NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
810 reportsMileage unknown · May 30, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHERE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST, AROUND 730 PM. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MILES PER HOUR, SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 48 WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE …
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THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WHERE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST, AROUND 730 PM. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MILES PER HOUR, SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 48 WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE MESSAGING SYSTEM INDICATED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE SLOWS RATHER RAPIDLY, AND THEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR OR SO. DUE TO THE RAPID DECLINE IN SPEED AND THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATELY ACTED UPON PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO GET IT LOOKED AT BY ONE OF THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS, AND PAY FOR THAT DIAGNOSTIC. IN MY ONLINE RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY, PROBABLY IN THE HUNDREDS, WHO'VE EXPERIENCED THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE. SOME OF WHICH HAVE TAKE THEIR CAR TO GM WHO HAS CONCLUDED ACCORDING TO POST OF EXPERIENCES ON EDMUNDS THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM OR REPAIR IT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW DIFFERENTLY THIS COULD HAVE GONE SHOULD MY WIFE HAVE BEEN GOING 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 80. WE LIVE ALONG I-80 AND TRAVEL IT FREQUENTLY. HOWEVER AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM WE ARE ESSENTIALLY UNABLE TO TRUST OUR VEHICLE BEYOND ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595194
60,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PAID HALF THE COST. UPDATED 8/21/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10594481
69,500 miles · May 26, 2014
Power Train
DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEAR FROM PARK WITH VEHICLE STARTED OR OFF WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE. SHIFT LEVER WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ON 3/16/2014 IT COMPLETELY LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. I CALLED ROAD SERVICE AND THEY REMOVED PART OF CONSOLE COVER AND FOUND WIRE HAD BROKEN IN WIRE HARNESS (BLACK) WHICH CONTROLS RELEASE OF GEAR S…
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DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEAR FROM PARK WITH VEHICLE STARTED OR OFF WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE. SHIFT LEVER WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ON 3/16/2014 IT COMPLETELY LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. I CALLED ROAD SERVICE AND THEY REMOVED PART OF CONSOLE COVER AND FOUND WIRE HAD BROKEN IN WIRE HARNESS (BLACK) WHICH CONTROLS RELEASE OF GEAR SHIFT WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. THEY SHOWED ME HOW TO DEPRESS RELEASE BUTTON FOR PARKING GEAR. I HAD TO DO THIS FOR 3 DAYS MANUALLY TILL I COULD GET A ELECTRICAL SHOP REPAIR THE BROKEN WIRE SUBSEQUENT WIRE HARNESS AS THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT FEASIBLE TO REPLACE JUST THE BLACK WIRE TO THE PARK GEAR RELEASE. IT COST ME $465.00 FOR REPAIRS. I CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A QUITE A PROBLEM WITH 2008 CHEVY IMPALA'S AND IS HAPPENED QUITE FREQUENTLY. MY QUESTION IS WHY GM HAS NOT ISSUED A BULLETIN DUE TO THIS PROBLEM TO CORRECT IT. TO BE STRANDED AND IN THE DARK IS QUITE A FRIGHTENING SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594132
85,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Steering
IT WAS RAINING AND LOST POWER STEERING AT SPEED. THIS HAS CONTINUED EACH TIME IT HAS RAINED OR GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT TURN. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 50 TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP ONLY LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I CALLED. IS CHEVY WAITING TILL MY FAMILY IS KILLED BEFORE NOTICIN…
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IT WAS RAINING AND LOST POWER STEERING AT SPEED. THIS HAS CONTINUED EACH TIME IT HAS RAINED OR GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT TURN. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 50 TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP ONLY LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I CALLED. IS CHEVY WAITING TILL MY FAMILY IS KILLED BEFORE NOTICING THIS ISSUE LIKE WITH THE OTHER RECENT RECALLS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593864
52,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Power TrainSuspension
I HAD TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL,AND TRANS. SHIFT LINKAGE I CALL TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL GM SAID ONLY ON POLICE MODELS ANOTHER TIME I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANS. LINKAGE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593065
121,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Steering
WHENEVER IT IS RAINING OR I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE GROUND, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER. FOR THIS REASON I DREAD DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT RAINS. IS THIS BEING RECALLED???? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588599
