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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

Electrical System complaints

221 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I WAS TOLD FROM A MECHANIC THE CAR HAS EITHER PCM OR ECM PROBLEMS. THE CAR STARTS TO DIE OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING IT THEN I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF THEN RESTART IT. IT JERKS REALLY HARD WHEN DRIVING IT. THE OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE MESSAGE COMES ON. IT JUST HAS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE OTHER IMPALAS …

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I WAS TOLD FROM A MECHANIC THE CAR HAS EITHER PCM OR ECM PROBLEMS. THE CAR STARTS TO DIE OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING IT THEN I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF THEN RESTART IT. IT JERKS REALLY HARD WHEN DRIVING IT. THE OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE MESSAGE COMES ON. IT JUST HAS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE OTHER IMPALAS LIKE MINE ARE HAVING EITHER ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS OR SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10916060

130,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

MY CAR STOPPED ON 630. IT SAID DISABLED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD TO SIT FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I THEN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE THAT STARTED AT 830AM AND STOPPED AT 832AM. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. DO NOT BUY ANY IMPALA, UNLESS YOU HAVE A LIFETIME OF FIXABLE RECALLS. IT'S HOT IN ARKANSAS AND TO STALL FO…

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MY CAR STOPPED ON 630. IT SAID DISABLED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD TO SIT FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I THEN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE THAT STARTED AT 830AM AND STOPPED AT 832AM. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. DO NOT BUY ANY IMPALA, UNLESS YOU HAVE A LIFETIME OF FIXABLE RECALLS. IT'S HOT IN ARKANSAS AND TO STALL FOR 15 MINUTES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHEN YOU CALL CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY CAN NOT HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING. THEY JUST TAKE YOUR VIN NUMBER AND STATE OH I DON'T SEE A RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH YOU READ 5598 PROBLEMS/SAME ISSUE YOU ARE HAVING WITH YOUR CAR. ERRATIC TRANSMISSION IS THE WHOLE PROBLEM. SO TO CHEVROLET AND COMPANY PLEASE THINK ABOUT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SALE A NEW CAR WITH USED PRODUCTS. IT'S NOT COOL AND THE SAD PART IS YOU WILL NOT FIX IT. WARRANT MY BEHIND CHEVY NEED A LIFETIME OF RECALLS FOR EVERYONE ON ALL CARS. MAY JESUS BE WITH YOUR COMPANY. SINCERELY A MOTHER OF 3 BOYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10894713

105,000 miles · Jul 30, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TWO DIFFERENT OUTCOMES BUT STEM FROM THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE I GET A CLICK AND CARE WON'T START AT ALL. SOMETIMES AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT DOES FIRE UP. ALSO WHEN IT DOES START IT WILL SOMETIMES STALL. MOST RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING DIDN'T THE INTERSTATE IT STALLED GOING 75MPH LEAVING ME TO COAST AND DISRUP…

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TWO DIFFERENT OUTCOMES BUT STEM FROM THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE I GET A CLICK AND CARE WON'T START AT ALL. SOMETIMES AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT DOES FIRE UP. ALSO WHEN IT DOES START IT WILL SOMETIMES STALL. MOST RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING DIDN'T THE INTERSTATE IT STALLED GOING 75MPH LEAVING ME TO COAST AND DISRUPT 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10891806

65,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE PARKED, BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE PARKED, BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10885928

75,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE A/C FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2012 FOR THE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE A/C FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2012 FOR THE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10876921

54,000 miles · May 24, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM. AUTOMATIC LOCK FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'DRIVE' DOES NOT FUNCTION UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE MANUAL LOCK RELEASES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS MANUALLY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION…

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REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM. AUTOMATIC LOCK FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'DRIVE' DOES NOT FUNCTION UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE MANUAL LOCK RELEASES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS MANUALLY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IF THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION, IT CAN DELAY ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10870601

78,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Electrical SystemTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10865509

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PULL THE KEY OUT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO FIRE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PULL THE KEY OUT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS RECALLED A YEAR AGO AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10853591

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

276,138 miles · Mar 25, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I WAS LEFT SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON I-94 WHEN THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" LIGHT, THEN SOMETHING ABOUT "DISABLING THROTTLE" SENSOR... MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN, LEAVING ME TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 94. I'VE OWNED THIS 2…

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I WAS LEFT SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON I-94 WHEN THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" LIGHT, THEN SOMETHING ABOUT "DISABLING THROTTLE" SENSOR... MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN, LEAVING ME TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 94. I'VE OWNED THIS 2008 IMPALA FOR JUST ABOUT A YEAR... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I RECEIVED THE LETTER ABOUT AN EXTENDED RECALL BACK IN DECEMBER AND I CALLED GM BECAUSE THERE'S A STIPULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF MILES YOU CAN HAVE ON YOUR CAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED... BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 276000 MILES GM TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AT THAT TIME I ASKED WHY THIS ITEM WASN'T RECALLED. I WAS TOLD IF I FELT THE PROBLEM CALLED FOR A RECALL I SHOULD REACH OUT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND SAFETY COMMISSION. I DON'T EVEN FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR ANYMORE... THIS IS A DEATH TRAP!

NHTSA ODI #10851577

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.