2018 Chevrolet Impala problems
The 2018 Chevrolet Impala has 59 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2018 Chevrolet Impala has 59 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 11 complaints, typically surfacing around 83,825 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Impala | 298 | 3 |
| 2016 Impala | 110 | 0 |
| 2017 Impala | 116 | 0 |
| 2018 Impala (this page) | 59 | 0 |
| 2019 Impala | 28 | 0 |
| 2020 Impala | 15 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Impala? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 83,825 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 43,591 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 50,237 mi · ~$700 to fix
- airbags — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 60,556 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 60,556 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2018 Chevrolet Impala
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The car was stopped on a parking lot exit ramp. When the car ahead of me moved forward I took my foot of of the brake so I could move forward. When I applied the break to stop, the breaks did not work and I hit the car in front of me.
the vehicle had a sudden loss of power steering. No warnings or indications of any isues just immediate loss of the ability to steer
Adaptive cruise control (acc) issues scenario 1 first day I was traveling at approximately 70 MPH. As I would in any of my other 100 + cars I've owned, I held the cruise control 'set' button expecting the speed to gradually decrease. The impala much to my surprise, with…
I was sold a used car w/ undisclosed accidents. Had many issues within first few weeks. Had transmission cooler lines replaced after they burst. Radiator, compressor, condenser, and much more. Then the Airbag light came on. Dealership said connectors were bad. Fixed it. Light…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Chevrolet Impala is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Chevrolet Impala does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 11 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,825 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Impala a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 59 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 83,825 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,825 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 83,825 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Impala has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Chevrolet Impala?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 59 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.