150,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE SENSOR ILLUMINATED FOR REDUCED POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION PEDAL HAD TO BE ENGAGED AS THE SPEED REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODE AND THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE SENSOR ILLUMINATED FOR REDUCED POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION PEDAL HAD TO BE ENGAGED AS THE SPEED REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10588304
155,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlInjury
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH ST. LOUIS AROUND MIDNIGHT ON I-270 ON MAY 3, THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWED DRAMATICALLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. QUITE SCARY INDEED, NOT TO MENTION THE LURCHING. AFTER BEING NEARLY RUN OVER ON BOTH SIDES, I PULLED OFF IN A VERY DARK PART OF TOWN AND THE P…
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WHEN DRIVING THROUGH ST. LOUIS AROUND MIDNIGHT ON I-270 ON MAY 3, THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWED DRAMATICALLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. QUITE SCARY INDEED, NOT TO MENTION THE LURCHING. AFTER BEING NEARLY RUN OVER ON BOTH SIDES, I PULLED OFF IN A VERY DARK PART OF TOWN AND THE POLICE CAME BY TO CHECK ON ME. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULDN'T START WITH THE MESSAGE, "STARTING IS DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE." AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, THE THING ALLOWED ME TO START IT, BUT STILL WITH THE "POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE. I ACTUALLY DROVE THAT THING HOME (OVER 90 MILES) WITH SEMIS BEARING DOWN ON ME, ALTERNATING FLASHERS AND WATCHING OVER MY SHOULDER. ANYWAY, THE NEXT DAY, IT STILL WOULDN'T RUN NORMALLY, BUT I LIMPED OVER TO AN AUTOZONE AND I REPLACED THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AND THE THROTTLE BODY (THE ENGINE CODE SAID P0651, BUT THAT WAS A WASTE OF $300). NO HELP, SAME MESSAGE. I LET THE CAR SIT. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED UP, STILL HAD THE MESSAGE. BUT ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY!!! THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW, BUT THOSE CODES HAVEN'T BEEN ACCURATE SO FAR. WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY, I WENT OUT AND JIGGLED ALL THE WIRING BOTH UNDER THE DASH AND ABOVE THE THROTTLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND A LOOSE WIRE OR GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE. I ALSO TAPPED ON AND JIGGLED THE AIR BOX (BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT'S WHERE THE ECM IS LOCATED). STILL COULDN'T GET IT TO GO BAD. CAME BACK OUT THE NEXT TIME AND THE CAR HAD THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE AND RUNNING HORRIBLY. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO BE KILLED, THESE CARS ARE MOVING CHICANES. I AM TOTALLY AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON. GM SERVICE REPS SAY "GO TO THE DEALER" BUT ONLINE SHOWS THIS ONLY RESULTS IN A BUNCH OF EXPENSIVE REPLACED PARTS THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I ONLY SUFFERED A BACKACHE BUT THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587949
61,390 miles · May 12, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA WHICH HAS BEEN HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS FOR 1 YR NOW. IT READS OUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR WONT GO FASTER THAN 40 MPH. IVE HAD IT FIXED BUT THEN COMES RIGHT BACK UP, ONE MECHANIC SAYS TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE AND ANOTHER SAYS ITS SENSORS. THIS IS BECOMING QUITE A PROBLEM AND NOBODY CAN FIX IT PERM…
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I OWN A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA WHICH HAS BEEN HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS FOR 1 YR NOW. IT READS OUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR WONT GO FASTER THAN 40 MPH. IVE HAD IT FIXED BUT THEN COMES RIGHT BACK UP, ONE MECHANIC SAYS TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE AND ANOTHER SAYS ITS SENSORS. THIS IS BECOMING QUITE A PROBLEM AND NOBODY CAN FIX IT PERMANENTLY. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AROUND AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER OUT OF NOWHERE,THEN JUST SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I CANT KEEP PAYING ALL THIS MONEY FOR IT TO JUST HAPPEN OVER AND OVER WITH NO RESULTS. WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST? I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT THERE ARE ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME? I CANT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR THIS WHEN ITS NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN FIXED. I HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED BUT I DO WHEN I HAVE TO PAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND ITS STILL NOT FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587765
60,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" APPEARED ON MY DASH. SOON AFTER MY SPEED AND POWER WAS CUT FROM 70 MPH TO UNDER 40. I GOT ANOTHER MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE THROTTLE DISABLED" AND MY CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND STEER. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND WAITED UNTIL IT STARTED UP AGAIN. …
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DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" APPEARED ON MY DASH. SOON AFTER MY SPEED AND POWER WAS CUT FROM 70 MPH TO UNDER 40. I GOT ANOTHER MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE THROTTLE DISABLED" AND MY CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND STEER. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND WAITED UNTIL IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW THAT IS HAPPENING TO MANY GM OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587458
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 ↗