← New search

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 →

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

Engine complaints

134 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND FAULT CODE: P-2135 WAS RETRIEVED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ECM, THROTTLE BODY, ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM, AND THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE ECM AND THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11166807

144,250 miles · Oct 6, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSuspension

MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED' MESSAGE IN ADDITION TO LOSING CAPABILITY OF DRIVING FASTER THAN 40 MPH LIKELY AS A RESULT OF A COMMON FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #11138845

59,502 miles · Jun 28, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. STATEN ISLAND BUICK GMC (1855 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305) DIAGNOSED THAT SENSORS T2135: (THROTTLE BODY) AND P2138: (ACCELERATOR PEDAL ACTUATOR)…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. STATEN ISLAND BUICK GMC (1855 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305) DIAGNOSED THAT SENSORS T2135: (THROTTLE BODY) AND P2138: (ACCELERATOR PEDAL ACTUATOR) FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,502.

NHTSA ODI #11104582

100,000 miles · Mar 30, 2018
Engine

WHEN MY IMPALA IS IN MOTION WITHIN THE MINUTES IT STATES ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND IT SLOWS DOWN THE CAR. IF I DRIVE 60 MPH OR MORE WHEN ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED THEN IT SAYS SERVICE SHUTTLING DOWN AND THE CAR WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IT'S A BIG SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11082238

57,000 miles · Dec 28, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other

LEAKING AND CAN'T IDENTIFY IF FRONT ENGINE COVER OIL IS LEAKING, OR ENGINE OIL FILTER ADAPTER GASKET, OR HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK. HELP! I WAS HAVING MY OIL CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #11057167

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

FIRST, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE KEY SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH IN D WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE, IT WON'T GO OVER 40 IN D3. NOT SURE WHY BUT THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE IMPALA.

NHTSA ODI #11018970

160,000 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ENGIME POWER REDUCED SEEVICE TRACTUON CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING POWER IS CUT TO NEAR NOTHING. ABOUT 20 MPH. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING A FEW HOURS LATER IT'S FINE. A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN. FAULTY EQUIPMENT FROM GM.

NHTSA ODI #11016524

34,000 miles · May 26, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REDUCE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REDUCE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WAS PAID, THE VEHICLE COULD BE COVERED UNDER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE MONEY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10991776

161,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AROUND 5:30PM CST ON US 59 N AND RANKIN RD TUESDAY 11/15/16 WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR STEER AND THE ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON IN THE CAR WAS THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM. I MANAGED, SOMEHOW, TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND PUT IT IN PAR…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AROUND 5:30PM CST ON US 59 N AND RANKIN RD TUESDAY 11/15/16 WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR STEER AND THE ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON IN THE CAR WAS THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM. I MANAGED, SOMEHOW, TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND PUT IT IN PARK. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I WENT START IT AGAIN, AFTER RELEASING THE KEY, IT MADE A STUTTERING TO START SOUND OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I WAS NO LONGER TOUCHING THE KEY. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN IT TURN ON AND THEN BACK OFF AND CONTINUED TO DO THIS AT LEAST 3 MORE TIMES. I EVENTUALLY HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND AFTER READING ONLINE TODAY AT FORUMS.EDMONDS.COM MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH IMPALA'S AND SUBURBAN'S FROM GM FOR AT LEAST 4 YEARS NOW, FIRST POST IS BACK IN 2012. GM NEEDS TO PUT A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE ISSUE BEFORE IT MORE FATALITIES, AS PROVEN IN THEIR EARLIER 2014-2015 RECALL. THEY JUST DID A RECALL ABOUT A YEAR AGO FOR IMPALA'S HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD THEN SWITCH INTO THE OFF POSITION WHILE DRIVING IF YOU HIT A BUMP TOO HARD AND HAD TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON YOUR KEYS. I GOT MY VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THAT RECALL ISSUE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEIR FIX FOR THAT WAS INCORRECT AND NOT THE ISSUE SEEING AS MY VEHICLE, AND SEVERAL OTHERS, STILL SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE IGNITION IS STILL IN THE ON (NOT OFF) POSITION, YOU LOSE ACCELERATION AND STEERING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WILL CAUSE MORE DEATHS, INJURIES, AND ACCIDENTS. PLEASE GET THIS TO GM AND HAVE THEM CORRECT THIS ISSUE IN ALL THEIR MODELS WITH SENSOR THROTTLE BODY'S INSTEAD OF WIRED ONES. THEY ALSO NEED TO FIX THE ISSUE OF DOOR AND A/C ACCUATORS IN THEIR MODELS, AS ITS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS A COMMON ISSUE IN GM MODELS. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE ISSUE FOR ALL DRIVERS GM OR NOT. MORE ACCIDENTS WILL FOLLOW.

NHTSA ODI #10926373

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…

Read full complaint

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

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.