RoadVitals

2013 Chevrolet Impala Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Jul 17, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 270 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

AirbagsSteering
Filed Jul 17, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I have driving on highway [XXX] heading back home to yucca valley from oceanside driving in the left lane my steering wheel locked up my vehicle swerved let into a street sign and thr vehicle proceeded to turn right swerving on the road losing control of the vehicle my airbag never deployed and my riverside tire as well the drives haft fell off the vehicle and now my car is completely totaled luckily there were no other vehicles involved but there was another person in the car with me when the incident occurred, we both he whiplash. Incident occurred in Morongo Valley near road runner mobile home trailer park in morngo valley INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11674400
Incident
Jul 13, 2025
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 21, 2020

WHEELS DRAG HESITATE WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A PARKED POSITION, HAS DONE THIS SINCE ABOUT A MONTH OF PURCHASING THIS CAR FROM DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325405
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 16, 2020

THERE IS A "KNOWN" ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE CAR WILL DECELERATE AND TRAFFIC IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I FOUND THE CAUSE VIA GOOGLE AND NEEDS TO GET ADDRESSED. THE CAR WILL ALWAYS DISPLAY DRIVER FEEDBACK ON THE DASHBOARD. IT SIMULATES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN ICY PATCH. THE CAR WILL NOT EXCEL BUT RATHER DECELERATE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME JUST LAST WEEK TURNING INTO PAYTON MANNING CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

NHTSA ID
11309507
Incident
Aug 31, 2018
Mileage
86,200 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 5, 2020

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT

NHTSA ID
11307264
Incident
Feb 3, 2020
Mileage
115,137 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 15, 2019

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING CONTROL IN THIS VEHICLE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT FROM SERPENTINI CHEVROLET IN STRONGSVILLE, OHIO. CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY ON 6/9/16 AT 34,770 WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON 8/3/18, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 60039 MILES, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS LEAKING AND IT WOULD BE AN $1829.50 REPAIR. THE SYMPTOMS I AM EXPERIENCING NOW ARE THE SAME AS WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. IT MAKES A SCRAPING OR GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN. IF I ADD POWER STEERING FLUID, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG. I CHECKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WHICH USUALLY ONLY GETS IDENTIFIED AFTER THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11268681
Incident
Jun 9, 2016
Mileage
34,770 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2019

I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IN THE PARKED POSITION THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE WHEEL WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITIION. MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPS TO TRY AND TURN THE KEY WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND A FEW DIFFENT MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY BUT NEGATIVE RESULT. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11233001
Incident
Jul 18, 2019
Mileage
98,978 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed May 8, 2019

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON MARCH 23 2019 .I HAVE MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS TO CAR BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS . IF I'M AT A STOP AND I PROCEED TO DRIVE AND MAKE A LEFT MY CAR WILL MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH IT MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO JOIN TRAFFIC SAFELY . I LOOKED ONLINE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES . SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. SERVICE STABILITRAK SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST WILL GO ON WHEN I TRY TO MAKE A U TURN . . IVE REPLACED LEFT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB WITH ABS SENSOR REPLACED TPMS AND HAD ALIGNMENT DONE . I FELT THE TEA ADMISSION IS BEING AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE . SO I HAD IT SERVICED AS WELL . I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID
11206300
Incident
Mar 23, 2019
Mileage
99,800 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUPIENT CHEVROLET (1601 SOUTHTOWN DR, BLOOMINGTON, MN) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCOVERED THIS YEAR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,080. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A 27 INSPECTION COMPLETED AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK WITH A MILAGE OF 33,393. STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED AT 20,080 MILES AND AGAIN AT 13,893 MILES. CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.*JB

NHTSA ID
11186792
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
20,080 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 5, 2018

THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE EVERY TIME I MAKE A LEFT TURN.

NHTSA ID
11115801
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed May 11, 2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILD AND MY SERVICE STABILITRACT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN ALL U HEARD WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE WHEEL LIKE LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN UNTIL LIKE 5 SECONDS LATER ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY KIDS TO GET HIT INTO A REALLY TERRIBLE WRECK WITH CARS COMING AT US AT 55 MPH

NHTSA ID
11093286
Incident
May 10, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 30, 2018

WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED LEFT HAND TURN SERVICE STABILITRACK AND SERVICE ABS WARNINGS COME ON, STEERING IS DIFFICULT AND A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. GRINDING STOPS WHEN STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHTENED THEN TURN CAN BE MADE AFTER SPEED IS BUILT UP.

NHTSA ID
11091099
Incident
Apr 30, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 29, 2017

STABILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL RANDOMLY FAIL WHILE BACKING AND DRIVING. ESPECIALLY WITH RIGHT HAND STEERING INPUT. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND TURING RIGHT, STANILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL ALERT FAILURE AND THE INPUT FROM THE ACCELERATOR WILL CEASE CAUSING SLOW TIRING LEADING TO NEAR MISS TRAFFIC COLLISIONS. CHEVY CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM AND NUMEROUS ONLINE REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. ON GOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11057357
Incident
Dec 28, 2017
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jun 12, 2017

THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE ASSIST AND STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. A GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT-LEFT WHEEL. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP OR MAKING LEFT AND/OR RIGHT TURNS FROM A DEAD STOP

NHTSA ID
10994547
Incident
May 1, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jan 11, 2017

