The 2007 Impala SS packs the LS4 5.3L V8 (303hp) mated to a 4T65E-HD transaxle in a FWD platform. It's a capable sleeper, but the transmission and its cooling system are the Achilles' heel, and the LS4 has a specific piston failure mode that can grenade engines without warning.
4T65E-HD Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, slipping under load, whining or grinding noise, limp mode or no forward gears, burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: The 4T65E-HD behind the LS4 is stressed beyond its design limits. Input shaft, 3-4 clutch pack, and converter failures are typical. Rebuild runs 12-16 hours labor; many shops recommend replacement with a remanufactured unit. Fluid changes every 50k miles help but don't prevent eventual failure.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line / Radiator Leak
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: pink or milky transmission fluid, transmission overheating, coolant loss with no external leak, transmission slipping after warmup, strawberry milkshake in coolant reservoir
Fix: The internal trans cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix—death sentence for the 4T65E. Requires radiator replacement (3-4 hours), full trans flush, and often trans rebuild if driven after contamination. External cooler addition is mandatory preventive mod.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (radiator alone), $3,500-5,000 (if trans damaged)
LS4 Piston Ring Land Failure (AFM-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: sudden excessive oil consumption (1qt per 500-1000 mi), blue smoke on startup or acceleration, misfires on cylinders 1 or 7, rattling or knocking from engine, loss of compression
Fix: The LS4 uses Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) which can cause piston ring land cracking, especially on cylinders 1 and 7. Once rings fail, metal debris circulates. Requires engine rebuild or replacement—20-28 hours labor for removal, short block swap, and reinstall. Some shops recommend AFM delete on rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Engine Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: no-start condition, stalling at idle or while driving, intermittent cranks but won't fire, P0335 or P0336 codes, tachometer drops to zero while driving
Fix: Heat from the exhaust causes the crank sensor (behind the starter) to fail. Requires starter removal for access—2.5-3.5 hours labor. Sensor itself is cheap ($40-80), but location makes it labor-intensive. Common roadside breakdown cause.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Front Engine Mount / Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk or thud on acceleration or braking, excessive engine movement visible under hood, vibration at idle in gear, drivetrain shudder during shifts, CV axle binding or clicking
Fix: The LS4's torque tears apart the hydraulic front and transmission mounts. Collapsed mounts cause driveline angles to shift, accelerating CV axle and transmission wear. Both mounts typically need replacement together—4-5 hours labor. Do NOT delay this repair.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Fuel Pump / Fuel Level Sender Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: inaccurate fuel gauge (stuck on full or empty), intermittent no-start after sitting, engine stalling when fuel is below 1/4 tank, whining noise from rear seat area, P0461 or P0462 codes
Fix: The fuel pump module and level sender corrode or the pump motor fails. Requires tank drop or seat removal for top-side access on this platform (most shops drop the tank—2.5-3 hours). Replace the entire module assembly, not just the pump.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Intermediate Steering Shaft Clunk
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk or knock when turning wheel at low speed, thud felt through steering column over bumps, noise from under dash near pedals, no loss of steering control
Fix: The intermediate shaft U-joint wears and develops slack. GM issued TSB for this. Replacement shaft takes 1-1.5 hours. Annoying but not dangerous—purely NVH issue. Genuine GM part recommended as aftermarket units often fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $200-350
Owner tips
Install an external transmission cooler immediately—bypass the radiator's internal cooler to prevent the coolant-ATF mixing disaster
Change trans fluid every 50k miles with Dexron VI; the 4T65E-HD has no margin for abuse behind this engine
Monitor oil consumption religiously after 100k miles; if it suddenly increases, park it before metal shavings destroy bearings
Replace engine and trans mounts preemptively at 80k-100k to prevent accelerated CV axle and trans damage
Keep fuel above 1/4 tank to extend pump life and carry a spare crank sensor—it's a common stranding cause
A fun, under-the-radar performance sedan if you address the trans cooler and mounts early, but the 4T65E and AFM piston issues make this a gamble above 100k miles without documented preventive work—budget $3k-5k reserve for powertrain repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Side post terminals; high output battery recommended for 5.3L V8
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Control Modules — 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS
Every control module on the 2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala SS — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Passlock II system. BCM replacement requires full theft relearn with 30-minute procedure.
Tire Pressure Monitor Control Module (TPMS)relearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated within BCM
🔧 Tech 2 or TPMS relearn tool
⚠️ 2007+ models; sensor ID relearn required after tire rotation or sensor replacement
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
STEERING · 09E005000
2009-02-17
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE · 06V419000
2006-10-31
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MISSING THE ADHESIVE LAYER THAT BONDS THE BARRIER LAYER TO THE OUTER SHELL OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: WITH THIS CONDITION, FUEL AND/OR FUEL VAPORS COULD SEEP OUT BETWEEN THE LAYERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS 5.3L V8 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.