← 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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

48 reports
Clear category filter
10,203 miles · Jul 27, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS: FIRST THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO WORK. THEN THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR..(WHICH HAS TO BE MANUALLY OPENED AND CLOSED). NOW THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS UNDEPENDABLE. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING A HAZARD TO DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE IN THAT THE SAFETY OF THE INGRESS AND EGRESS OF THE PASSENGERS CANNOT BE GUA…

Read full complaint

DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS: FIRST THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO WORK. THEN THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR..(WHICH HAS TO BE MANUALLY OPENED AND CLOSED). NOW THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS UNDEPENDABLE. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING A HAZARD TO DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE IN THAT THE SAFETY OF THE INGRESS AND EGRESS OF THE PASSENGERS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AND THIS CAN BECOME A DEFINITE HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532148

150,000 miles · Jul 12, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

BOTH REAR AND THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITH EITHER FOB KEY CONTROL OR DRIVER/PASSENGER DOOR CONTROLS. TOTALING THREE DOOR LOCK FAILURES IN TWO YEARS. THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY HAZARD TO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AS THERE IS NO FAST OR EASY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS ONCE LOCKED TO GET THE CHILD …

Read full complaint

BOTH REAR AND THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITH EITHER FOB KEY CONTROL OR DRIVER/PASSENGER DOOR CONTROLS. TOTALING THREE DOOR LOCK FAILURES IN TWO YEARS. THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY HAZARD TO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AS THERE IS NO FAST OR EASY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS ONCE LOCKED TO GET THE CHILD OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. I REQUEST THIS BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER FOR A RECALL AS IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN IN CAR SEAT ON THE BACK SEAT, WHICH THERE IS NO QUICK WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO REMOVE THEM IN AN EMERGENCY. MECHANIC STATES: THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2008 AND 2009 CHEVY IMPALA VEHICLES. THESE MODEL YEARS WERE PRODUCED WITH A TYPE OF GREASE THAT BLEEDS INTO THE LATCH ACTUATOR. AFTER TIME THE CARBON FROM THE MOTOR BRUSHES BUILDS UP AROUND THE ACTUATOR MOTOR AND SHORTS THE COMMUNICATOR. RESULTING IN NO POWER LOCK OR UNLOCK FUNCTION. REQUIRING FULL LOCK REPLACEMENT TOTALING OVER $1,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524594

69,100 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

POWER DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING ON REAR DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN 3 WEEKS LATER THE REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE QUIT WORKING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND YOU THINK THE DOORS ARE LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521064

92,146 miles · May 13, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND FINALLY WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL WITH AUTO DOOR LOCK OR KEY FOB. IT IS ALSO STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK SO I KNOW IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511687

92,334 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW IT DOES NOT RESPOND. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEAS HELP. I…

Read full complaint

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW IT DOES NOT RESPOND. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEAS HELP. IS THERE ANY WAY A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE RIGHT REAR DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH A KEY BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY HOLE. THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY HOLE ON TO UNLOCK A DOOR WITH THE CAR KEY AND IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503086

62,000 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2008 CHEVY IMPALA. RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT FOLLOWED SUIT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NOW, SOME 5 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER DOOR IS BEHAVING THE SAME WAY. IT MAKES TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE…

Read full complaint

2008 CHEVY IMPALA. RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT FOLLOWED SUIT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NOW, SOME 5 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER DOOR IS BEHAVING THE SAME WAY. IT MAKES TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE THE MENTAL CAPACITY TO REMEMBER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WHICH COULD LEAD TO FURTHER INJURY OR DEATH. WIRING HARNESS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE IS POORLY DESIGNED AND LOCATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WIRING BREAKS AND MAKING IT SO ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEVICES DO NOT DISENGAGE THUS NOT LETTING THE KEY BE REMOVED, THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK, AND OTHER FAILURES YET TO BE IDENTIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502487

11,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED INTERMITTINGLY. THE DOOR WOULD NOT ALWAYS LOCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE DOORS WERE LOCKED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE F…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED INTERMITTINGLY. THE DOOR WOULD NOT ALWAYS LOCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE DOORS WERE LOCKED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500961

100,000 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS WERE INDEPENDENTLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE ALL FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS I…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS WERE INDEPENDENTLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE ALL FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATORS AND COMPUTERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10496867

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSuspension

WE ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE TO REPLACE OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES. WE BOUGHT OUR IMPALA NEW AND REPLACED OUR FIRST SET OF TIRES AT FEB. 2010 (38,000 MILES). REPLACED AGAIN AT 54,000 MILES DEC. 2011. REPLACED AGAIN AT 65,000 NOV. OF 2012 AND IT IS IN NEED OT NEW REAR TIRES AGAIN AT 72,000. CAR SHAKES AND BACK END SLIDES IN BAD W…

Read full complaint

WE ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE TO REPLACE OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES. WE BOUGHT OUR IMPALA NEW AND REPLACED OUR FIRST SET OF TIRES AT FEB. 2010 (38,000 MILES). REPLACED AGAIN AT 54,000 MILES DEC. 2011. REPLACED AGAIN AT 65,000 NOV. OF 2012 AND IT IS IN NEED OT NEW REAR TIRES AGAIN AT 72,000. CAR SHAKES AND BACK END SLIDES IN BAD WEATHER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT IT NEEDS A CAMBOR KIT. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CHEVROLET PRODUCED A FAULTY SUSPENSION ROD AND RECALLED "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLES BUT NOT CONSUMER VEHICLES. DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN VEHICLE OR ALLOWING MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE IT. MY CAR IS ALIGNED AND TIRES ROTATED AND SERVICED FREQUENTLY! TIRES WEAR DOWN TO METAL STICKING OUT OF TIRES AND INNER WEAR IS INCREDIBLE. LEFT TIRE BEHIND THE DRIVER IS THE QUICKEST TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND BEGIN TO CAUSE CAR TO SHAKE. SECONDLY, REAR DOOR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS QUITE WORKING AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNING CAR. HOW DO I BECOME PART OF THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496162

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE LEFT REAR DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND THE REMOTE OPENER AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S ELECTRIC LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN OR LOCK THE LEFT REAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I WAS ADVISED BY LOCAL GM DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SAFETY RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT INVOLVED PASSENGERS WHO WOULD BE RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE…

Read full complaint

THE LEFT REAR DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND THE REMOTE OPENER AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S ELECTRIC LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN OR LOCK THE LEFT REAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I WAS ADVISED BY LOCAL GM DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SAFETY RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT INVOLVED PASSENGERS WHO WOULD BE RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480855

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.