The now-discontinued Chevy Impala ran for decades. As a result, there are plenty of used model years for potential owners to consider. However, not every model year is an equal prospect, and the Chevrolet model has its issues. Check out some of the Chevy Impala’s most common problems and whether the Chevrolet model is reliable enough for your driveway. 

Do Impalas have transmission problems?

Depending on the model year, some Chevy Impalas have transmission problems. For instance, RepairPal says the three most common problems that owners report are transmission-related. 

• Erratic shifting due to a faulty transmission pressure control solenoid
• Shifter failure leading to a stuck ignition key
• Jerky or jolting operation

The faulty transmission pressure control solenoid is the most commonly reported problem among Impala owners. According to RepairPal, 1,417 drivers have reported the issue, which usually affects the Chevrolet model at around 117,000 miles. Moreover, over 500 people have complained about the stuck key problems, which generally impact Impalas after 100,000 miles. 

In addition to transmission issues, many model years of the Impala sedan exhibit some engine issues. For instance, 308 owners have complained about a check engine light after a gas cap issue. Also, some components could leak at higher mileage; a failed intake manifold gasket could result in an oil leak, and a faulty power steering hose could leak at around 118,000 miles. 

What year Impalas are best?

According to CarComplaints.com, the most recent model years of Impala are the best for reliability. Moreover, the 10th-generation cars are generally more reliable than the 9th-gen and 8th-gen models. 

In terms of transmission issues, RepairPal indicates that the faulty solenoid problem could impact model years from 2000 to 2015. Also, the stuck key problem could affect any Impala model from 2000 to 2016. 

On the other hand, CarComplaints.com says many of the most significant reliability issues reside in the 8th-generation cars from 2000 to 2005. For instance, the 2005 Chevrolet Impala is the worst model year for reliability, with hundreds of reports of faulty gauge clusters.

How many miles will my Chevy Impala last?

Even with owner-documented transmission issues, the Chevy Impala has the potential to last. The model came in second on iSeeCars’ longest-lasting cars study, with a potential lifespan of around 230,343 miles. That puts it right behind the Toyota Avalon, which has the potential to cover 245,710 miles. 

Of course, these figures don’t reflect the maximum potential mileage of a Chevy Impala. Instead, owners who employ proper care and maintenance could see their cars reach 250,000 to 300,000 miles. 

Is the Chevy Impala a reliable car?

Despite owner-reported transmission problems, the Chevy Impala is a reliable car. For instance, the Bow Tie’s full-size car gets a 4.0 out of 5.0 according to RepairPal’s reliability scale. As a result, the Impala is above-average in terms of dependability in the segment. 

Moreover, the Impala’s typical annual repair budget of $568 means the Chevrolet model has average ownership costs. While it might not be the most reliable car in the segment, it is the No. 5 most reliable in the group and an altogether dependable option.