shift into gear; Transmission slipping
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission needed per dealership diagnosis
Power steering loss
Power steering function lost while driving, with warning message displayed on instrument cluster.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering during operation; Power steering service warning message displayed
Catalytic converter failure with check engine light
Check engine light illumination related to catalytic converter fault, sometimes concurrent with transmission issues.
When: 129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Catalytic converter failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replaced; failure recurred after repair
Engine stalling with emission system fault
Vehicle stalls without warning while in motion, accompanied by emission system and check engine warnings. One incident resulted in loss of vehicle control and crash.
When: 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at highway speed; Vehicle jerks forward when stalling; Emission system warning light illuminated; Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Emission system fault, Unknown valve leak (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced; valve leak repaired; both repairs failed to resolve issue
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle jerks and shakes when I accelerate. Took to dealership stated torque issue in transmission. New transmission needed. Purchased Nov 2020 from same dealership only has 112500 miles. This should be recall.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and ascending a grade, the vehicle lost forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle revved but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she shifted the vehicle into reverse (R) and drove back down the hill. The contact stated that the transmission…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 88,219 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/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.