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2009 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

663 reports with mileage · 161 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 232 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports9 fire reports34 injury reports

Engine complaints

179 reports
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40,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REDUCED IN SPEED TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REDUCED IN SPEED TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664853

71,407 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT, JARRING COLLISION ON JUNE 26, 2014 WITH AN SUV IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A TOYOTA RAV 4. I SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, & MY CAR SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF & THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY B…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT, JARRING COLLISION ON JUNE 26, 2014 WITH AN SUV IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A TOYOTA RAV 4. I SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, & MY CAR SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF & THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVED OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE GM PROVIDED REMEDY WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664474

50,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659206

115,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

AT 55 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE STATING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-ENGINE POWER REDUCED APPEARED. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL OR ON LEVEL GROUND, I HAD SUFFICIENT POWER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. WHEN HEADED UPHILL IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR. WHEN IT FINALLY DID SHIFT, IT SHIFTED HARD AND REALLY JERKED…

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AT 55 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE STATING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-ENGINE POWER REDUCED APPEARED. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL OR ON LEVEL GROUND, I HAD SUFFICIENT POWER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. WHEN HEADED UPHILL IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR. WHEN IT FINALLY DID SHIFT, IT SHIFTED HARD AND REALLY JERKED THE CAR. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I ROUNDED A CORNER AND BEGAN TO PICK UP SOME MOMENTUM. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT STATING STARTING DISABLED-SERVICE THROTTLE APPEARED. I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. THE ENGINE DID NOT CRANK AND THE MESSAGE CONTINUED TO FLASH. I COMPLETELY TURNED THE KEY OFF AND SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES. I WAS ABOUT TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK WHEN I TRIED AGAIN. THE ENGINE STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE HOME WITH NO ISSUES. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE FIRST MESSAGE I MENTIONED APPEARED (SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-ENGINE POWER REDUCED). I WAS STILL AT WORK, SO I FOUND A PARKING SPACE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE AWAY. I GUESS I'M JUST LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE TURNPIKE OR INTERSTATE. GM HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. I GUESS THEY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO NEAR-MISSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654106

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2014
Air BagsEngineSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND BELIEVED THAT IT'S DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10652704

90,680 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR STATES REDUCED ENGINE POWER STALLING TO ABOUT 10MPH VERY DANGEROUS. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651687

68,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE SHUT OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND WAS THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF OIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, THE "LOW OIL PRESSURE SHUT OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND WAS THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF OIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10650449

111,005 miles · Oct 13, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT CAME ON ALONE WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644289

86,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULES IN THE COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643603

94,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
EngineSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING, BUT THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643232

Official recalls

5

16V507000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Electrical System:wiring

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

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.

10V480000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Oct 13, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V517000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 6, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.