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2018 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Impala.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Chevrolet Impala is a passenger car that requires 5.0 quarts of oil, with a recommended viscosity of 0W-20 or 5W-20. Its reliability record includes 59 owner complaints and a single recall, with the top complaint area listed as Unknown Or Other. Within the model’s complaint history from 1991 to 2020, where the highest year reached 1,071 complaints and the lowest just 1, this 2018 model year sits near the lower end, indicating a relatively trouble-free ownership experience.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20 / 5W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque111 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Start Stop: 94R; Auxiliary for Start Stop: 401 · Start Stop: 850; Auxiliary for Start Stop: 180 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Start Stop: 94R; Auxiliary for Start Stop: 401 · Start Stop: 850; Auxiliary for Start Stop: 180 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245/45R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377 alt 12731742
Engine air filter	20972654 alt 22753242
Spark plug	12681660 alt 12680074
Battery	88866309 alt 88866271
Front wiper blades	84589112 alt 84589113
Serpentine belt	12627134 alt 12639018
Thermostat	12630780 alt 25201447
Cabin air filter	23393247

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.2 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	59.1 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	3662 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impala of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2018 Premier V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	Premier V6 3.6L V6	6.10 sec	14.90 sec	305 hp	FWD
2016	2LTZ V6 3.6L V6	6.30 sec	14.90 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	2LT V6 3.6L V6	6.00 sec	14.80 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ V6 3.6L V6	6.20 sec	14.80 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ V6 3.6L V6	7.10 sec	15.60 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	1LT 2.5L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	195 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 0W-20 / 5W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 111 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.8
Engine Coolant Capacity	9.9
Engine Oil	0W-20 · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 0W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

111 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	615 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	Police: 34

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-100.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.070; Rear: .846
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.00024
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	Back off 360 degrees	360 degrees
3	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
4	110.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	110.0

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 degrees Use new bolt.

111 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 degrees. Use new bolt.

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	18 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	18

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	33

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	80 degrees; Outer bolts	80 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	110.0 degrees; Side bolts	110 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	60.0 degrees	60 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower crankcase crankshaft bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	140 degrees; Lower crankcase perimeter bolts	140 degrees
1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Chevrolet Impala sits at a favorable point in the model's long-term record, with complaints of 59 and just one recall—down dramatically from the 2014 peak of 630 complaints and 12 recalls. Compared to the earlier generation years (2000–2009), which saw complaints consistently between 544 and 1,071 annually, the 2018 model represents a sustained improvement in the complaint trajectory, with 2018 continuing a downward trend that began after 2014. The top complaint categories (Unknown/Other at 8, Power Train and Steering each at 6) show no dominant pattern that would suggest a systemic defect; however, the six crash-related complaints warrant attention even if the root cause is not specified in the data. The single recall indicates that known defects were addressed through targeted action rather than widespread corrective campaigns. With fire complaints at zero and the lowest complaint count in the generation's recent history, the 2018 Impala appears to be among the more reliable model years within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

879

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 59 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other8

Power Train6

Steering6

Electrical System4

Service Brakes3

Air Bags2

Air Bags,Seats,Unknown Or Other2

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V576000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 30/08/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 879 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT6247B	2026-05-04	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impala. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group S battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 20972654 Spark plug 12681660 Battery 88866309

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Impala take?

5.0 qt of 0W-20, 5W-20 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.