Problems · by component

2013 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Impala cite engine, 11% of all 272 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
30
11% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My 2013 Impala Ltz Service Traction Control, Service Stabilitrack, Engine power reduced problem lights came on the dash. Almost had an accident I want to know why the 2013 model of impala has not had any recalls as the 2010 models with same issues..... My vehicle has the same major issue and need to be addressed & Recalled...... The 2013 Chevrolet impala LTZ Need to be Recalled to fix this issue for the safety of my family and the families on the road and Highways........ I can't express more the need of recall for my vehicle!!!!! I attached documents on the pervious 2010 model recall that had the same issues.... If you think Chevrolet dealership fixed the problem on the 2013 impala model it didn't work cause I have same issues!!!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11508808
“while waiting to make a left turn when traffic cleared I pressed the gas pedal and heard a loud grinding noise and the car would not move for 2 or 3 seconds and suddenly moved. Very dangerous. Car forums have many of the same incidents with great difficulty in resolving this problem and after several years no answers. This is life threatening issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2022Power train, EngineODI 11478426
“DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2013 CHEVY IMPALA LTZ 2 YEARS AGO FROM FIRST CAR IN BAKERSFIELD I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. AS I WOULD DRIVE IT , IT STARTED TO AUTOMATICLY BRAKE ON ITS OWN AND LOSE TRACTION SPEED. BLOWS WHITE SMOKE ALL THE TIME IT IS RUNNING EVEN WHEN PARKED. I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SHAKES SLOT. I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $5000 IN REPAIRS AND NO IMPROVEMENT WHAT SO EVER!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2021Suspension, Electrical system, EngineODI 11398487
“WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE AND FRICTION CAUSES ELECTRICAL MISFIRES THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, FROM DEACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING TO NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN OVER THE ENGINE TO START. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND GM NOR ANY SAFETY COMMISSION WILL DO ANYTHING IN TERMS OF A RECALL. THIS COMPLAINT IS THE ONLY RECOURSE THAT I HAVE IN ORDER TO NOTIFY PUBLIC OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AS IT CAN CAUSE SAFETY HAZARD ON ROAD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2021Electrical system, EngineODI 11396968
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILI-TRAC WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SHUDDERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUDDERED AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2020Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11350200
“WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE OF MY CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAINS AND GEARS. KNOWN TO BEING PROBLEMATIC AND BREAKING AROUND 85,000 MILES. MANY ON LINE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ENGINE, BUT GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND DO A SAFETY RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN MY ENGINE FAILED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT TO ALERT US TO A PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND IT MADE A CLANGING NOISE ALONG WITH A THICK CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE.. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE GETTING REAR ENDED. TIMING CHAINS ARE NOT A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM. THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO LAST THE LIFE OF MOTOR. IF THEY ARE FAILING AT 85,000 MILES OR LESS WHY ISN'T A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE LISTED FOR IT. OUR CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT 4,000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. I DID NOT USE A CHEVY MAINTENANCE MECHANIC I USED A MECHANIC WHO HAS CLOSE TO 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE. JI CALLED GM UP TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPEN THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I CAN'T GO BY ON LINE FORUMS. THEY WANTED ME TO TOW THE CAR TO A CHEVY GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I ASKED THEM IF THEY CAN HAVE A MECHANIC COME TO WHERE MY CAR IS, BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD ANOTHER TOW AND IT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2020EngineODI 11320369

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.