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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

48 reports
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39,000 miles · Sep 4, 2017
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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 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

NHTSA ODI #11021372

60,000 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDED 85 DEGREES, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (CHUCK FAIRBANKS CHEVROLET, DESOTO, TEXAS) WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDED 85 DEGREES, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (CHUCK FAIRBANKS CHEVROLET, DESOTO, TEXAS) WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10995357

46,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10818976

103,358 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM LOCKING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR ACTUATORS WERE DEFECTIVE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM LOCKING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR ACTUATORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,358.

NHTSA ODI #10761072

105,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE VEHICLE THEY HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE LOCKS THROUGH THE WINDOWS OR ADJUST THE SEAT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE VEHICLE THEY HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE LOCKS THROUGH THE WINDOWS OR ADJUST THE SEAT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE LOCKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. MA 09/25 THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/28/16*JB

NHTSA ODI #10744524

46,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

WHEN I ATTEMPT TO LOCK OR EVEN UNLOCK MY CHEVROLET WITH THE REMOTE, THE DOOR LOCKS REACT ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES THEY ALL UNLOCK WHEN I PUSH THE REMOTE AND SOMETIMES ONLY1, 2 OR 3 WILL UNLOCK. SINCE I CARRY MY GUN IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES, MY WIFE AND I HAVE TO ALWAYS STAND BY THE CAR TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK WHEN…

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

NHTSA ODI #10658944

150,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. HOWEVER, THE DOORS AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. HOWEVER, THE DOORS AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPENED IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOORS BY USING THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10648805

70,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE DOORS HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE DOORS HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR MOTOR MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/19/14*CN UPDATED 8/13/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10643305

28,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE COULD ONLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE COULD ONLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10626779

58,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS LOCK / UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED ALL THE DOOR LOCKS SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, BUT THEY DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK. IN ADDITION, WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR AND HIT THE DOOR LOCK KEY ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK. WHEN YOU START THE CAR YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY CHECK THE DOOR LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THE…

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THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS LOCK / UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED ALL THE DOOR LOCKS SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, BUT THEY DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK. IN ADDITION, WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR AND HIT THE DOOR LOCK KEY ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK. WHEN YOU START THE CAR YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY CHECK THE DOOR LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ALL LOCKED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IN ADDITION,WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR, YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY MAKER SURE ALL THE DOOR LOCKS ACTUALLY LOCK.WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED A FEW VEHICLES FOR THE DOOR LOCK FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THEY INDICATED THAT THE GREASE USED FOR THE LOCKS MELTED AND LEAKED INTO THE LOCK SOLENOID CAUSING THE FAILURES. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN THE 2008/2009 CHEVY IMPALA AND MALIBU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621362

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.