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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

Equipment complaints

10 reports
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83,000 miles · Jan 5, 2017
EquipmentVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10939812

95,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipmentFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD WAIT FOR THE FIRE TO DISSOLVE BEFORE NOTIFYING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD WAIT FOR THE FIRE TO DISSOLVE BEFORE NOTIFYING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO DISSOLVE AND THERE WAS NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR WIRING CONNECTION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640274

92,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE AC FAN FAILED TO BLOW OUT AIR TO FULL CAPACITY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE CLICKING SOUND STOPPED, THE AC FAN WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE AC FAN FAILED TO BLOW OUT AIR TO FULL CAPACITY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE CLICKING SOUND STOPPED, THE AC FAN WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10627497

126,000 miles · Oct 7, 2013
EquipmentSteering

DRIVING MY CAR OVER A WATER PUDDLE THE STEERING QUIT WORKING FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 SECONDS , THIS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547148

50,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE HE COULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE HE COULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451160

65,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Equipment

AFTER PARKING A 2008 IMPALA ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE I TOOK THE LUG NUTS OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE . I THEN PLACED THE JACK (WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE EVER ) UNDER THE PROPER FITTING POINTS AS SHOWN IN THE MANUAL BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. AND JACKED THE CAR UP UNTIL THE TIRE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR. AFTER T…

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AFTER PARKING A 2008 IMPALA ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE I TOOK THE LUG NUTS OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE . I THEN PLACED THE JACK (WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE EVER ) UNDER THE PROPER FITTING POINTS AS SHOWN IN THE MANUAL BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. AND JACKED THE CAR UP UNTIL THE TIRE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR. AFTER THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY OFF I WAS VISUALLY INSPECTING THE BRAKE PADS BUT NOT TOUCHING IT WHEN THE JACK BEGAN TO BREAK OFF FROM THE BASE. AS I MOVED AWAY TO PROTECT MYSELF THE JACK COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE BASE AND THE CAR LANDED ON THE GROUND, BROKEN JACK AND ROTOR . I THEN CALLED AAA WHO TOOK A 3 TON JACK AND INSERTED IT UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND JACKED IT UP ENOUGH TO PUT THE TIRE BACK ON . NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I HAVE CHANGED THE TIRES ON MANY CARS AND TRUCKS. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW WHO WILL BE INSPECTING MY CAR AND HOPEFULLY REPLACING THE JACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401176

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2011
Equipment

OWNER WAS TRYING TO REPLACE HIS RIGHT FRONT TIRE AT THE TIME OF THE COLLAPSE. HIS CAR WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE AND HE INSTALLED THE JACK ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. UPON RAISING THE CAR THE JACK BENT ALLOWING THE CAR TO SHIFT AND FALL DOWN. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT USED PROPERLY. AFT…

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OWNER WAS TRYING TO REPLACE HIS RIGHT FRONT TIRE AT THE TIME OF THE COLLAPSE. HIS CAR WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE AND HE INSTALLED THE JACK ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. UPON RAISING THE CAR THE JACK BENT ALLOWING THE CAR TO SHIFT AND FALL DOWN. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT USED PROPERLY. AFTER TALKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE CLAIMING THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE DEALER AGREED TO SUPPLY A NEW ONE ONLY IF THE FAILED JACK WAS GIVEN TO THEM HE DECLINED AND IS WILLING TO SEND IT TO NHTSA FOR INSPECTION. OWNER FEELS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A NEW CAR. UPDATED EVOQ 03/18/11 UPDATED 4/25/11 *CN UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392047

42,000 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Equipment

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING . THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING . THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS TORN DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST HIM WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WHEN HE PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD SHREDDED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE BELT, ONLY FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AS SOON AS HE TURNED ON THE AC. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AC COMPRESSOR. UPDATED 01/10/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10355991

48,562 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Equipment

SCISSOR JACK PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER FAILED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT, THE JACK FAILED WHILE WHEEL WAS REMOVED CAUSING CAR TO DROP TO THE GROUND. JACK USE INSTRUCTIONS REVIEWED AN FOLLOWED. SURFACE ADEQUATELY FLAT AND SOLID. JACK BASE ENDED UP BENT AS DID THE SCISSOR MECHANISM. JACK FAILURE HAS POTENTIAL FOR BOTH I…

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SCISSOR JACK PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER FAILED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT, THE JACK FAILED WHILE WHEEL WAS REMOVED CAUSING CAR TO DROP TO THE GROUND. JACK USE INSTRUCTIONS REVIEWED AN FOLLOWED. SURFACE ADEQUATELY FLAT AND SOLID. JACK BASE ENDED UP BENT AS DID THE SCISSOR MECHANISM. JACK FAILURE HAS POTENTIAL FOR BOTH INJURY AND VEHICLE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336952

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicTires

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW IMPALA, YEAR 2008. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES I EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE REAR WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO RADLEY CHEVROLET IN FREDERICKSBURG, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND IT WAS MY FAULT AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE WAS NOT CORRECT AND…

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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW IMPALA, YEAR 2008. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES I EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE REAR WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO RADLEY CHEVROLET IN FREDERICKSBURG, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND IT WAS MY FAULT AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE WAS NOT CORRECT AND UNEVEN. I NEVER TOUCHED THE LUG NUTS OR ROTATED THE TIRES AS THE TORQUE ISSUE WAS REAR ONLY AND TREAD WEAR PROVED THERE HAD BEEN NO ROTATION. I WENT TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO STATED THE RADLEY SERVICE MANAGER WAS SUCH A GREAT GUY AND HE BELIEVED THE SERVICE MANAGER. WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT THE TREAD WEAR PROVED THE TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED HE THEN TOLD ME THAT NOT ROTATING THE TIRES WAS A MAINTENANCE VIOLATION ALSO. I ASKED HIM THAT NOW YOU ARE CLAIMING THE UNEVEN TORQUE WAS DUE TO ME NOT ROTATING THE TIRES. I AM FRUSTRATED AS I AM RIGHT AND NEVER TOUCHED THOSE TIRES OR NUTS. I AM NOT EVEN SURE WHERE THE WRENCH IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242184

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.