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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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40,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityLatches/locks/linkages

THE BACK DOORS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL ONLY LOCK AND UNLOCK MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621175

37,637 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesSuspension

ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING FROM THE DRIVER DOOR CONTROL OR THE FOB. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IS TO PHYSICALLY PULL UP ON THE LOCK. IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, I WILL BE UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITHOUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THE DOOR LOCK. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR MAY SUDDENLY …

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ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING FROM THE DRIVER DOOR CONTROL OR THE FOB. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IS TO PHYSICALLY PULL UP ON THE LOCK. IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, I WILL BE UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS WITHOUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THE DOOR LOCK. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR MAY SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. I'M AFRAID I WILL BE KILLED WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR! THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN REALLIGNED AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THIS FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 37637 MILES, THIS IS AN INJUSTICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607806

58,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS WON'T OPERATE WITH A KEY FOB OR THE DOOR PANEL AND THERE'S NO KEY ACCESS ANYWHERE OUTSIDE EXCEPT THE DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IS THE ONLY LOCK THAT CURRENTLY WORKS...WITH CHILDREN OR ADULTS IN THE BACK SEAT OR THE PASSENGER SIDE THIS CREATES A SERIOUS HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR THE NEED TO ENTER THE CA…

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3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS WON'T OPERATE WITH A KEY FOB OR THE DOOR PANEL AND THERE'S NO KEY ACCESS ANYWHERE OUTSIDE EXCEPT THE DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IS THE ONLY LOCK THAT CURRENTLY WORKS...WITH CHILDREN OR ADULTS IN THE BACK SEAT OR THE PASSENGER SIDE THIS CREATES A SERIOUS HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR THE NEED TO ENTER THE CAR URGENTLY IF BEING PURSUED BY AN ABDUCTOR. SMALL CHILDREN WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE BACK SEAT TO ACCESS THE LOCK MANUALLY OR LOSE PRECIOUS TIME ROLLING WINDOWS DOWN AND GETTING OUT OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR....THIS VEHICLE IS LOW MILEAGE AND THESE LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE. MANY HAVE BEEN BLOGGING ABOUT THESE DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS AND GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS STAT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606540

60,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

PICKING UP GRAND CHILDREN AT CURBSIDE FROM SCHOOL THE DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK CAUSING ME TO GO OUT IN TRAFFIC GET IN THE CAR AND START IT IN ORDER TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS SO THAT THE KIDS CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY THAT IS IF THEY ARE NOT DISTRACTED BY SOMETHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT A 4, 6 AND 7 Y…

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PICKING UP GRAND CHILDREN AT CURBSIDE FROM SCHOOL THE DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK CAUSING ME TO GO OUT IN TRAFFIC GET IN THE CAR AND START IT IN ORDER TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS SO THAT THE KIDS CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY THAT IS IF THEY ARE NOT DISTRACTED BY SOMETHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT A 4, 6 AND 7 YEAR OLD WILL DO. ALSO THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK FEATURE DOESN'T WORK WHEN CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604638

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I TOO AM VERY UPSET WITH THE ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE. THE BACK PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB OR THE DOOR UNLOCK CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO PHYSICALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR IS TO RECLINE THE DRIVERS SEAT AND REACH BACK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THIS IS B.S. I HAVE DONE MU…

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I TOO AM VERY UPSET WITH THE ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE. THE BACK PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB OR THE DOOR UNLOCK CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO PHYSICALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR IS TO RECLINE THE DRIVERS SEAT AND REACH BACK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THIS IS B.S. I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS SUBJECT AND WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS SO DISTURBING! I WISH CHEVROLET WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE IT RIGHT TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599010

60,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PAID HALF THE COST. UPDATED 8/21/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10594481

45,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

THE REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE OR WHEN USING DRIVER MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH. PROBLEM BEGAN SOON AFTER PURCHASE. HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. KNOWN ISSUE WITH LUBRICATION GREASE ENTERING ACTUATOR MOTOR AND SHORTING MOTOR CONNECTIONS. VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH 07 08…

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THE REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE OR WHEN USING DRIVER MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH. PROBLEM BEGAN SOON AFTER PURCHASE. HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. KNOWN ISSUE WITH LUBRICATION GREASE ENTERING ACTUATOR MOTOR AND SHORTING MOTOR CONNECTIONS. VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH 07 08 IMPALAS, ALSO SIMILAR YEAR MALIBUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544512

103,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK CONTINUES TO FAIL UPON DEPRESSION OF UNLOCK BUTTON ON FOB OR INSIDE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544496

67,124 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

REAR DOOR PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY. THEY LOCK IS ALSO POSITIONED WAY TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE DOOR MAKING IT VERY TROUBLESOME TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543366

52,000 miles · Aug 3, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER REAR DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THEY LOCK BUT DON'T OPEN. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE LOCKS ARE AT THE BACK/REAR OF THE CAR AND CANNOT BE ACCESSED FROM THE FRONT. .I CANNOT ENTER AND REMOVE MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM THERE CAR SEATS IN AN EMERGENCY LIKE A CAR FIRE AND CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THEY ARE…

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THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER REAR DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THEY LOCK BUT DON'T OPEN. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE LOCKS ARE AT THE BACK/REAR OF THE CAR AND CANNOT BE ACCESSED FROM THE FRONT. .I CANNOT ENTER AND REMOVE MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM THERE CAR SEATS IN AN EMERGENCY LIKE A CAR FIRE AND CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THEY ARE STILL IN THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533388

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.