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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

Service Brakes complaints

17 reports
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123,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #11306762

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2018
Service Brakes

MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL IVE REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS TWICE AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND THEN IT RETURNS. IM TIRED OF IT BECAUSE ITS COSTLY AND I DO NOT HAVE MONEY I WORK A PART TIME JOB. ALSO THE CAR LOSES POWER IT STARTS STATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON MY DASH ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE ITS DONE THIS TO ME…

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MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL IVE REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS TWICE AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND THEN IT RETURNS. IM TIRED OF IT BECAUSE ITS COSTLY AND I DO NOT HAVE MONEY I WORK A PART TIME JOB. ALSO THE CAR LOSES POWER IT STARTS STATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON MY DASH ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE ITS DONE THIS TO ME A FEW TIMES ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11163471

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

IGNITION IS MESSING UP AND THE POWER WILL GO DOWN

NHTSA ODI #11113987

137,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Service Brakes

ABS ABD TC WARNING LIGHT LIT WITH "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" MESSAGE. INITIATED AT TURNING EVENTS,

NHTSA ODI #10933732

81,000 miles · Dec 31, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED SEVERELY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECONNECTING A VACUUM HOSE AFTER OBSERVING THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED SEVERELY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECONNECTING A VACUUM HOSE AFTER OBSERVING THAT IT WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE POWER BOOSTER. AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES BECAME RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ONCE MORE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 03/04/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10817206

55,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10759461

96,187 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash

I WAS EXCITING AN OFF RAMP WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHED HAD NO BRAKES AND KEYS WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. MY VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684217

1,070,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

MY IMPALA WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND LOCK UP EVERYTIME IT RAINS. I CAN BE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND WATER FILM ON THE PAVEMENT AND MY IMPALA WILL SHAKE, LOCK UP AND SHUT DOWN. I WAS LEAVING MY CHURCH PARKING LOT TO TURN RIGHT ONTO ROAD, MY IMPALA SHUT DOWN AND DRIFTED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE STREET ALMOST LANDING IN…

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MY IMPALA WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND LOCK UP EVERYTIME IT RAINS. I CAN BE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND WATER FILM ON THE PAVEMENT AND MY IMPALA WILL SHAKE, LOCK UP AND SHUT DOWN. I WAS LEAVING MY CHURCH PARKING LOT TO TURN RIGHT ONTO ROAD, MY IMPALA SHUT DOWN AND DRIFTED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE STREET ALMOST LANDING IN THE DITCH. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT HAS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING 35 AND CAR SHUT DOWN. IT IS VERY TERRIFYING TO DRIVE A CAR THAT SHUTS DOWN AND HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND AM FEARFUL MY AND THEIR SAFETY. *TR UPDATED 2/16/16 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10668944

100,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664018

74,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH AND STRUCK A MASSIVE ROCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH AND STRUCK A MASSIVE ROCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643354

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.