2015 Chevrolet Impala: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 19, 2025 · Steering · GA

Loss of power steering

Filed Jul 21, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · FL

Complete loss of power assist steering resulting in difficulty in steering the vehicle at any speed. DIC messages indicate: loss of power steering, drive with caution, service traction control, and service ABS. ABS and traction control warning lights remain on and illuminated while driving. These indicators occur each time the vehicle is restarted. This problem originally started about two and a half months ago, and the power steering loss, for a while, was intermittent until recently. The vehicle has not been inspected been inspected by mechanics to date. I have researched hundreds of Impalas online with the same problem with a majority of them remaining unresolved and no manufacturer recall being issued. The vehicle mileage is currently 31, 104 miles and is not driven often because of the problem and the fact that I own two other vehicles.

Filed Jun 2, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · NJ

The stabiltrac light comes on,sometimes I lose power. Sometimes the back up camera doesn’t work. Sometimes the parking brake light comes on the dash. Then ieverything will suddenly go away and everything is fine,only to have the same problems. This has been happening for months. I took it to the dealer multiple times and they are unable to fix it.

Filed Feb 16, 2023 · Steering · MI

In September 2021, my vehicle had approximately 130,000 miles and began to experience intermittent power steering failures. During these times, which were always unexpected, the Stabilitrak light would illuminate on the dashboard, and a "Power Steering" advisory would appear on the dashboard display screen. Power steering would then be unavailable until the vehicle was restarted. I am experienced in vehicle repair, and I isolated the left rear wheel speed sensor as the cause of this fault. I changed the left rear wheel bearing with an OEM replacement, and the problem went away. In January 2023, at approximately 160,000 miles I began noticing that my right rear wheel bearing was worn, and I changed it with an OEM replacement. Roughly 2 weeks later, my power steering has randomly begun to disengage while driving. The only message I receive is a "Power Steering" advisory, but this time, Stabilitrak remains operational. I am very concerned about this vehicle's design, which apparently kicks power steering offline as a result of anomalies with the wheel bearing speed sensors. The speed sensors consist of a circular magnet attached to the back of the bearing, and a device mounted within the bearing bracket which tracks the frequency of that magnet's rotation. The circular magnet is subject to corrosion and fracturing, as I discovered in September 2021, and again in January 2023, while replacing each bearing. This vehicle is quite heavy. A significant amount of damage, injury, and death is likely to occur if a driver with less capabilities than me is met with this awful fault while driving. Steering the vehicle in this condition, while below 50 MPH, is nearly impossible without enormous effort, especially around common 4-way intersections and at slow speeds. I believe speed sensor anomalies should not trigger a complete loss of power steering.

Filed Nov 16, 2021 · Steering · AL

While driving at 70MPH on I10 in MS I experienced loss of power steering in heavy traffic. I received a notification on the dashboard of a problem, but it was difficult to maintain control of the vehicle and maneuver to the right lane to exit. The car was difficult to drive but I managed to pull into a large gas station and shut it down and ask for directions to a Chevy dealer. The Power steering returned when I restarted the vehicle and a Chevy dealer was several miles away, but the dealership personnel advised me to continue the trip since I reset the system, but could not tell me if it would reoccur. I drove another 250 miles to get home and did not have another incident. But after checking online forums I notice other such issues and this is quite dangerous at high speed and heavy traffic.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MI

When accelerating, the vehicle revs to high rpms and a loss of power to the wheels occurs. This happens most notably when accelerating to pass while cruising at speeds of 50mph and up. Check engine light appeared and code p16cf was given and tracked directly to the variable timing oil control valve.

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Steering · 69,000 miles · OH

Loss of power steering assist and a "service power steering" message. Loss started upon start-up in morning and continued thru 25 mile commute to work. Eight hours later condition was gone and all systems normal from start-up to return commute home. During loss of assist car was extremely difficult to steer.

Filed May 23, 2019 · Fuel system, Steering · 37,000 miles · PA

While driving home from work power steering lost power on bridge & could barely turn wheel had the vehicle towed to dealer when I was informed it was also leaking gas fumes

Filed Feb 20, 2019 · Electrical · 62,345 miles · MD

Initial warning light was "service side detection system" but then resulted mass electrical failure. All warning lights on my dashboard were lit up. All the gauges on my dashboard were at zero. The following vehicle messages were triggered: service front camera, service park assist, service side detection system, service airbag, service tire monitoring system. I sporadically lost power in the infotainment system and climate control systems. I took the vehicle to chevrolet certified service and after 3 hours they indicated they replaced a couple blown fuses and that all systems were up and running except the "side detection system". At that point, I had to leave and go to work. Within the day, I was back a square one with all of the same issues. After taking it back a second time, they indicated that they needed to replace the "rear si module" in order to fix the issue. So, after it all I was without a car for 5 total days and stuck with a bill of $1600. This exact issue is reported several times specifically on this site. Seems to be an issue that chevrolet needs to address.

Filed Nov 3, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · MO

Fuel pump causing weak engine and stabil track service light. Dealer diagnosed. As I was driving the vehicle suddenly lost power, stabil track service and check engine lights. Message warning of decreased engine power.

Filed Oct 2, 2018 · Steering · 84,300 miles · MI

While driving a complete loss of power steering making the car extremely difficult / dangerous to steer. The entire electric power steering system needed to be replaced along with the side detection modules. A frightening experience.

Filed Sep 15, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 54,000 miles · AL

While I was driving down an interstate in heavy traffic (rush hour) getting ready to merge onto another interstate the vehicle lunged violently jolted and lost power. At that time I was driving (cruise control off) at 60mph, the display lights on the dashboard came on stated: stability control, traction control,check engine came light on, and vehicle rapidly slowing. I was able to move to the right lane and access and exit ramp. Once that happened you can't get vehicle to move when pressing on the gas pedal. I put it in park, turned off the vehicle. I waited for a few minutes then turned on the car. The check engine light remained on. Vehicle has done this a few other times however; no codes come back when diagnosed as the check engine light turns itself off. This seems to be a major issue however; gm doesn't want to accept responsibility and fix their issue to make their vehicles safe. I am terrified of driving the vehicle and consider my experience lucky in the fact no accident happened however; I am now paying to have my car parked in a lot waiting for gm.