Last updated: 2026-10-10
2020 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Report
The 2020 Chevrolet Impala has good reliability and no recalls, but owners report heavy steering when the electric assist drops out.
Recalls
0
Complaints
15
Complaint Rate
15.1per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$568
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,750
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Final Impala year with no recalls and a 5-star crash rating, though owners report sudden heavy steering and a few air bag complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- STEERING (3)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- AIR BAGS (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2020 is the last model year of the Ninth generation (2006–2016).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 8 years after the last refresh (2012).
- 9th generation Impala (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
2006: Ninth generation (2006–2016) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2012: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2020: This Model Year
2020 is the last model year of the Ninth generation (2006–2016).
Should You Buy the 2020 Chevrolet Impala?
Good reliability puts this last Impala year well above the average 2020 sedan. Within the Impala's own scored years it sits in the middle of three, and 2019 rates about the same. It earned 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars, and federal recall records list no recalls. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $568, a little under the $590 class figure.
Steering is the main complaint. Owners describe the wheel going heavy, as if the electric assist quit, sometimes with a "Power Steering - Drive with Care" message. One dealer traced it to a weak battery with a dead cell, around 5,322 miles. Another episode, near 54,000 miles, cleared after a restart. Two crash reports are more serious. Owners say air bags did not deploy in a rollover and in a rear-end impact, and one involved an injury.
Ask for service records covering any steering message or battery replacement. On a test drive, check the seatbelt chime, turn signal sounds, and blind spot warning. Lift the floor mats and look for damp carpet or a mold smell.
See also the 2019 Chevrolet Impala for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$22 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize cars
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (13%)
Cons
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Engine and transmission faults lead this mixed group (6 complaints)
- −STEERING issues reported (3 complaints)
Compare 2020 Chevrolet Impala With
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)
- STEERING (3)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2020 Chevrolet Impala — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
15.1
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 17.9
Safety Incidents
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2020 Chevrolet Impala? Check its history first
Steering problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Impala, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2020 Chevrolet Impala NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 12.1%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet ImpalaRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$568
vs $590 avg for fullsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
13%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Chevrolet Impala Resale Value
The Chevrolet Impala is estimated to retain about 47.2% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Chevrolet Impala model overall and is not specific to the 2020 model year.
- Value Retained
- 47.2%
- Depreciation
- 52.8%
- Listings Analyzed
- 118
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Chevrolet Impala depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
22 MPG
Running cost: $3,300/yr
Fuel + repair
18–19 city / 28 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impala 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,750 |
| Impala 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,750 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Chevrolet Impala.
Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and on a slow drive; reject heavy steering or a power steering warning.
Have the battery load tested, since a weak battery has triggered power steering low-voltage faults.
Cruise at a steady highway speed and watch for RPMs dropping while speed rises, lag, lurching, or shaking.
Refuel, then restart right away; watch for stumbling, a rough idle, or a check engine light.
Lift the floor mats and press the carpet under the seats for dampness, musty odor, or mold.
Open the trunk and check near the rear window for water stains or wet carpet.
Test the seatbelt chime, the turn signal sound, and the driver-side blind spot warning.
Compare the odometer with the history report and title records, especially on former fleet or auction cars.
2020 Chevrolet Impala Common Problems by Component
15 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 complaintsSafety-relatedEngine and transmission faults lead this mixed group. The EVAP purge valve can stick open, causing stumbling or no-start right after refueling, a rough idle, and a check engine light. One of these reports is tied to a crash. Other reports describe RPMs falling while speed rises, lag and lurching on acceleration, and a transmission that shakes and quits on the interstate. One owner reports a loud bang traced to a failed catalytic converter that left the car inoperable. Separate reports cover a leaking rear window that lets water into the trunk and an odometer rollback on a former government fleet car.
STEERING
3 complaintsHeavy steering is the main complaint, as if the electric assist has dropped out, sometimes with a "Power Steering - Drive with Care" message. In one case the problem came and went with no dash warning until a dealer logged a power steering control module low-voltage code and traced it to a weak battery with a dead cell, around 5,322 miles. Another report puts a similar episode at about 54,000 miles, with normal steering back after a restart. A separate report involves a dealer misdiagnosis that ended in a front wheel bearing replacement. Losing assist makes slow-speed maneuvers like reversing hard.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsWarning chimes and driver aids stop working. The reported failures include no sound from the seatbelt reminder or turn signals, plus a dead driver-side blind spot warning. A separate report traces electrical trouble to a detached air conditioning tube inside the cabin. The leak soaked the carpets and led to heavy mold under the mats and seats, and the owner says the issue stayed unresolved for months despite dealer and manufacturer contact. That owner also links the mold to respiratory problems in the family.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedFailure to deploy in serious collisions is the common thread. Both reports are crash-related, and one involves an injury. One describes a rollover after the car left the road and hit a tree, with no deployment and no warning lights beforehand. The other describes a rear-end impact that pushed the car into the vehicle ahead, where the steering wheel and front seat side air bags fired but did not deploy. There are only two reports, but both describe the restraint system failing when it was needed.
POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
1 complaintI Took My Car To Castle Villa Park On July 8 2025 And Explained To Tony That Check My Car In That It Sound As If It Was A Hub Bearing My Car Was Dropped Off At 7:00 AM Until Around 1:00PM I Was Told I Need A Tire To See If It Was My Hub Bearing Which Didn’t Make Sense To Me So I Ask For A Supervisor I Was Then Inform That They Could Tell If They Switch My Tires Later On I Was Told It Was A Tire Came Took My Car To Firestone This Sat 07/19/2025 I Was Told I Didn’t Need Tires It Is In Fact Both Of My Hub Bearing So I Paid 100.00 Diagnostic Fee To Castle And Risking My Life Driving My Car When They Knew In Fact That It Was My Hub Bearings My Car Is Under Warranty If It Wasn’t They Would Have Fixed It And Charge Me I Am Taking My Car Back Monday I Have Made Several Complaints On This Dealer And Nothing Is Happening This Is Unfair For Consumer To Take Advantage Of Customers
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintThe contact rented a 2020 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the headlamps failed to produce adequate lighting while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,433. The VIN was not available.
Best & Worst Chevrolet Impala Years
Best Chevrolet Impala Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020
(Current Model)
2019
2018
Chevrolet Impala Years to Avoid
No Chevrolet Impala years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 77 and 79 across 3 scored model years.
Chevrolet Impala Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 79/100 | Good |
Chevrolet Impala Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Impala?
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Impala have power steering problems?
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?
How much does it cost to maintain a 2020 Chevrolet Impala?
Don’t buy a 2020 Chevrolet Impala without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2020 Chevrolet Impala
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 Chevrolet Impala does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (66/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Chevrolet Impala.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
Browse More Chevrolet Models
Chevrolet Blazer
Score: 88/100
Chevrolet Blazer EV
Score: 57/100
Chevrolet Bolt
Score: 64/100
Chevrolet Camaro
Score: 77/100
Chevrolet Colorado
Score: 88/100
Chevrolet Corvette
Score: 76/100
Browse More 2020 Vehicles
2020 Mazda CX-5
Score: 86/100
2020 Lexus RX
Score: 86/100
2020 Lexus UX
Score: 84/100
2020 Lexus ES
Score: 83/100
2020 Lexus IS
Score: 83/100
2020 Dodge Grand Caravan
Score: 83/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue