2015 Chevrolet Impala Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report electrical trouble tied to the side blind zone / object detection modules, where moisture and corrosion behind the rear bumper set off a cascade of warnings, dead gauges and no-start conditions. Power steering assist shutting off while driving is the second big theme, and many reports land in the 55,000-110,000 mile range. Other recurring items include trunk water leaks through the taillight gaskets, air bag warning lights, and occasional transmission shudder or harsh downshifts.

1. 1
   Lane departure

   Blind spot / side detection module failure

   • 90 complaints (30%)
   • median 62,778 mi at 4.5 yrs old (54 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,136 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners describe the side blind zone alert indicator in the mirror blinking on its own, followed by a dash message to service the side detection system. Many report that the failure spreads: the instrument panel goes dark or flickers, multiple warnings appear, the car may not start, and in some cases a burning wire smell was noticed. Dealers and mechanics told owners the sensors and wiring harness behind the rear bumper had corroded from moisture, and parts were often back-ordered; a few owners mentioned a special coverage program for the module that they had exceeded by mileage or time. Typically reported between about 55,000 and 110,000 miles, often in cold, wet or salt-road climates.

   What to check: Ask whether the side detection modules have been replaced or have any special coverage remaining, and look for corrosion or moisture at the sensors behind the rear bumper. Confirm all dash warnings clear on a test drive and that the blind spot indicators behave normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2015 chevy Impala service side detection system warning alerted and all of a sudden the entire electrical system shut down and came back on while driving the vehicle on the highway.. Took the vehicle to the dealership was told to contact GM and was told that due to mileage there was nothing that could done. Upon research found out that my vehicle is not the only one that experience this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11266176, filed 2019-10, 110,000 miles

   “The passenger side blind zone indicator light in the mirror is malfunctioning. Even when the vehicle is off the the light is flickering on and off. I had this exact same problem occur while the vehicle was under warranty and was replaced. I even asked if there was a way to assure that this wasn't going to happen again. The dealer told me that it wouldn't, behold it's back but now my vehicle is out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315351, filed 2020-02, 145,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out while driving

   • 52 complaints (17%)
   • median 60,350 mi at 4.4 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,900 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners report a "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" message and a sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes at highway speed, leaving the wheel very hard to turn; some say it returned after a restart and others had it recur. Complaints describe dealers replacing the rack or the entire electric power steering assembly, with repair estimates around several thousand dollars. A few describe the wheel locking up or feeling loose before the warning appeared. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 85,000 miles, with some at lower mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, check that the steering feels consistent and that no power steering warning appears, and ask whether the rack or steering assist assembly has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The power steering on my vehicle went out while driving on the epxressway with no advance warning. I received an alert on my dash to service power sterring and that was all. Per the dealership this was caused by a catastrophic internal failure of the steering system when a gear became bound up by a broken suspension line and could have caused a serious accident”

   NHTSA complaint #11405735, filed 2021-03, 72,000 miles

   “Going down the road I had a steering with care light pop up. And I had trouble controlling the vehicle. After turning the vehicle off for a couple minutes there is not problem. Currently I am terrified of driving the vehicle in the sense of loosing control or even my life.”

   NHTSA complaint #11315462, filed 2020-03, 5 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Water in trunk from taillight gaskets

   • 19 complaints (6%)
   • median 56,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report water pooling in the trunk and spare wheel well, traced to the taillight housings and their gaskets letting rain in. Complaints describe a musty, moldy smell in the cabin and, in some cases, corrosion in the trunk floor after the water sat. Dealers reportedly replaced the seals or gaskets, and owners noted that a thicker gasket exists; several said the repair was not covered or that water still got in afterward. Reported from around 25,000 to 100,000 miles, often noticed after rain or car washes.

   What to check: Open the trunk and check the spare tire well and carpet for dampness, staining or rust, and inspect the taillight gaskets for cracking. Ask whether the seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake lights gaskets are faulty from the factory and allow water to fill the trunk when it rains. Which leads to mold and mildew smell throughout the vehicle. Gm has produced a gasket that is thicker and corrects the problem but refuse to issue a recall and dealer says its not covered by warranty. I've spent hundreds at dealerships trying to find find cause of the water.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402509, filed 2021-03, 40,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle and filling up the wheel well. The contact stated that the water was entering through the driver’s side rear taillight housing. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11468239, filed 2022-06, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and occupant sensing

   • 28 complaints (9%)
   • median 62,172 mi at 4.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on, sometimes with an audible chime or a passenger seat belt warning, and in one case both front air bags deploying without a crash. Dealers were sometimes unable to reproduce or diagnose the light, and one owner was told the object detection module and harness had corroded. Several owners referenced a recall for the occupant sensing system, though some were told their vehicle was not included. Spread across roughly 25,000 to 140,000 miles, with no clear mileage pattern.

   Recall 15V465000

   What to check: Check that the air bag light comes on at startup and goes out, and ask whether the occupant sensing recall or any air bag module repairs were done for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Side airbag warning system indication. I took the car to the dealer and was told the object detection module and wire harness had failed due to corrosion and it would not be covered under warranty. I researched this issue and found that this is a common issue for GM vehicles. The modules are located in a position that has no protection from the elements. To make it worse, the module actually has a vent that allows moisture to infiltrate the module. This is a design flaw that GM is well aware of. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11309172, filed 2020-02, 80,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed inadvertently without a warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was still awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11422752, filed 2021-06, 106,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Harsh downshift and shudder (torque converter)

   • 8 complaints (3%)
   • median 84,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners report the transmission slipping, unexpectedly downshifting and the car shuddering or lurching, sometimes with the check engine and stability control lights on. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing a failed torque converter or transmission control module and wiring harness, and in one case a vibration at 20-30 mph during gear changes. Some owners describe repeated visits without a durable fix. Mostly reported from about 60,000 miles upward, including several above 130,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive at highway speed, feel for shudder or harsh downshifts under light acceleration, and ask for transmission service records or whether the torque converter or control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have replaced my hub bearings on my both front tires twice . I continue to get a grinding noise and jerking while I'm trying to accelerate. While reversing, turning left or right this happens. Also doesn't matter the speed. This is very dangerous as it almost caused me to get into several accidents. I put my money and trust into chevy. This should be absolutely be a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11407807, filed 2021-04, 89,866 miles

   “There is a slight vibration around 20 to 30 MPH as gears are shifting and it goes away...does it repeatedly at same position and everything goes back to normal...no codes or lights on dash happens mostly in motion on inclines and even ground at same speed grouping”

   NHTSA complaint #11391100, filed 2021-02, 151,345 miles

Buying note. Check the trunk for leaks, confirm the blind spot and air bag warning systems work without dash messages, and test the steering and transmission behavior on a highway drive. Service records showing module replacements or prior steering and transmission work are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.