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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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70,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL, EMISSIONS AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL, EMISSIONS AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10597886

97,800 miles · Jun 10, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE LEFT INTO A HIGHWAY. WEATHER WAS DRY AND HOT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH ENGINE LIGHT CAR SHOWS MESSAGE: "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". CAR TAKES LONGER TO ACCELERATE. AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DISAPPEARED. ENGINE LIGHT R…

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I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE LEFT INTO A HIGHWAY. WEATHER WAS DRY AND HOT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH ENGINE LIGHT CAR SHOWS MESSAGE: "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". CAR TAKES LONGER TO ACCELERATE. AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DISAPPEARED. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597455

96,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ACCELERATING AND TURNING LEFT AT THE SAME TIME AFTER A STOP SIGN INTO A 40 MPH ROAD. WEATHER WAS HOT AND DRY. TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. CAR SHOWS MESSAGE: SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597451

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WILL COME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, AND THEY FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK, THE LOCKS TO RELOCK, MY FUEL GAUGE TO GO OUT OF PLACE, AND SOMETIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO TURN OFF. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO AN ACTUAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WR…

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WHILE DRIVING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WILL COME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, AND THEY FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK, THE LOCKS TO RELOCK, MY FUEL GAUGE TO GO OUT OF PLACE, AND SOMETIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO TURN OFF. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO AN ACTUAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THEY TRIED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED WHEN THEY USED THE SCAN TOOL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY TRANSMISSION; OTHERS SAY THAT IT IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL; WHILE OTHERS SAY THAT A WIRE IS NOT CONNECTING OR IS TOUCHING SOMETHING. ONE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS HAPPEN IN ALL 2007-2012 IMPALA ONCE THEY HIT A CERTAIN MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597280

73,090 miles · May 30, 2014
Engine

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE SPEED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOSS OF VEHICLE FORWARD MOTION, DROPPING TO APPROX 25 MPH. "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC DANGER PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER A NUMBER OF TMES. PROBLEM CONTINUES, SUDDENLY…

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DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE SPEED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOSS OF VEHICLE FORWARD MOTION, DROPPING TO APPROX 25 MPH. "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC DANGER PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER A NUMBER OF TMES. PROBLEM CONTINUES, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOSS OF POWER ON ROADWAY. EXTRAEMLY DANGEROUS IN THE HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF SUDDEN INEXPLICABLE LOSS OF VEHICLE FORWARD MOTION. HAVE TO PUT ON SAFETY FLASHERSAND MOVE TO FAR RIGHT OF ROADWAY AREA. .*TR

NHTSA ODI #10595038

144,171 miles · May 28, 2014
Air BagsEnginePower Train

WE OWN THE CAR LISTED ABOVE AND HAVE FOR OVER TWO YEARS. WE BOUGHT IT AT A DEALERSHIP IN EAST TENNESSEE. THE CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A RENT A CAR FOR ENTERPRISE. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE FACT I HAVE DROVE THIS CAR AND ALL ISSUES STATED FOR A REC…

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WE OWN THE CAR LISTED ABOVE AND HAVE FOR OVER TWO YEARS. WE BOUGHT IT AT A DEALERSHIP IN EAST TENNESSEE. THE CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A RENT A CAR FOR ENTERPRISE. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE FACT I HAVE DROVE THIS CAR AND ALL ISSUES STATED FOR A RECALL WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THE MOST RECENT IS THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ON HIGHWAYS. IT'S IS SAYING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT MAD THAN WILL SAY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,THAN IT WILL SHUTOFF I BEEN GOING 70 DOWN AN INTERSTATE AND IT SHUTOFF MAD ABOUT KILL US. WE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS THE PROBLEM BY WHAT TECHNICIAN SAY. I AM JUST NOW STARTING TO RESEARCH THE ISSUES WE HAVE AND FOUND NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH WE HAVE THE PROBLEMS LISTED ABOVE AND MORE. MAINLY THE AIRBAG STEERING CONTROL ARM AND VEHICLE JUST SHUTTING OFF. I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO SUM IT UP IS THEY SOLD US A LEMON PERHAPS BUT AFTER LOOKING AT THE RECALL LIST OUR VEHICLE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURE. TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A NEW VEHICLE. JUST LOOKING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR INJURES US OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE HIGHWAYS. HOPE THIS DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO GET RESOLVED BECAUSE DEATHS COULD OCCUR. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME HOPE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE SOON BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. I MEAN I THOUGHT SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG BUT THE AUTOMD WEBSITE REALLY ASSURED WHAT WE BEEN THINKING. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594693

