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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

Power Train complaints

91 reports
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109,890 miles · May 2, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE STALLS OUT. FOR EXAMPLE AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CARS STALLS AND WON'T PICK UP SPEED, IT THEN JERKS HARD AND DRIVE AS USUAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586095

30,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WERE BOTH UNABLE TO LOCATE THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WERE BOTH UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586004

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVEY IMPALA LT. THE FAILURE OCCURED APRIL 2014. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND YOU HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CONTACT BRAKES FAILED AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE, PREVENTING HER FROM STOPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY IGNITION FAILED. THE C…

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TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVEY IMPALA LT. THE FAILURE OCCURED APRIL 2014. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND YOU HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CONTACT BRAKES FAILED AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE, PREVENTING HER FROM STOPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY IGNITION FAILED. THE CURRENT MILLAGE IS 109,000. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10585318

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2014
EnginePower TrainSuspension

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT 2007, AND IN SEPT 2009, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER 100% WARRANTY AND SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED A FOR A SECOND TIME, AND L…

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2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT 2007, AND IN SEPT 2009, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER 100% WARRANTY AND SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED A FOR A SECOND TIME, AND LASTED UNTIL MARCH 2014. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR A 3RD TIME AND IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN 7 YEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE FROM A STOP. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED ENGINE MOUNT AND STABILIZER LINKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10583794

35,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT'S TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT'S TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576931

80,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576022

111,690 miles · Mar 20, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlInjury

WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING ALL AT ONCE WHICH CAUSED A JERKING MOTION OF THE CAR CAUSING ME(THE DRIVER) TO BE THROWN FORWARD HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALL HAPPENED VERY FAST AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD AND IS STILL …

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WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING ALL AT ONCE WHICH CAUSED A JERKING MOTION OF THE CAR CAUSING ME(THE DRIVER) TO BE THROWN FORWARD HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALL HAPPENED VERY FAST AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD AND IS STILL ON THE DASH BOARD. AS I SAID IT ALL HAPPENED VERY FAST BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRACE MYSELF SLIGHTLY WHICH IS THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. THIS ISSUE WHICH NOW AFTER SPEAKING TO MY CAR MECHANIC AND ME SEEING MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IS A DEATH SENTENCE TO SOMEONE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THE CAR LOSING THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ALL AT ONCE ALONG WITH A JERKING MOTION THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO HAVE A FOOT ON THE GAS AND A FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO BE ABLE TO STOP SHOULD THE CAR TAKE OFF ON IT OWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573779

108,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

IN JUNE 2012 I HAD THIS PROBLEM ERROR MESSAGE READ: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED " AS I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY MPH FELL BELOW TO 40 I HAD TO GET OFF HIGHWAY. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED SO I THOUGHT IT COST ME ABOUT 360 DOLLARS. SAME EXACT RECURRING PROBLEM SAME ERROR MESSAGE TODAY 12/09/13. THIS IS RIDICULOUS GM HAS TO KNOW THI…

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IN JUNE 2012 I HAD THIS PROBLEM ERROR MESSAGE READ: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED " AS I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY MPH FELL BELOW TO 40 I HAD TO GET OFF HIGHWAY. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED SO I THOUGHT IT COST ME ABOUT 360 DOLLARS. SAME EXACT RECURRING PROBLEM SAME ERROR MESSAGE TODAY 12/09/13. THIS IS RIDICULOUS GM HAS TO KNOW THIS IS NOT SAFE. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR AGAIN AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. TOO MUCH MONEY FOR ME TO CONTINUE PAYING OVER N OVER AGAIN. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS CAR IT'S OUTRAGEOUS! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555375

120,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10549227

76,330 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Power Train

I TURNED MY CAR ON, PUT ON MY SEAT BELT, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND TRIED TO SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE. I COULD NOT PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER IN, AND THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A QUICK RELEASE BUTTON UNDERNEATH THE CENTER CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGE…

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I TURNED MY CAR ON, PUT ON MY SEAT BELT, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND TRIED TO SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE. I COULD NOT PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER IN, AND THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A QUICK RELEASE BUTTON UNDERNEATH THE CENTER CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. I HAD TO PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, TURN ON MY CAR, HAVE SOMEONE REACH UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TO PRESS THE BUTTON, AND SHIFT INTO DRIVE WHILE THEY HELD THE BUTTON. I STILL AM UNABLE TO SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK UNLESS SOMEONE IS HOLDING THAT BUTTON. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545582

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.