Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 441 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Impala, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 59 | 13% |
| Air bags | 55 | 12% |
| Power train | 28 | 6% |
| Engine | 22 | 5% |
| Steering | 16 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 16 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check air bag and service air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The unibody of this vehicle has become completely rusted/rotted to where the car is undriveable. This has been inspected by a service center, and I was told it is dangerous and beyond repair. I am sick about this, as t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I bought a used car as is for $6700.00 and was told that the car was nothing wrong with it but within the first month 07/02/25 the car has been to 3 different shops and in the shop 5 different times all due to brake prob
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and unattended in a parking lot. After about ten minutes, the contact was unlocking the vehicle and noticed fire inside t
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I started my vehicle in the morning to let it warm up. I come back out to get myself and my son in the vehicle to go to work and take him to school. My dash upon entry had a check engine light on, and the message it disp
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound while starting and while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the grinding
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
recall # 36110. our car is having the same issues that are indicated with this recall but GM refuses to include our vehicle in this recall. Front passenger seat sensor is shorting out against the seat frame which is tu
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet Impala. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Risk: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resul
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Che
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certai
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED
Risk: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE
| Reliability raw | 53 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 441 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 59 of them (13%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 53/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.