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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

What owners actually said

810 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2015
Electrical System

NO INCIDENT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR CHEVY IGNITION SWITCHES. CHEVY'S REPAIR IS TO GIVE YOU A KEY RING THAT SEPARATES THE IGNITION KEYS FROM THE OTHER KEYS. MOST PEOPLE WON'T BOTHER AND A FRIEND DRIVING YOUR CAR ISN'T GOING TO KNOW. ALL YOU HAVE DONE IS GIVE GM'S LAWYERS A LOOPHOLE FOR LARGE LAWSUITS. THEY CAN…

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NO INCIDENT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR CHEVY IGNITION SWITCHES. CHEVY'S REPAIR IS TO GIVE YOU A KEY RING THAT SEPARATES THE IGNITION KEYS FROM THE OTHER KEYS. MOST PEOPLE WON'T BOTHER AND A FRIEND DRIVING YOUR CAR ISN'T GOING TO KNOW. ALL YOU HAVE DONE IS GIVE GM'S LAWYERS A LOOPHOLE FOR LARGE LAWSUITS. THEY CAN CLAIM THE OWNER DIDN'T SEPARATE THE KEYS. THIS IS [XXX]. THE CORRECT REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE BAD SWITCH. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED BEFORE YOU DO THE RIGHT THING INSTEAD OF LETTING GM DO THE HALF ASS THING THAT PROTECTS THEM FROM LAWSUITS. HASN'T GM BEEN BAILED OUT ENOUGH. WHY WOULD YOU PROTECT GM OVER AND ABOVE THE SAFETY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692206

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2015
Electrical System

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE IGNITION RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPOSSESSED. *TA

NHTSA ODI #10667966

69,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
EnginePower Train

I LET ME 2008 CHEVY IMPALA WARM UP AS THE WINDCHILL IS AROUND -35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I STARTED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID "REDUCING ENGINE SPEED", THEN IT SAID "SERVICE DISABLED, DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE". THEN THE VEH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A PA…

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I LET ME 2008 CHEVY IMPALA WARM UP AS THE WINDCHILL IS AROUND -35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I STARTED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID "REDUCING ENGINE SPEED", THEN IT SAID "SERVICE DISABLED, DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE". THEN THE VEH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARKING LOT! THERE ARE NO TOWERS AVAILABLE AT ALL TILL TOMORROW MORNING EITHER. TRIED JUMPING STARTING THE VEHICLE - BUT TO NO AVAIL. CALLED A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690141

172,425 miles · Feb 21, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE WAITING BEHIND A CAR AT A STOP SIGN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AT FORD F-150. THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER BEING STRUCK I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH WERE PUSHED A GREAT DISTANCE BY THE TRUCK. THE REAR OF THE CAR SUFFERED PRETTY SEVER DAMAGE A…

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WHILE WAITING BEHIND A CAR AT A STOP SIGN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AT FORD F-150. THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER BEING STRUCK I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH WERE PUSHED A GREAT DISTANCE BY THE TRUCK. THE REAR OF THE CAR SUFFERED PRETTY SEVER DAMAGE AND WAS TOTALED. THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. ITEMS SUCH AS PHONES, LAPTOPS, AND TEXT BOOKS WERE DESTROYED MAINLY FROM THE IMPACT BUT ALSO THE RAIN. THE CAR SHUT IT SELF OFF LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE, BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I DO NOT RECALL IF MY SEAT BELT HAD LOCKED UP BECAUSE I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT. ON-STAR WAS ALSO NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO INFORM THEM OF THE ACCIDENT AND CALL FOR HELP, BUT I LOST A CONNECTION AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN THE CONNECTION. I AM SUFFERING FROM HEAD, NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, AND LEG INJURIES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY DOCTOR THAT I MAY NOT RECOVER IN MY NECK AND BACK. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED BUT HONESTLY IT INACCURATELY DOCUMENTED THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689789

60,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Electrical System

I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL #14299 FROM CHEVROLET INSTRUCTING ME TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER, CAMPBELL CHEVROLET IN BOWLING GREEN, KY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED ME TO LEAVE MY NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THEY WOULD CALL WHEN …

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I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL #14299 FROM CHEVROLET INSTRUCTING ME TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER, CAMPBELL CHEVROLET IN BOWLING GREEN, KY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED ME TO LEAVE MY NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. THIS CALL TOOK PLACE ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE DEALER. I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE PARTS NEEDED AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR WITH THIS KNOWN RISK. IF THIS IS THE MANNER IN WHICH CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE ALLOWED TO STATE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF RECALLS IT IS NO WONDER MORE DEATHS ARE NOT AVOIDED. IF I ATTEMPT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE I AM SURE THIS WILL BE AN ISSUE AND MOST PROBABLY DEVALUE MY CAR. IS THERE OTHER RECOURSE A CONSUMER CAN TAKE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689421

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

85,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND STATED THAT THE LINKAGE IN THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT EJECTED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683930

60,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
SteeringSuspensionWheels

OWN SNOW THE REAR END SLIDES ALL OVER THE PLACE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL,I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES EXTRACTION TIRES ON REAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683782

147,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine

VEHICLE OUT OF THE BLUE SAYS "REDUCING ENGINE SPEED" AND THEN CAR SLOWS DOWN AND CAN NOT SPEED UP IN TRAFFIC CARS ABOUT TO RUN OVER ME WONDER WILL THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682371

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT WHO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HER 2008 IMPALA, SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS SHE BELIEVES WERE ALL PART OF A RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 1, 2014, SHE HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON …

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LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT WHO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HER 2008 IMPALA, SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS SHE BELIEVES WERE ALL PART OF A RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 1, 2014, SHE HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH THAT READ THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 19, 2014. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RE-START, ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER WAS RE-PROGRAMMED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10682289

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.