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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

Structure complaints

31 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2022
Structure

The back driver’s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I’ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit throug…

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The back driver’s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I’ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit through all doors of a vehicle, especially during an emergency. Because of this defect, Impalas should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owner.

NHTSA ODI #11469944

75,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
StructureSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury

WHILE IN MOTION, CAR WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH, HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND A FENCE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT

NHTSA ODI #11039657

30,000 miles · Jan 24, 2017
Structure

REAR DOOR LOCKS DONT WORK WHEN TRYING TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF CAR. DOORS DON'T UNLOCK. REAR DOORS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI #10947394

54,000 miles · May 24, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM. AUTOMATIC LOCK FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'DRIVE' DOES NOT FUNCTION UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE MANUAL LOCK RELEASES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS MANUALLY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION…

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REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM. AUTOMATIC LOCK FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'DRIVE' DOES NOT FUNCTION UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE MANUAL LOCK RELEASES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS MANUALLY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IF THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION, IT CAN DELAY ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10870601

46,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10818976

136,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE KEY USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OR TWO REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TWO REAR WINDOWS DOWN TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE KEY USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OR TWO REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TWO REAR WINDOWS DOWN TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810518

100,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790116

110,115 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,115.

NHTSA ODI #10786322

70,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
StructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

FOWLER CHEVROLET, PART OF HTTP://WWW.FOWLERAUTO.COM/ WITH FOWLER TOYOTA, REPAIRED OUR 2008 IMPALA AFTER AN ACCIDENT. FIRST ROUND REPAIRS WERE $9,800 ON A $12,000 VEHICLE AND THEN CARFAX SHOWED FRAME DAMAGE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACCIDENT NOTATION AFTER THE REPAIRS! ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, I EMAILED THE BODY SHOP "PLEA…

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FOWLER CHEVROLET, PART OF HTTP://WWW.FOWLERAUTO.COM/ WITH FOWLER TOYOTA, REPAIRED OUR 2008 IMPALA AFTER AN ACCIDENT. FIRST ROUND REPAIRS WERE $9,800 ON A $12,000 VEHICLE AND THEN CARFAX SHOWED FRAME DAMAGE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACCIDENT NOTATION AFTER THE REPAIRS! ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, I EMAILED THE BODY SHOP "PLEASE DON'T PROCEED WITH SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS UNTIL THE FRAME STRUCTURE IS DETERMINED TO BE FINE ", BUT THEY STARTED WITHOUT CONTACTING ME. OUR INSURANCE COVERED LIKE TIRES AND THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WANTED ME TO GO GET THE REPLACEMENT GOODYEAR TIRE AND BRING TO THE DEALERSHIP! IT WAS IN THE SHOP OVER 7 WEEKS AND INSURANCE ONLY COVERED FOR 30 DAYS OF A RENTAL VEHICLE, BUT SINCE WE WERE RENTING FROM THEIR FLEET, THEY HAD NO INCENTIVE TO GET IT DONE. WE ENDED UP TAKING IT TO SOUTHPOINTE CHEVROLET TO MINIMIZE THE NOISES COMING OUT OF THE REPAIR AREA AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REIMBURSED. I REQUESTED QUALITY ASSURANCE IN WRITING REGARDING THE REPAIR AREA AFTER THE CARFAX CONCERNS. I ALSO REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION REGARDING IF THE WELDER WAS CERTIFIED ETC..., BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL IN WRITING. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER, CHRIS HELM, WAS TERMINATED SOON AFTER OUR REPAIRS. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER STATED THAT GENERAL MOTORS/CHEVROLET SENT IN A REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW THE REPAIRS AND BACKED THE DEALERSHIP 100%. I REQUESTED SOMETHING IN WRITING FROM GENERAL MOTORS/CHEVROLET AFTER SENDING THE PICTURE OF THE REPAIRS AND THEY WON'T PUT ANYTHING IN WRITING. FOWLER CHEVROLET AND FOWLER AUTO GROUP REFUSE TO RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES. I WILL NEVER USE THEM AGAIN. CAN YOU HELP PREVENT OTHER UNSAFE REPAIRS LIKE IN THE PICTURE?

NHTSA ODI #10781856

85,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALL FOUR LOCKS AND THE TPMS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TPSM WAS REPLACED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LOCKS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762245

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.