AFTER REVERSING, THEN WHEN ACCELERATING OUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE, I CAN FEEL IT IN MY ACCELERATOR AND I LOSE POWER, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES ON, SOMETIMES MY BRAKE ASSIST, ABS, AND STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON TOO... IF I BACK OFF AND TRY AGAIN I CAN THEN ACCELERATE OUT AND PROCEED AS NORMAL, HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, HARD TO DUPLICATE, MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE IF I NEED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF A TURN THEN I WILL NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO. I WANT TO TAKE IT IN TO SEE IF IT NEEDS A REPAIR, BUT BY READING FORUMS, MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY IMPALA AND HAVE PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET DIFFERENT THINGS FIXED, AND IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. STARTED 3 WEEKS AGO, AND HAS HAPPENED MANY TIME IN THAT 3 WEEKS. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON IT. I USE TO LOVE MY IMPALA, NOW JUST WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

NHTSA ID
10944287
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 28, 2016

THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE ASSIST AND STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. A GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT-LEFT WHEEL. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP OR MAKING LEFT AND/OR RIGHT TURNS FROM A DEAD STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10919951
Incident
Jul 15, 2016
Mileage
71,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2016

CAR WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER. THEY SAID STEERING COLUMN WAS LEAKING AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING IF NOT REPAIRED. 1300.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 44,000 MILES ON IT. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. LOSING YOUR STEERING IS CERTAINLY A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
10910557
Incident
Sep 26, 2016
Mileage
44,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,900. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10905009
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Mileage
46,900 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE RESULTS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10896933
Incident
Jul 22, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 16, 2016

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HAD A FEW NOISES FROM THE FRONT END. ONE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I REACHED SPEEDS OF APPROX 25 MPH, THE FRONT END WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE, WHEN I WOULD BACK UP THEN PULL FORWARD THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE, AND ALSO A FEW TIMES WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN IT WAS LIKE MY CAR WAS STUCK FOR A FEW SECONDS WITH THE MOTOR REVVING, BUT WOULDNT MOVE. WHEN IT FINALLY WOULD, IT WOULD SHOOT FORWARD AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE RIGHT FRONT HUB HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE FRONT ENGINE, REAR ENGINE, STRUT MOUNT, AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT WERE TORN, THE FRONT TIMING COVER AND THE STEERING GEAR RACK WERE LEAKING AND ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY FOR A CAR TO RELIABLY GET ME AND MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B SAFELY. THANKFULLY THE DEALERSHIP IS HELPING ME OUT SO I CAN AFFORDS TO GET MY CAR FIXED, AND ITS STILL COSTING ME $2000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,3023 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
10896441
Incident
Aug 13, 2016
Mileage
60,323 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 24, 2016

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE CAR LURCHES SLIGHTLY FORWARD AND MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE---LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. A MECHANIC CHECKED THE BALL BEARINGS IN THE WHEELS AND THEY WERE OKAY HE SAID. THIS NOISE STARTED A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT DOESN'T MAKE THIS NOISE EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT DOES IT REPEATEDLY IF MAKING A LEFT TURN.

NHTSA ID
10876422
Incident
May 5, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 14, 2016

WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE CAR HESITATES, AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.

NHTSA ID
10874291
Incident
Jun 14, 2016
Mileage
57,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2016

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR STANDARD OIL CHANGE. WHILE COMPLETING INSPECTION FORM THEY INDICATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT FOR $1,300.00. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT. I TOLD THEM NOT TO REPLACE IT. THEY STATED YOU COULD HAVE A SMALL LEAK FOR MANY YEARS BUT IT WILL EVENTUALLY GET WORSE AND LEADING TO STEERING FAILURE. I ASKED ABOUT THIS BEING UNDER WARRANTY BUT OF COURSE I WAS 2 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT WITH NO ISSUES YET. I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. I MOSTLY DO HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH THIS VEHICLE AND PUT ON 70 MILES A DAY. HOPEFULLY ENOUGH UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND WE CAN GET A RECALL STARTED.

NHTSA ID
10872494
Incident
May 3, 2016
Mileage
57,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 17, 2016

MY 2013 CHEVY IMPALA IS HAVING BIG ISSUES MAKING LEFT TURNS. THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND AND THE CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE. WHILE THESE PROBLRMS OCCUR I AM GETTING WARNINGS ON THE DASH THAT SAY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. STARTING TO NOT FEEL SAFE TO BE IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO HAD IT CHECKED TWICE BY TWO DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10859921
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Steering
Filed Mar 22, 2016

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURN LEFTMOST OR RIGHTMOST AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE, YOU CAN'T TURN ON THE IGNITION BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK. WITHOUT REMOTE START, MY CAR WILL ALWAYS BE STUCK ON THE SIDEWAY OF A SLOPE.

NHTSA ID
10851069
Incident
Mar 17, 2016
Mileage
48,666 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2016

WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT AND NOW RIGHT THE FRONT END GRINDS AT TIMES BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING GRADUALLY WORSE, GRINDING MORE OFTEN. THE "SERVICE STABILITRAC SYSTEM" COMES ACROSS THE DASH PANEL AND NOW IT IS STATING "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST". ALL THE WHILE NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH ANYTHING UP FRONT. THIS HAPPENS UPON ACCELERATION. THIS CAN HAPPEN IN CITY STREETS, PARKING LOTS AND FREEWAYS. I HAPPENS ANYWHERE UPON ACCELERATION. THERE IS NO POINT AT WHICH THE GRINDING IS TAKING PLACE CAN BE SEEN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET HAS WITH ALL THE MODELS OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE YET THEY ARE DENYING ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10840181
Incident
Sep 1, 2014

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .