Free used car buyer guide / tenth generation / 2014-2020
Chevrolet Impala common problems and best years
By BYBA Research - how we score cars
Updated 2026-06-12
BYBA Buy Score
6.4/10
1 walk-away risk, 5 serious faults, 2 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: seat belt, airbag, ignition/park-lock recall status. Score methodology.
The 2014-2020 Impala is one of GM's better large used sedans if you buy the 3.6 V6 with clean cooling, transmission and electrical history. The traps are 6T70/6T75 transmission shudder or wave-plate-style failure, 3.6 timing-chain/oil neglect, water pump/thermostat/coolant leaks, electric power steering/assist faults, side blind zone/radar water intrusion, infotainment/HMI failures, suspension wear from police/fleet use, and recall status for seat belts/airbags/park-lock items. Best buy is a 2017-2020 LT/LTZ/Premier 3.6 with no fleet abuse, smooth shifts and complete GM recall printout.
Faults covered
8
Highest risk
Seat belt, airbag,
Best years
2017-2020
Best buys
- 2017-2020 3.6 V6 private-owner car with smooth 6-speed and clean coolant history.
- 2014-2016 only if cheaper and fully documented.
Inspect hard
- Former rental/fleet/police-style cars for suspension, brakes, interior and idle hours.
- 2.5 four-cylinder for performance expectations and transmission condition.
Avoid
- Any Impala with harsh shifts, timing-chain codes, overheating, or water-damaged electronics.
- Repaired crash cars with SRS/ADAS faults.
Next checks
Before you contact the seller
Check the car's history first. Then bring the right tools if it still looks worth viewing.
Primary next step
Check history, title, and recall status
The faults above matter more if the car also has accident history, finance flags, missing service records, or open safety recalls.
Viewing kit
Bring the right tools
Four cheap tools catch most of the faults on this page at a Chevrolet Impala viewing.
Printable workflow
Take the inspection pack
The PDF is the ordered checklist for the viewing: documents, walk-around, test drive, and scan.
Open PDF optionSome links here are partner links. If you buy through one, BYBA earns a commission. The price you pay does not change. How we make money.
Engines and trims
Which Chevrolet Impala should you buy?
On most used cars, the engine and trim choice changes the risk more than the mileage does. Narrow this down before you start viewing cars.
2.5 Ecotec four-cylinder
2014-2020 fleet/base
ACCEPTABLE BUT UNDERPOWERED
Simpler and efficient, but works hard in a large sedan and resale demand is lower.
3.6 LFX V6
2014-2020
BEST ENGINE IF SERVICED
Strong and common, but oil intervals, timing-chain data, cooling leaks and transmission condition decide value.
Chevrolet Impala market/trim variant 3
2014-2020
VERIFY EXACT SPEC
Catalogue coverage is market-sensitive, so confirm the engine, gearbox, drivetrain and recall population by VIN before applying the fault rows.
Year notes
Year-by-year buyer advice
Use this to narrow the search before you spend time travelling to view a car.
2014
Tenth-gen Impala launches.
Buyer: Inspect early infotainment/electrical and recall history.
Owner: Keep transmission and coolant services documented.
2015
Range continues; fleet supply grows.
Buyer: Check rental/fleet history and suspension wear.
Owner: Do not stretch oil intervals on 3.6.
2016
Mature pre-refresh production.
Buyer: Good if private-owner and not abused.
Owner: Address blind-zone/infotainment faults early.
2017
Later production improves desirability.
Buyer: Main target year range begins.
Owner: Transmission fluid service helps resale.
2018
Broad used supply.
Buyer: Check fleet/rental use and ADAS modules.
Owner: Keep brake/suspension records.
2019
Late production.
Buyer: Strong buy if clean and priced below SUVs.
Owner: Resolve open campaigns before sale.
2020
Final model year.
Buyer: Best year, but still inspect transmission and electronics.
Owner: Preserve final-year service history.
Common problems
Faults to check before buying
What fails, what it looks like, what it costs, and the quick checks you can do at the viewing - ranked by how badly each one can hurt you.
Fault 1
6T70/6T75 harsh shifts, shudder, or internal wear
Affects
2014-2020 automatic Impala.
Symptoms
Harsh 2-3/3-5 shifts, flare, converter shudder, delayed reverse, burnt ATF.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 fluid/software; USD 2,800-5,000 rebuild.
Codes / scan clues
P0741, P0776, P0796, ratio/pressure codes.
Root cause: Valve-body/solenoid, converter clutch, pressure-control or internal clutch wear.
Quick check
- Test cold and hot shifts at light and moderate throttle.
- Hold 40-60 mph for converter shudder.
- Scan TCM codes/adaptations.
- Check for ATF service despite "lifetime" sales talk.
Fault 2
3.6 V6 timing-chain stretch from oil neglect
Affects
2014-2020 3.6 V6, mainly poor-service/high-mile cars.
Symptoms
Chain rattle, rough idle, cam correlation codes, poor power.
Typical repair cost
USD 1,800-3,800 timing chains; USD 5,000+ engine if severe.
Codes / scan clues
P0008, P0009, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019.
Root cause: Long oil intervals and dirty oil accelerate chain/tensioner wear.
Quick check
- Cold start and listen for chain rattle.
- Scan for cam/crank correlation codes.
- Review oil intervals, not just oil-life monitor claims.
- Avoid cars with timing codes after seller clears CEL.
Fault 3
Water pump, thermostat, radiator and coolant leaks
Affects
2014-2020, especially 3.6 V6.
Symptoms
Coolant smell, low reservoir, overheating, wet pump, heater fluctuation.
Typical repair cost
USD 350-1,000 pump/thermostat/radiator; USD 2,000+ if overheated.
Codes / scan clues
P0128, overheat, misfire after coolant loss.
Root cause: Ageing seals, pump bearings, thermostat/housing and radiator seams leak.
Quick check
- Inspect water pump, radiator tanks and thermostat housing.
- Check coolant level cold before test drive.
- Pressure-test if smell or low level exists.
- Reject overheating history without repair proof.
Fault 4
Electric power steering assist faults
Affects
2014-2020 Impala.
Symptoms
Steering assist reduced, heavy steering, warning message, intermittent assist.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 sensor/software; USD 1,200-2,500 rack/module.
Codes / scan clues
EPS torque sensor, motor/control module and network codes.
Root cause: EPS module/rack faults, low voltage, sensor faults, or software issues.
Quick check
- Turn lock-to-lock at idle and while parking.
- Scan EPS module for history codes.
- Check battery/charging voltage.
- Treat intermittent steering warnings as serious.
Fault 5
Side blind zone/radar module water intrusion
Affects
Higher trims with blind-zone monitoring.
Symptoms
Side detection unavailable, blind-spot warning, rear bumper sensor faults.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 wiring/sensor; USD 1,000-2,000 module replacement/calibration.
Codes / scan clues
BSM/radar communication and calibration codes.
Root cause: Rear radar modules/wiring exposed to water/corrosion or bumper repair damage.
Quick check
- Test blind-zone indicators during road test.
- Inspect rear bumper corners for paint/repair.
- Scan body/ADAS modules.
- Check trunk/spare well for water.
Fault 6
MyLink/HMI screen, camera and body-electrical faults
Affects
2014-2020 Impala.
Symptoms
Blank screen, frozen infotainment, camera black, battery drain, random warnings.
Typical repair cost
USD 150-500 software/diagnosis; USD 700-1,800 HMI/screen/module.
Codes / scan clues
U-codes, HMI/radio/camera module codes.
Root cause: HMI/radio module failure, software bugs, poor grounds or water intrusion.
Quick check
- Test screen, Bluetooth, camera, steering controls and USB.
- Let car sleep/restart and confirm screen returns.
- Scan body/radio/HMI modules.
- Inspect trunk/spare well for water.
