2020 Chevrolet Impala Safety Report

The 2020 Chevrolet Impala presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its complaint data reveals some concerning patterns. With only 13 total complaints, the volume is low, but these complaints include 2 crashes and 1 injury, indicating that when issues occur, they can be significant. Notably, there are no recalls for this model year, which is positive, but also means any widespread issues identified in complaints have not been addressed by the manufacturer through a recall campaign. Common complaint patterns revolve around steering issues, with two distinct complaints directly mentioning hard steering or power steering warnings, and another involving steering, power train, and electrical system. Airbag issues are also reported, with one complaint detailing airbags detonating but not deploying in a rear-end collision, and another mentioning a lack of sound warnings for seatbelt and blind spot systems. Other significant issues include a transmission failure causing the car to stop driving normally, and a severe electrical system failure linked to an 'exploded' catalytic converter and fuel system problems. These issues, though few in number, point to potential reliability concerns in critical vehicle systems. The crash test performance is a strong point for the 2020 Impala, suggesting good occupant protection in tested scenarios. However, the real-world complaint data highlights potential vulnerabilities not fully captured by ratings, particularly concerning steering, airbags, and powertrain reliability. The absence of recalls for these reported issues means owners might face out-of-pocket repair costs for problems that could impact safety. The low complaint volume makes it difficult to definitively label these as widespread, but their nature warrants attention for potential buyers.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of scattered but serious complaints regarding steering, airbag, and powertrain issues; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.