2018 Chevrolet Impala Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2018 Impala most often describe air conditioning failures tied to evaporator core leaks and refrigerant loss, followed by transmission shifting and slipping problems. Power steering loss, sudden engine power loss or shut-off, and airbag warning or passenger seat sensor faults are also described. Reported mileage varies widely, from under 1,000 miles to over 120,000, and many complaints do not list mileage.

1. 1
   Other or unknown

   Evaporator core leaks and A/C failures

   • 14 complaints (24%)
   • median 45,365 mi at 3.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe air conditioning that blows hot air, stops working, or loses refrigerant, and some note coolant or other odors in the cabin. Evaporator core leaks are the most frequently named explanation, and according to complaints, dealers replaced an evaporator kit, coil, or compressor in some reports. Some describe a special coverage adjustment for evaporator failures and say the manufacturer declined to repair under it, and some say the A/C failed again after a repair. Where mileage is listed, the A/C reports fall between about 39,000 and 60,000 miles, and the others do not list mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the A/C on its coldest setting and check that cold air stays steady, and watch for a coolant smell from the vents. Ask whether the evaporator, compressor, or refrigerant has been repaired, and whether the dealer followed the service bulletin for diagnosing A/C concerns.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Getting a second look at air conditioning. I was told the compressor could be leaking as there has been no freon for over a month or two. The freon is 120/pound and could cost 1000, he mentioned for freon alone. This is a 2018, purchased last year and I'm dealing with a compressor issue as well as very expensive freon?”

   NHTSA complaint #11405407, filed 2021-03

   “Ii purchased the car new. at 3 years and 3 months the evaporator core failed dumping the Freon. I realize you stated the A/C is not a safety item but I read many complaint on this vehicle on the internet. I am a retired mechanic and the failure rate for evaporators is very low. I changed out maybe 10 in 30 years working on vehicles. This needs to be looked into and addressed by GM and corrected. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

   NHTSA complaint #11456776, filed 2022-03
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting, slipping, or failing

   • 15 complaints (25%)
   • median 72,650 mi at 4.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe rough or hard shifts, slipping, shuddering, and gears skipping, and some describe hesitation or a car that will not accelerate normally. Some report the transmission shifting rapidly into Park and back into gear while driving, and in some reports the problem returned after shifter repairs. Some describe transmission replacement or large repair estimates from the dealer. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 38,000 to 128,000 miles, and a report places the first symptoms at just over 65,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and then at highway speed, and check for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, or shudder between gears. Ask whether the shifter or transmission has been serviced and request the repair history, since some complaints describe repairs that did not resolve the problem.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gears skipping and shruddering between 2nd and 4th gear. Chevrolet dealership recommended engine mounts replaces which was a false diagnose. After further inspection and diagnosing, they revealed that my transmission needs to be replaced for 6200$. I paid the 6200$ and now transmission shifting hard into 2nd gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11362612, filed 2020-10, 71,300 miles

   “The transmission failed, shifting is no longer smooth. It hesitates and shakes the entire car, and the car slows down to almost a crawl uphill. I understand this is an issue with Chevrolet Impalas. So now I have an $8200 bill for a problem I was never told about, and that GM knew that it existed. So, yes, the issue has been identified, reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The warning light came on when the issue happened, so it was already too late. The issue began with just over 65,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11746623, filed 2026-06
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering loss or stiff steering

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe power steering that suddenly stops assisting, leaving the wheel very hard to turn, or a steering wheel that is inoperable. Warning messages such as a power steering drive-with-care message are described in some reports, and dealers have diagnosed a failed power steering gear or electric power steering motor. Some owners say the failure came with no warning light, and some say the repair was very expensive. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 26,000 to 74,000 miles, and some describe the failure happening while driving or while turning in a driveway.

   What to check: With the engine running, turn the steering wheel fully from side to side and watch for power steering or steering warning messages on the dash. Ask whether the power steering motor or steering gear has been replaced, since complaints describe failures that needed these parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving and parked the car at the store. After checking out I went to the car got ready to leave and started backing out and the car would not turn to the left at all. I took it to the shop and was told they do not see anything wrong with my car but a steering message is coming up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11716610, filed 2026-02

   “As I was driving home from my place of employment which is exactly 30 miles from where I live my Steering Assist went out and it was very hard to steer and to even stay in the lane which I was driving I managed to get the car home and did an under carriage inspection and there was no damage still kind of shaken from the power steering going out I checked for the power steering pump and the power steering fluid reserve but found out through my owner's manual that I have electronic power steering I took the car by my local Chevrolet dealer and …”

   NHTSA complaint #11518465, filed 2023-04
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine power loss or sudden shut-off

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 23,997 mi at 1.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2022

   Owners describe the engine losing power suddenly while driving, sometimes with a reduced engine power message or a check engine light. Some describe the engine shutting off during an automatic stop, which then requires a restart, sometimes with a hard jerk into gear. Some reports describe accidentally pressing a start-stop or engine button while driving, which shut the engine off on the road. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 300 to 28,000 miles, and the power loss is often described at highway speed.

   What to check: On a test drive, confirm the engine restarts normally after an automatic stop and that no reduced-power or check engine message appears. Ask whether any stalling or power-loss repairs are in the service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Stabilitrack and engine light came on at the same time with a message that said, 'engine power is reduced'. This occurred as I was driving on the highway. The vehicle gradually slowed, but I was able to maintain a speed of 55 MPH. I was unable to accelerate quickly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11152371, filed 2018-11, 19,820 miles

   “This was a hertz rental car I picked up at the orlando, fl airport. June 2, 2019. There was no operators manual in the car. It was 10 pm and I had to drive 90 miles to my destination. About 30 minutes on the highway to check oil light came on. I tried to clear the notice by pressing several buttons on the dash board. Then I thought I found the correct button and pressed it. It was the car start and off button. The car immediately shut off including all the lights. O was going 65 MPH and suddenly the road was pitch black. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11222108, filed 2019-06, 28,174 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning, sensor, or deployment problems

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 62,112 mi at 2.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on, often tied to a passenger seat sensor or airbag module, and in some reports dealers pointed to the passenger seat airbag module, sensor, or connectors. Some say the repair was declined as outside warranty because of mileage or because no recall applied. Some owners express concern about whether the passenger airbag would deploy in a crash, and other reports describe a front airbag that did not deploy in a collision and a driver airbag that deployed while the vehicle was parked. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 2,000 to 116,000 miles, and the passenger-seat warning reports are near 62,000 miles.

   What to check: Watch for the airbag warning light at startup and ask a dealer to read the airbag module codes, including the passenger seat sensor when the seat is occupied. Ask whether any airbag repair was done under warranty or recall, since complaints describe repairs declined because of mileage or the absence of a recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 16th july 2020 while driving bell sounds went off in my car, on dash airbag warning came on and got an onstar alert that airbag malfunction. Onstar said to get it to dealership asap. Yesterday 20th july dealership told me that front passenger seat airbag module, front passenger airbag plate in seat and something else airbag is wrong. Told me not covered under warranty in which since it is a 2018 I couldn't believe it. They said because have 62,000 miles is why. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11340587, filed 2020-07, 62,125 miles

   “Passenger side front seat. When occupied, airbag sensor located inside the seat is malfunctioning. My husbands safety is at risk when he's in the car. He tries moving the seat up, back, etc. Sometimes works and the airbag sensor works. We are fearing that if there were any accident or need, that his life would be in danger if the airbag didn't deploy. This shouldn't be at the consumers expense as this is a safety issue. This has been ongoing for over 6 months.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687573, filed 2025-09

Buying note. Before buying a 2018 Impala, test the air conditioning, transmission, and power steering on a test drive, and ask for records of any airbag warning light repairs. Run the VIN through the official recall lookup, since owners describe problems in each of these areas and some were told repairs were not covered.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 57 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.