The transmission failed, shifting is no longer smooth. It hesitates and shakes the entire car, and the car slows down to almost a crawl uphill. I understand this is an issue with Chevrolet Impalas. So now I have an $8200 bill for a problem I was never told about, and that GM knew that it existed. So, yes, the issue has been identified, reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The warning light came on when the issue happened, so it was already too late. The issue began with just over 65,000 miles. So I have a 2018 Impala in almost perfect condition in need of an $8200 before taxes, transmission replacement. I would like some help from the federal safety agency, like requiring GM to pay for the repairs. Thank You very much.
Chevrolet Impala hesitation problems
159 of the 10,418 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Impala describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 159
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 30Grinding brakes 25ABS 23Check engine light 20Stalling 16Loss of power 12Won't start 6Misfire 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P2138 1P0496 1P0442 1
What owners say
The component is the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) Vapor Canister Purge Valve.The internal diaphragm or solenoid of the factory-installed purge valve has worn out prematurely or became contaminated, locking it permanently into a stuck-open position.The Manifestation or (Symptoms): The stuck-open valve continuously drafts raw fuel vapor and unmetered air into the engine intake manifold. This causes an improper air-fuel mixture, resulting in:Stumbling / Failure to Start Immediately After Refueling (the engine is flooded by gas tank vapors forced in during fill-up).Rough Idling (due to a continuous vacuum leak).Illuminated Check Engine Light tracking Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0496 (High Purge Flow) or P0442. Yes, it is available for inspection. The vehicle stumbles, hesitates, and fails to restart at busy gas pumps and intersections which places drivers, passengers, and other motorists at an immediate risk of a collision. Yes, the problem has been validated by an professional auto mechanic shop. No, it has not been inspected by anyone else other than the mechanicshop to diagnose the problem, issue. The check engine light came on as I cranked the vehicle up and it started idling. No known symptoms until check engine came on prior to failing. The check engine light first appeared in May 2026 as well as the codes mentioned above.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Transmission hesitates to pull out in drive from a stop
When at a stop and turning left it makes a grinding noise with hesitation in movement. The ABS and traction control light comes on. When researching this, there are millions of these cars with the same thing. I have taken to 3 mechanics and no one can fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and ascending a grade, the vehicle lost forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle revved but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she shifted the vehicle into reverse (R) and drove back down the hill. The contact stated that the transmission failure was intermittent at first but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated that at the first failure there were no warning lights; however, in the later failures the transmission overheated warning light would become illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure the transmission had begun to jerk and hesitate. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,343.
The front wheel hub assembly fails after numerous replacements. The after-market parts do not resolve the problem. Thw assembly girnds and hesitates on right turns during acceleration. This causes hesitation and an unsafe manner when making turns, suddenly, or moving away from emergency vehicles. This is a flaw in the manufacturer with the wheel hub that must be addressed. Thousands of dollars in repairs. Safety is at risk when the vehicle hesitates on turns with oncoming traffic. The Dealer has inspected the part and several auto mechanics. The constant warning light in every case is the 'traction control' orange icon blinks when wheel grinds and hesitates. This will cause wear and tear to the sensor causing the ABS LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK. Service documents attached from 3 mechanics and 5 warranty replacements in 2 years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet impala. The contact state while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact was in the process of making a left turn when he heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that change throttle body, service stability trac and service traction control warning lights were illuminated. The engine power reduced warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autosmart - longview located at 1151 mccann rd, longview, tx 75601, (833) 586-2886 however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the failure recurred four times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 127,068.
We got the brakes changed and the next day the car started saying stability control bad and check suspension anytime you turn the car to the left it hesitates and come up says traction control while driving it only does it when you turn left the ABS light pops up the check stability control traction control and suspension all come on
Traction control and stablitrak lights come on. Grinding sound and hesitation before moving in reverse, going straight and turning. The hestiation keeps the car from moving. Can turn off and fix this issue for a short bit of time with the bottom on the dash. After a while turning it off doesn't help because it turns itself back on.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick owners at 1‑800‑521‑7300, and GMC owners at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Recall number 14V092000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Impala hesitation
Which Chevrolet Impala years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (20 complaints), 2000 (18 complaints) and 2011 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix hesitation when accelerating on the Chevrolet Impala?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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