IllustrationI HAVE REPLACED BUSHINGS 3 TIMES, STRUTS FRONT AND BACK, SHOCKS AND SWAY BAR PINS 2 TIMES. I DRIVE CITY ROADS TO WORK ONLY 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. I ONLY HAVE 77,586 MILES ON MY CAR AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR THAT TYPE OF USE. WE HAVE A 1998 CHEVY TAHOE THAT WE LOVE. YOU SHOULD STAND BEHIND YOUR BAD PRODUCTS THAT YOU PUT OUT.
2008 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
11125–50K
14950–75K
11675–100K
141100–150K
59150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,867.
REAR DOOR LOCKS, DEFROST, TRUNK LID STOPPED WORKING. NOTICED SMOKE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS SHOWN THAT IT MELTED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND MELTED THE REAR BODY HARNESS CONNECTOR. ( I KEPT THE PART IF NEEDED) THIS IS A DANGER TO DRIVERS. THE FIRE CAN START AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING! I BELIEVE…
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REAR DOOR LOCKS, DEFROST, TRUNK LID STOPPED WORKING. NOTICED SMOKE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS SHOWN THAT IT MELTED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND MELTED THE REAR BODY HARNESS CONNECTOR. ( I KEPT THE PART IF NEEDED) THIS IS A DANGER TO DRIVERS. THE FIRE CAN START AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING! I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. AFTER RESEARCHING I SEE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OF THESE CARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS OR REPLACE THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO CHECK IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THE SEAT BELTS BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON INTERMINTENTLY WHILE DRIVING HAD THE THROTTLE BODY AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPLCAED TWICE AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 75000 MILES ON IT. STILL THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON. JUST YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. THROTTLE PROBLEMS LIGHT CAME ON IN WINDOW
AS I WAS DRIVING, AROUND 30 MPH, THE WARNING DISPLAYS "REDUCED ENGINE SPEED" AND THE CAR WILL BARELY REACH 45 MPH. TWICE IN 5 YEARS, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR.
MY CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OF 45 MPH. WEATHER WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES F.. MESSAGE ON DASH WAS "STARTING DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE." I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. AFTER PUSHING IT TO A SIDE STREET, IT STARTED AGAIN AND SHOWED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND WENT ABOUT 20 MPH. I …
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MY CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OF 45 MPH. WEATHER WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES F.. MESSAGE ON DASH WAS "STARTING DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE." I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. AFTER PUSHING IT TO A SIDE STREET, IT STARTED AGAIN AND SHOWED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND WENT ABOUT 20 MPH. I SAW ONLINE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY CHEVROLETS. WHY NO RECALL? SO DANGEROUS. REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT $750.
TAKATA RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED A LOUD SCREECH HAPPEN EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED, ONCE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, STREET, CITY.AND IN MOTION THE VEHICLE STARTS ALARMING AND LETTIMG ME KNOW IN THE INFORMATION WIDOW CHECK TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM WITH TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ON THEN VEHICLE ALARMING SOUNDS A…
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TAKATA RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED A LOUD SCREECH HAPPEN EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED, ONCE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, STREET, CITY.AND IN MOTION THE VEHICLE STARTS ALARMING AND LETTIMG ME KNOW IN THE INFORMATION WIDOW CHECK TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM WITH TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ON THEN VEHICLE ALARMING SOUNDS AGAIN TO CHECK STABILITY TRAK AND THEN IT ALARM S AGAIN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT THE VEHICLES ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED AND VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PICK UP SPEED RIGHT AWAY THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SENSE I PURCHASED IT. ALSO WHEN IM MAKING TURNS THE VEHICLE WILL ALARM ABOUT HAVING STABILITY TRAK SERVICED
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HIGH MY BACKDOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE INSIDE LEVERS THAT PULL UP TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE ARE LOCATED AT THE FARTHEST PLACE AWAY SO I CAN'T REACH THEM FROM THE FRONT DOORS TO UNLOCK THEM THAT WAY. A SMALL CHILD IN A CAR SEAT, SOMEONE UNCONSCIOUS OR A PET COULD EASILY …
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DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HIGH MY BACKDOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE INSIDE LEVERS THAT PULL UP TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE ARE LOCATED AT THE FARTHEST PLACE AWAY SO I CAN'T REACH THEM FROM THE FRONT DOORS TO UNLOCK THEM THAT WAY. A SMALL CHILD IN A CAR SEAT, SOMEONE UNCONSCIOUS OR A PET COULD EASILY BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT.
Official recalls
214V355000 · 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
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.