Fault 7
Fleet/rental suspension, brake and interior wear
Affects
Former rental/fleet/police-use Impalas.
Symptoms
Clunks, warped rotors, worn seats, idle-hour wear, mismatched tyres.
Typical repair cost
USD 500-1,500 brakes/struts/arms; USD 2,000+ if multiple systems.
Codes / scan clues
ABS/wheel-speed codes if sensors damaged.
Root cause: Heavy urban use, potholes, curb impacts and idle time age the car faster than mileage shows.
Quick check
- Check Carfax/AutoCheck ownership type.
- Inspect tyres, brakes, struts, control arms and seat wear against mileage.
- Drive rough road for clunks.
- Look for holes/equipment marks from fleet hardware.
Fault 8
Seat belt, airbag, ignition/park-lock recall status
Affects
2014-2020 recall populations by VIN.
Symptoms
Open recall, SRS light, key/park interlock issues, prior crash repair.
Typical repair cost
USD 0 recall; USD 400-1,800 SRS/interlock repairs outside campaign.
Codes / scan clues
SRS, pretensioner, BCM/shift interlock codes.
Root cause: Safety campaigns and crash repairs require VIN-specific proof; generic "no warning lights" is not enough.
Quick check
- Run VIN through GM and NHTSA recall lookups.
- Scan SRS/BCM modules.
- Test shifter/key/park interlock.
- Inspect seat belt pretensioner and airbag repair history after accidents.
Inspection pack
Printable checklist for the viewing
The free page helps you decide whether the car is worth seeing. The paid guide is the ordered, printable checklist you use at the car.
- VIN recall check for Chevrolet Impala 2014-2020.
- Service invoices matching the engine/drivetrain and mileage, not only stamped history.
- Inspect tyres, leaks, accident repair and water entry before the test drive.
- Look specifically for evidence related to 6T70/6T75 harsh shifts, shudder, or internal wear.
- Check every warning light, infotainment function, climate mode, camera/sensor warning and battery condition before moving.
- Cold start, full warm-up, low-speed manoeuvres and motorway-speed pull for Chevrolet Impala.
- Recheck for smells, warning lights, harsh shifts, vibration or coolant/oil leaks after the drive.
- Scan engine, transmission, ABS/body and driver-assist modules where fitted.
- Treat cleared codes or incomplete readiness monitors as negotiation or walk-away evidence.
Bottom line
Buy: 2017-2020 3.6 V6 private-owner car with smooth 6-speed and clean coolant history. 2014-2016 only if cheaper and fully documented.
Avoid: Any Impala with harsh shifts, timing-chain codes, overheating, or water-damaged electronics. Repaired crash cars with SRS/ADAS faults.
Quick answers
Chevrolet Impala buyer questions
The short versions of what this page answers in full.
What are the most common Chevrolet Impala 2014-2020 problems?
The highest-impact documented faults are: 6T70/6T75 harsh shifts, shudder, or internal wear; 3.6 V6 timing-chain stretch from oil neglect; Water pump, thermostat, radiator and coolant leaks. This guide covers 8 faults in total, each with symptoms, typical repair costs, and checks you can do at a viewing.
Which Chevrolet Impala years are the best to buy?
2017-2020 stand out in this generation. 2017-2020 3.6 V6 private-owner car with smooth 6-speed and clean coolant history. 2014-2016 only if cheaper and fully documented.
Which Chevrolet Impala should I avoid?
Any Impala with harsh shifts, timing-chain codes, overheating, or water-damaged electronics. Repaired crash cars with SRS/ADAS faults.
Is the Chevrolet Impala 2014-2020 a reliable used buy?
BYBA scores it 6.4/10 (buy with checks). 1 walk-away risk, 5 serious faults, 2 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: seat belt, airbag, ignition/park-lock recall status.
Get updates when this guide changes
Recalls get added, repair costs shift, and new fault patterns show up in the data. Leave an email and we'll tell you when the Chevrolet Impala guide gets a meaningful revision. Nothing else, no selling your address.