NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
91 reportsClear category filter81,000 miles · Mar 11, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV, THEN IT SLAMS INTO GEAR EVENTUALLY. HAVE ALSO NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER SOMEWHAT. HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. KINDA CRAPPY SINCE THE WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT ON T…
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WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV, THEN IT SLAMS INTO GEAR EVENTUALLY. HAVE ALSO NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER SOMEWHAT. HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. KINDA CRAPPY SINCE THE WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT ON THE DRIVE TRAIN ABOUT A MONTH AGO. PROBLEM ONLY SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS OF THIS ISSUE ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES THAT USE THE 4T65-HD TRANSMISSION AND THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502369
60,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DECELERATING TO A STOP OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AND START TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DECELERATING TO A STOP OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AND START TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #10493162
117,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Power TrainCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. THE DRIVER AND THE CONTACT SU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. THE DRIVER AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT ALSO SUFFERED AN ANKLE INJURY. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED A LEG INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ODI #10488795
73,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Power Train
AT A STOP SIGN ON SIGNAL, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST UNLESS STEPPING HARD ON GAS. TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP UNTIL ENGAGING AT HIGHER RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUES I'VE HAD. HAVE HAD DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WITH ME A…
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AT A STOP SIGN ON SIGNAL, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST UNLESS STEPPING HARD ON GAS. TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP UNTIL ENGAGING AT HIGHER RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUES I'VE HAD. HAVE HAD DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WITH ME AND IT STILL WOULD NOT TO IT. 10/1/2012. DOING THE SAME THING. 83,000 MILES. GM AND DEALER AWARE OF PREVIOUS ISSUES. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER OF GM THIS TIME. I GIVE UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478478
71,000 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Power Train
ACCELERATING AT APPROX. 30% ONTO INTERSTATE ON-RAMP, ENGINE RPM FLARE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD FROM 2ND, AND INTO 4TH FROM 3RD. HAS REPEATED OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE. FLUID IS NOT BURNED/DETERIORATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477229
68,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Power Train
THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR I GOT IN IT ABOUT 7 AM TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE I HEARD A NOISE SO I LOOKED AT THE SCREEN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED LIGHT WAS FLASHING AS WELL AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AF…
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THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR I GOT IN IT ABOUT 7 AM TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE I HEARD A NOISE SO I LOOKED AT THE SCREEN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED LIGHT WAS FLASHING AS WELL AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AFTER WORK AND THEY WILL LOOK AT IT. THE FIRST TIME THE SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY SO I REPLACED THAT. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THIS TIME THEY SAID I HAD A PINCHED WIRE AND THEY FIXED IT. AGAIN IT CAME ON WHEN I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS JARRED SO THEY RESET IT. A MONTH LATER ON AUGUST 18, 2012 I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO TURN RIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN MY CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR COMING AROUND THE CURVE. I GOT SCARED SO I TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME AND IT STALLED OUT ON ME FOUR MORE TIMES BEFORE MAKING IT 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD MY 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME AND THEY GOT PRETTY SHAKEN UP AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471420
55,000 miles · Aug 16, 2012
Power Train
2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS WITH 5.3L LS4 ENGINE AND 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE AT 55K MILES REQUIRING FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT SAME TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER BEHAVIOR AGAIN AND WARRANTY WILL BE EXPIRING SOON. 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION ONLY RATED FOR 280 …
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2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS WITH 5.3L LS4 ENGINE AND 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE AT 55K MILES REQUIRING FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT SAME TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER BEHAVIOR AGAIN AND WARRANTY WILL BE EXPIRING SOON. 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION ONLY RATED FOR 280 FT-LBS TORQUE, LS4 V8 PRODUCES 323 FT-LBS. THIS IS CLEARLY NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF GENERAL MOTORS AND A SOLUTION MUST BE REACHED FOR OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471167
68,282 miles · Aug 3, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE GEAR SHIFT SEIZED AND THE GEARS COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE GEAR SHIFT SEIZED AND THE GEARS COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE COVER ON THE GEAR SHIFTER BOX AND NOTICED THERE WAS A BROKEN WIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS HAD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,282.
NHTSA ODI #10469123
61,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering
MY CAR SHUT OFF WITH A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465780
91,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
REDUCE POWER LIGHT COMES ON. CARS SPEED DRASTICALLY REDUCES. IF YOU PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND RESTART THE CAR,IT RESETS ITSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463246
Official recalls
2Jun 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.
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.
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