36,082 miles · May 28, 2014
Engine

AFTER PURCHASING THIS "ONE OWNER DRIVEN BY [XXX] CAR ON MARCH 27, 2014 WE HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE CAR .SUPPOSEDLY PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNER TRADED IT IN.WITH ONLY APPROX. 34,800 MILES....SO MUCH SO WE PURCHASED ANOTHER ONE...A 2014 (NOT NEW BODY STYLE). I'M DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 6:45AM ON …

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AFTER PURCHASING THIS "ONE OWNER DRIVEN BY [XXX] CAR ON MARCH 27, 2014 WE HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE CAR .SUPPOSEDLY PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNER TRADED IT IN.WITH ONLY APPROX. 34,800 MILES....SO MUCH SO WE PURCHASED ANOTHER ONE...A 2014 (NOT NEW BODY STYLE). I'M DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 6:45AM ON A NORMAL SUNNY MORNING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GET AN ALERT STATING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ALERT...THE CALL LOST MOST POWER AND WAS SHIFTING STRANGELY...I HAVE DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS BETWEEN 2008- AND 2011...WE HAVE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE AND ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND WAITING ON A RETURN CALL.......THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN LAST NIGHT AND HE BARELY MADE IT TO WORK....SOMETIMES WHEN THIS ALERT IS NOT ON THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON...SOMETIMES NO LIGHTS AT ALL...BUT THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON EXPRESSWAY OR SOMETHING...IF GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM...WHICH THEY APPEAR TO BE BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THERE SHOULD BE A BULLETIN OR A RECALL AVAILABLE TO FIX SAID PROBLEM....I HOPE WE DO NOT HAVE TO PURSUE ANY FURTHER ACTION AGAINST GM AND THAT THE DEALER WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT...THIS CAR IS LIKE BRAND NEW!! *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10594477

150,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,220. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10588071

92,929 miles · May 8, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteeringInjury

IT'S APPARENTLY THE STANDARD IMPALA ISSUE OF THE CAR'S DASH READING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND MY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOUR WHEN THE DASH READ ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I IMMEDIATELY PHONED MY HUSBAND. HE INSISTED THAT I GET IN THE RIGHT LANE AND BE PREPARED FOR THE CAR TO DIE. MY H…

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IT'S APPARENTLY THE STANDARD IMPALA ISSUE OF THE CAR'S DASH READING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND MY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOUR WHEN THE DASH READ ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I IMMEDIATELY PHONED MY HUSBAND. HE INSISTED THAT I GET IN THE RIGHT LANE AND BE PREPARED FOR THE CAR TO DIE. MY HUSBAND THEN MISTAKENLY TOLD ME TO DRIVE TO A SPECIFIC EXIT OUT OF THE INNER CITY BEFORE EXITING THE HIGHWAY. NEXT THE CHECK STABILITY MESSAGE CAME ON. HE WAS LIKE OK THAT'S WEIRD BUT LETS GET YOU HOME. THEN THE CAR DECIDED TO LOSE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. MY HANDS ARE LITERALLY BLISTERED GETTING IT OFF THE ROAD. I GUIDED IT OF THE HIGHWAY AS HE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE. FINDING HUNDREDS OF THESE SAME ACCOUNTS HE TOLD ME TO HOLD ON A BIT AND RESTART THE CAR. IT WORKED AND I DROVE IT HOME. HAD MY HUSBAND NOT INSISTED I MOVE OVER AND BE PREPARED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587319

8,337 miles · May 6, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE REDUCED ENGINE AND THE SERVICE TRACTION STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE REDUCED ENGINE AND THE SERVICE TRACTION STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,337.

NHTSA ODI #10586777

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.