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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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90,100 miles · Oct 30, 2016
Engine

MY CAR'S ENGINE POWER WAS SEVERELY REDUCED SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 275 NORTH IN TAMPA, FL. A MESSAGE SHOWED ON THE DASH: " REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED TODAY AROUND 7 PM ON OCT 30, 2016. MY CAR IS A CHEVY IMPALA 2009. I SEARCHED ONLINE …

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MY CAR'S ENGINE POWER WAS SEVERELY REDUCED SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 275 NORTH IN TAMPA, FL. A MESSAGE SHOWED ON THE DASH: " REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED TODAY AROUND 7 PM ON OCT 30, 2016. MY CAR IS A CHEVY IMPALA 2009. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF MESSAGES ABOUT THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON MANY MODELS OF GM CARS INCLUDING IMPALA, MALIBU, TRAILBLAZER, SILVERADO. THIS WORRIES ME VERY MUCH AS SO MANY SAME ERROR MESSAGES AND ENGINE PROBLEMS HAPPENED ON SO MANY GM CARS. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM YET. SO THIS IRRESPONSIBILITY OF GM ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE PUT THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS IN DANGER. I HOPE NHTSA LOOKS INTO THIS PROBLEM AND PRESSURE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL IF POSSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10920121

112,000 miles · Oct 9, 2016
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER READS ACROSS THE SCREEN. CAR SLOWS TO 45 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNS OFF. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL ON GOING....?

NHTSA ODI #10914954

72,000 miles · Aug 14, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY A SYMBOL FOR TRACTION STABILITY CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING SAYING LOW ENGINE POWER.

NHTSA ODI #10895800

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). SHORTLY AFTER THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO PROPERLY WO…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). SHORTLY AFTER THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO PROPERLY WORK. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN TIME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION FOR THE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS, WHICH DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10894148

5,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10894103

58,000 miles · Jun 10, 2016
Engine

REDUCED ENGINE POWER APPEARED FOLLOWED BY CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. THEN SYMBOL FOR CHECK TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE COMPLETELY IN PASSING LANE ON INTERSTATE 80. CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL ALSO LIT, CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. APPROX 15 MIN LATER, IT DID START WITH CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL LIGHTED.

NHTSA ODI #10873568

134,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 134K MILES AND JUST GAVE ME A "REDUCED POWER ENGINE", "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL", AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I GOOGLED AROUND AND CAME ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY IMPALAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR (07-10) ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE "ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONER PEDAL SENSOR. ALSO READING…

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CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 134K MILES AND JUST GAVE ME A "REDUCED POWER ENGINE", "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL", AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I GOOGLED AROUND AND CAME ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY IMPALAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR (07-10) ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE "ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONER PEDAL SENSOR. ALSO READING INTO IT, IT CLAIMS THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY STOP FROM 60MPH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 20 OR ZERO. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10872557

122,800 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS THESE MESSAGES HAVE APPEARED ON MY CAR BEFORE. I TRAVELED ANOTHER 40 MILES ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY EXIT. I WAS PASSING A…

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I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS THESE MESSAGES HAVE APPEARED ON MY CAR BEFORE. I TRAVELED ANOTHER 40 MILES ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY EXIT. I WAS PASSING AN OVER-SIZED TRACTOR TRAILER GOING UP HILL WHEN THE CAR DISPLAYED STARTING DISABLED THROTTLE SERVICE AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD TO INITIATE MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND WAIT FOR THE TRACTOR TRAILER TO PASS ME SO I COULD MOVE THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUTOFF AND WAS JUST COASTING, I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL THE CAR. I FEEL LIKE HAD MY SITUATION WAS JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THE CAR COULD HAVE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH CARS TRAVELING 70+ MPH AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A CRASH. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THAT REMEDIED THE SITUATION FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THIS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE THAT I KNOW IS COMMON WITH THE IMPALA'S AS I'VE HEARD IT HAPPENING TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE OWNING IMPALA'S.

NHTSA ODI #10871984

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2 YEARS AGO. MY CAR WOULD GIVE ME A WARNING "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. ENGINE POWER REDUCED." THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FIXED A SENSOR. THAT WAS AROUND A YEAR AGO. I TRAVEL A LOT FOR MY JOB AND TODAY I ARRIVED IN PORTLAND OREGON HAD PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE TO…

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THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2 YEARS AGO. MY CAR WOULD GIVE ME A WARNING "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. ENGINE POWER REDUCED." THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FIXED A SENSOR. THAT WAS AROUND A YEAR AGO. I TRAVEL A LOT FOR MY JOB AND TODAY I ARRIVED IN PORTLAND OREGON HAD PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE TO GET FUEL, AND ONCE I PULLED OUT TO THE EXTREMELY BUSY INTERSECTION MY CAR DID THIS AGAIN! I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND ONCE IT TURNED GREEN BOOM CAR DIED DUE TO TRACTION CONTROL. SO NOW I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH TRAFFIC GOING AROUND 45 MPH ALMOST REAR ENDING ME. I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS AND TRED STARTING IT WHICH WORKED. FOOLISHLY I THOUGHT I COULD AT LEAST MAKE IT TO THIS PARKING LOT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET WHEN I WENT ABOUT 500 FEET IT DID IT AGAIN, IN AN EVEN WORSE SPOT. I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AGAIN FOR 45 SECONDS STARTED THE CAR AND GOT INTO THE PARKING LOT WHICH WAS NOW 50 FEET FROM ME. I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS AND THAT'S WHERE I FOUND AT LEAST 50 OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND TRYING TO GET GM TO HELP. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO MY JOB IF I CAN NOT GET FROM PLACE TO PLACE SAFELY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO KILL PEOPLE.

NHTSA ODI #10862441

63,000 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE REMEDY WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE REMEDY WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860986

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.