IllustrationKNOW ISSUE OF HEATER GOING OUT AND TICKING SOUND. HEAT NOT ON ONE SIDE OF THE CAR.
2008 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
11125–50K
14950–75K
11675–100K
141100–150K
59150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
221 reportsALL DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR WITH THE INSIDE LOCK BUTTONS ON THE INTERIOR DOOR. EACH DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN GEAR, THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THE DOORS EACH HAVE TO BE MA…
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ALL DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR WITH THE INSIDE LOCK BUTTONS ON THE INTERIOR DOOR. EACH DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN GEAR, THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THE DOORS EACH HAVE TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE ONLY KEYHOLE ON THE CAR IS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET FOR THE YEAR MODELS 2008 AND 2009. THE PARTS ALONE ARE $450 TO $1,000. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE: 1. THE DOORS NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN GEAR. AUTOMATIC LOCKS WERE MOST LIKELY LISTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER. 2. IF A CHILD IS LOCKED IN THE CAR, THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE AND CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. 3. NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR WITH THE KEY IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. MY CAR ONLY HAS 45,100 MILES ON IT AND THE LOCKS HAVE NOT WORKED IN OVER TWO YEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *JS
SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. CAR WAS PARKED IN A CITY PARKING LOT
THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU MUST USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DRIVER DOOR AND MANUALLY OPEN THE OTHER DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THE REMOTE KEY SYSTEM IS NOT EFFECTIVE WHEN LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE. I ASKED REED LALLIER DEALERSHIP IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON …
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THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU MUST USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DRIVER DOOR AND MANUALLY OPEN THE OTHER DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THE REMOTE KEY SYSTEM IS NOT EFFECTIVE WHEN LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE. I ASKED REED LALLIER DEALERSHIP IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LOCKS BUT IT ONLY APPLIES TO THE "SS" MODEL AND NOT THE LT, EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUES ARE THE SAME. THE ISSUE STARTED LAST SUMMER AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE THIS YEAR, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 75 AND BELOW THE LOCKS FUNCTION FINE. THE MALFUNCTION ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES INDICATING TRACTION OFF. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A TURN, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES INDICATING TRACTION OFF. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A TURN, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALER AT AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALER AT AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FIRE STARTED IN THE FUSE BOX. NO AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS WERE ADDED TO THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO ADDITIONAL LOAD WAS PUT ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
RANDOM CLICKING AND TICKING RATHER IT'S ON OR OFF.
BLINKING AIRBAG LIGHT THAT IS UNABLE TO BE CLEARED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER ENTERING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Official recalls
214V355000 · 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
1DP14001 · 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.