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2008 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

665 reports with mileage · 145 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 221 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

51 crash reports10 fire reports36 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

50 reports
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111,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AFTER PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BOTH SHOULDERS, LEFT FOREARM, BRUISING A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AFTER PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BOTH SHOULDERS, LEFT FOREARM, BRUISING AND SWELLING TO THE UPPER CHEST CAVITY AND LOWER ABDOMEN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10896071

15,000 miles · Aug 1, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN ROYALTON, VT TRAVELING FROM BURLINGTON, VT WHERE I WAS VISITING FAMILY TO MY HOME IN MAINE. I WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH IN THE MEDIAN, I'M NOT SURE WHY BUT THEY THINK I MAY HAVE HIT SOME BLACK ICE. I ENDED UP IN THE DARTMOUTH HOSPITAL REQUIRING MAJOR SURGERY TO MY BACK AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PROB…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN ROYALTON, VT TRAVELING FROM BURLINGTON, VT WHERE I WAS VISITING FAMILY TO MY HOME IN MAINE. I WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH IN THE MEDIAN, I'M NOT SURE WHY BUT THEY THINK I MAY HAVE HIT SOME BLACK ICE. I ENDED UP IN THE DARTMOUTH HOSPITAL REQUIRING MAJOR SURGERY TO MY BACK AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PROBLEMS. I SPENT 6 WEEKS IN REHAB LEARNING HOW TO WALK AGAIN. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. I WAS WORRIED MORE ABOUT MY RECOVERY AT THE TIME AND NOT ABOUT WHY MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T INFLATE BUT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS LATELY THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I TRADED IN THE CAR A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER SO I DID NOT GET ANY NOTICES ABOUT THE PROBLEM.. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN A LAWSUIT FILED BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT IT - PROBABLY BECAUSE I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTION TO THIS SITUATION

NHTSA ODI #10892325

55,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN CHANGING TEMPERATURE IN VEHICLE, A LOUD CLACKING NOISE IS HEARD FOR UP TO 2-3 MINUTES EVEN IF VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT AND STABLIZER TRAC SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. OIL LEAK UNDER CAR. ONLY 55,000 MILES. CAN BE HEARD 50 YEARS AWAY FROM CAR IT IS SO LOUD. 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT

NHTSA ODI #10853441

72,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVNG 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVNG 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10824531

112,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY AND QUITE OFTEN. THE CHEVROLET DEALER TOLD ME THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON OR WHEN THE SEATBELT LATCH TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #10823692

109,250 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Air Bags

CAME OVER ON INDICATOR AIR BAG NEEDS SERVICE

NHTSA ODI #10820705

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA LTZ FROM A REPUTABLE CERTIFIED USED CAR DEALERSHIP (MERROLIS CHEVROLET 9 MILE AND GRATIOT). I ALSO HAD A WARRANTY. IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS I HAD A SERVICE INVOICE FOR OVER 1300.00 THE CAR NEEDED A AIRBAG COIL REPLACEMENT (477.00) STEERING DIFFICULTIES. ALSO. THE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT (877.…

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I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA LTZ FROM A REPUTABLE CERTIFIED USED CAR DEALERSHIP (MERROLIS CHEVROLET 9 MILE AND GRATIOT). I ALSO HAD A WARRANTY. IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS I HAD A SERVICE INVOICE FOR OVER 1300.00 THE CAR NEEDED A AIRBAG COIL REPLACEMENT (477.00) STEERING DIFFICULTIES. ALSO. THE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT (877.00). THIS MAKES THE CAR SOUND LIKE IT NEEDS A NEW MUFFLER. I COMPLAINED TO THE MANAGER IN SERVICE AND I'M AWAITING A RESPONSE 11-13-15. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME BACK ON FRIDAY 11-13-15 BUT DID NOT.

NHTSA ODI #10790492

55,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10779777

83,456 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS GOING NORTH ON SCHOOL STREET I HAD A GREEN LIGHT. I CAR GOING WEST ON ROCKTON RAN THE RED LIGHT AND HIT MY CAR CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO A TREE. I HAD A HEAD CONCUSSIONS AND 6 BROKEN RIBS.MY AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10745468

105,200 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

AS I WAS DRIVING, I GOT A NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD THAT READ "ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION OR SOMEWHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. AS I DROVE, THE POWER TO MY VEHICLE HAD REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY. DURING THIS TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL…

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AS I WAS DRIVING, I GOT A NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD THAT READ "ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION OR SOMEWHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. AS I DROVE, THE POWER TO MY VEHICLE HAD REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY. DURING THIS TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE CAR BEGIN TO OPERATE WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER THE DAY OF THE INITIAL INCIDENT, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR 2 MORE TIMES ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2011 AND I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS SO I AM NOT SURE WHERE OR WHY THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING BUT I AM DEFINITELY NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY GLOVEBOX AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. IS THERE A RECALL THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT AFFECTS THESE ISSUES? IF NOT, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I AM A PROUD CHEVY OWNER AND WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN LOYAL TO CHEVY HOWEVER IF I AM NOT ABLE TO GET SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION FOR THESE PROBLEMS, I MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT GOING TO A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701413

Official recalls

2

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

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 & remedy

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.

12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Aug 3, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14001 · Passenger Air Bag Ocs Algorithm

Opened Jul 22, 2014 · Closed Mar 7, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Air Bags

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.