IllustrationWhile driving at highway speeds the car will act up and the engine will shut off, I get the message on the odometer display that reads, Engine power is reduced, service throttle, starter disabled. This is not a good thing to have happen while driving.
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
12 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWED LOW LEVELS OF OIL AND POWER STEERING FLUIDS. A DEALER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWED LOW LEVELS OF OIL AND POWER STEERING FLUIDS. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON INTERMINTENTLY WHILE DRIVING HAD THE THROTTLE BODY AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPLCAED TWICE AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 75000 MILES ON IT. STILL THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON. JUST YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. THROTTLE PROBLEMS LIGHT CAME ON IN WINDOW
AS I WAS DRIVING, AROUND 30 MPH, THE WARNING DISPLAYS "REDUCED ENGINE SPEED" AND THE CAR WILL BARELY REACH 45 MPH. TWICE IN 5 YEARS, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR.
HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE REDUCE CAR IS JERKING AND SLOWING DOWN I HAD THE PATIO REPLACED AND ONE SENSOR AND NOW I AM HAVING A THROTTLEBODY PUT ON HOPEFULLY HOPEFULLY THIS STOPS THE PROBLEM BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH …
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TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE REDUCE CAR IS JERKING AND SLOWING DOWN I HAD THE PATIO REPLACED AND ONE SENSOR AND NOW I AM HAVING A THROTTLEBODY PUT ON HOPEFULLY HOPEFULLY THIS STOPS THE PROBLEM BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH THAT HAS THE SAME CAR AS ME ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS UNFORTUNATELY I LOOK THESE PROBLEMS UP IN OUR CARS FOR THE 2008 CHEVY AND WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST WHICH I THINK THAT IT SHOULD
THROTTLE PEDAL GONE BAD /SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING ?
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.
WAS DRIVING ON BUSY ONE LANE ROAD, REDUCED SPEED, CHECK TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 45 AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF ROAD AND SHUT CAR OFF STARTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER NO INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. WENT TO INTERNET TO CHECK PROB…
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WAS DRIVING ON BUSY ONE LANE ROAD, REDUCED SPEED, CHECK TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 45 AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF ROAD AND SHUT CAR OFF STARTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER NO INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. WENT TO INTERNET TO CHECK PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN 100,000 S OF THESE PROBLEMS MANY RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS. IT DOES NOT SHOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A FREEWAY WITH TRUCKS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHAT HAS THE VEHICLE SAFETY BOARD DONE TO PROTECT OWNERS OF FAULTY VEHICLES? *TR
OUT OF NOWHERE MY DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FOR ALL THREE PASSENGER DOORS ARE NOT WORKING NEITHER IS MY TRUNK OPENING AND TO MAKE IT WORSE IM SITTING IN MY JOB PARKING LOT WITH THE A/C ON WAITING FOR MY BREAK TO BE OVER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS BLOWING AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE INSIDE THE CAR AND I LOOKED AT MY DASH AND MY TEMP LE…
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
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.