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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
35,313 miles · Aug 26, 2011
Suspension

MY 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA REQUIRED ALIGNMENT OF ALL 4 WHEELS AFTER 35000 MILES OF USE WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL. HOWEVER, THE REAR WHEELS REQUIRED A SPECIAL PROCESS WHEREIN BOLTS HAD TO BE PUNCHED OUT AND SHIMMING WAS REQUIRED TO ALLOW PROPER ALIGNMENT. THIS EFFORT DOUBLED MY COST FROM $89.00 TO $178.00. THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY A …

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MY 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA REQUIRED ALIGNMENT OF ALL 4 WHEELS AFTER 35000 MILES OF USE WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL. HOWEVER, THE REAR WHEELS REQUIRED A SPECIAL PROCESS WHEREIN BOLTS HAD TO BE PUNCHED OUT AND SHIMMING WAS REQUIRED TO ALLOW PROPER ALIGNMENT. THIS EFFORT DOUBLED MY COST FROM $89.00 TO $178.00. THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE GENERAL MOTORS PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT WHICH WAS SUBMITTED JULY 11TH, 2011. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10421652

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2011
Suspension

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRE WEAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO A MANUFACTURES DEFECT CAUSING TIRE WEAR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION FOR THREE SETS OF TIRES THAT HAD TO BE PUT ON THE VEHICLE BY JANUARY 2010. THE SERVIC…

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2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRE WEAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO A MANUFACTURES DEFECT CAUSING TIRE WEAR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION FOR THREE SETS OF TIRES THAT HAD TO BE PUT ON THE VEHICLE BY JANUARY 2010. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER STATED GM WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10420491

15,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Suspension

PURCHASED 2008 IMPALA SS FACTORY DEMO CAR WITH 3000 MILES AND AT 15000 MILES A REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND ALMOST WRECKED US. REAR TIRES WERE WORE OUT ON INSIDE. DOWN TO THE CORD WHICH AT 15000 MILES SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. REPLACED TIRES AND DEALER SAID ALIGNMENT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT WAS NORMAL FOR THE MODEL CAR AN…

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PURCHASED 2008 IMPALA SS FACTORY DEMO CAR WITH 3000 MILES AND AT 15000 MILES A REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND ALMOST WRECKED US. REAR TIRES WERE WORE OUT ON INSIDE. DOWN TO THE CORD WHICH AT 15000 MILES SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. REPLACED TIRES AND DEALER SAID ALIGNMENT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT WAS NORMAL FOR THE MODEL CAR AND NOW AT 23000 MILES REAR TIRES ARE WORE OUT AGAIN ON INSIDE AND FRONT TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL AND STILL LOOK NEW. WHY CAN'T THE DEALER REPAIR THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF SELLING TIRES EVERY 10000 MILES? I THINK THEY JUST WANT THE EXTRA CASH FLOW DURING THIS TIME THE ECONOMY IS SLOW . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420095

60,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Unknown Or Other

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AFTER DRIVING IT OVER 140 MILES. AFTER LICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD JERK…

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AFTER DRIVING IT OVER 140 MILES. AFTER LICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD JERK IN VARIOUS GEARS. THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 60000 AND THE CURRURT MILEAGE IS 88000. ALSO SOMETIMES WOULD JERK FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO AGAIN CHECK OUT MY PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE POSTED, IT ALL SEEMS TO POINT TO A PRESSURE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10420409

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2011
Suspension

I OWN A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA AND HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE WORK DONE ON THE CAR TO REPAIR THE ALIGNMENT OF MY REAR TIRES. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN AFTER ROUGHLY 7000 MILES I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR TIRES HAD THE STEEL BELTS SHOWING. THIS WAS A SHOCK BECAUSE I HAD PURCHASED 80000 MIL…

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I OWN A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA AND HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE WORK DONE ON THE CAR TO REPAIR THE ALIGNMENT OF MY REAR TIRES. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN AFTER ROUGHLY 7000 MILES I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR TIRES HAD THE STEEL BELTS SHOWING. THIS WAS A SHOCK BECAUSE I HAD PURCHASED 80000 MILE TIRES. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE PROBLEM TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY AND THIS PLUS THE COST OF THE TIRE RAN ME ROUGHLY 1000 DOLLARS. PRIOR TO ME GETTING THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP I HAD NOTICED EXTREMELY POOR HANDLING IN THE SNOW, BASICALLY IT FELT AS IF THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS CONSTANTLY SLIDING OUT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419693

49,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
VisibilityInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT CLOSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND DID NOT NOTICE THE PASSENGERS FINGER WAS IN THE WINDOW WHILE IT CLOSED. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND LOST THE PINKY FINGER ON THE RIGHT HAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT CLOSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND DID NOT NOTICE THE PASSENGERS FINGER WAS IN THE WINDOW WHILE IT CLOSED. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND LOST THE PINKY FINGER ON THE RIGHT HAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY WOULD RETURN THE CONTACTS CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10419539

16,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SPINDLE RODS WERE FAULTY AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR. THE FAULTY REAR SPINDLE RO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SPINDLE RODS WERE FAULTY AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR. THE FAULTY REAR SPINDLE RODS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE. A SET OF FOUR TIRES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10418337

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2011
Suspension

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES REAR TIRE SPINDLE ROD PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS WORN OUT SEVERAL REAR TIRES DUE TO THE REAR SPINDLE ROD PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10417531

68,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH REAR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN PI-0011A; NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10038344, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH. TO REPLACE THE LOCKS THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH REAR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN PI-0011A; NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10038344, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH. TO REPLACE THE LOCKS THE CONTACT WOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING PER DOOR $400 EACH WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416854

21,381 miles · Aug 2, 2011
SuspensionTires

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH UNUSUAL WEAR AND/OR BLOWOUTS ON THE TIRES OF MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. I FIRST STARTED HAVING ISSUE WITH TIRES IN DEC 2008 AND STILL CONTINUE TIL THIS DAY. WHEN I QUESTIONED IF THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY IT WAS THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IN 2010, IT WAS FAULTY 'FACTORY…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH UNUSUAL WEAR AND/OR BLOWOUTS ON THE TIRES OF MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. I FIRST STARTED HAVING ISSUE WITH TIRES IN DEC 2008 AND STILL CONTINUE TIL THIS DAY. WHEN I QUESTIONED IF THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY IT WAS THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IN 2010, IT WAS FAULTY 'FACTORY INSTALLED' TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE ALL THE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT GM HAS RECALLED POLICE ISSUE 2008 IMPALAS BUT NOT THOSE FOR THE EVERYDAY CONSUMER. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416803

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.