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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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67,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, MY CAR INSTANTLY REDUCED SPEED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWERED REDUCED TO ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED. MY CAR REDUCED SPEED TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE. I BEGAN COASTING. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $400 TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684223

112,000 miles · Feb 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME INTERMITTENTLY ALONG WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I HAVE HAD A TECHNICIAN LOOK AT THIS FOR ME AND ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR (ACCELERATOR PEDAL) IS GOING IN AND OUT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS CONNECTED TO A SENSOR THAT DRIVES THE THROTTLE ON THE ENGINE. WH…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME INTERMITTENTLY ALONG WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I HAVE HAD A TECHNICIAN LOOK AT THIS FOR ME AND ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR (ACCELERATOR PEDAL) IS GOING IN AND OUT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS CONNECTED TO A SENSOR THAT DRIVES THE THROTTLE ON THE ENGINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE LOOSES ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684013

215,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683849

113,149 miles · Feb 14, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

THIS IS THE 3RD TIME: WHILE DRIVING, SPEED REDUCES DRAMATICALLY, SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR COMES ON FOLLOWED BY WARNINGS: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX, SHOWS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ISN'T GETTING RESOLVED BY GM. ENGINE POWER REDUCTION…

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THIS IS THE 3RD TIME: WHILE DRIVING, SPEED REDUCES DRAMATICALLY, SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR COMES ON FOLLOWED BY WARNINGS: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX, SHOWS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT ISN'T GETTING RESOLVED BY GM. ENGINE POWER REDUCTION TO SUCH A DRAMATIC SPEED CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR NOT ONLY THE OPERATOR OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, BUT ALSO ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD NEAR THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683433

50,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10683233

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

ON MY DISPLAY I HAVE SEEN DAILY (SERVICE TRACTION ACTION) AND (ENGINE POWER REDUCED) ALONG WITH (SERVICE AIRBAG) FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, DID NOT SERVICE DUE TO COST AND IT IS NOT MY FAULT! MY CAR USUALLY SLOWS DOWN ONCE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED DISPLAYS CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK DUE TO ME TRYING TO GIVE IT MORE GAS SO AS NOT TO BE …

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ON MY DISPLAY I HAVE SEEN DAILY (SERVICE TRACTION ACTION) AND (ENGINE POWER REDUCED) ALONG WITH (SERVICE AIRBAG) FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, DID NOT SERVICE DUE TO COST AND IT IS NOT MY FAULT! MY CAR USUALLY SLOWS DOWN ONCE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED DISPLAYS CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK DUE TO ME TRYING TO GIVE IT MORE GAS SO AS NOT TO BE HIT FROM THE BACK. AS MY GRANDCHILDREN AND I WERE HEADED HOME ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR DECIDED TO JUST SHUT OFF. ON THE DISPLAY IT READ FIRST.. SERVICE TRACTION ACTION AND THEN STARTING DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE. MY CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND I BEGAN TO PRAY HOPING I WOULD NOT GET HIT FROM THE BACK WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN SITTING IN THE BACK. ONCE I PULLED OVER MY CAR WOULD NOT START I SAT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND TRIED TO START AGAIN AND IT STARTED. JUST TODAY 01/12/2015, WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK OF MY CAR AGAIN MY CAR DECIDED TO LOOSE POWER AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT DID SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO FIRST REVERSE AND THEN IT ALLOWED ME TO BUT SOON AFTER I COULD NOT GO FORWARD. THE GAS PEDDLE ACTED AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF BUT THE CAR WAS RUNNING. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE I PRESSED IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, NOTHING HAPPENED. I ENDED UP CALLING A TOWING SERVICE AND AFTER TELLING THEM WHAT HAPPENED I WAS TOLD MY ISSUES STEMMED FROM A ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUE THAT CHEVY HAD RECALLED. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE FOR SO MANY OF US TO GO THROUGH THE SAME ISSUES BUT NOTHING BE DONE ABOUT THESE ISSUES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683129

130,000 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ENCOUNTERING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ENCOUNTERING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682571

98,780 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

DRIVING TO WORK AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THROTTLE ERROR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND POWERED DOWN. I WAS AT RED LIGHT SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN AND WAITING PUT MY FLASHERS ON, WAITED A FEW MORE …

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DRIVING TO WORK AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THROTTLE ERROR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND POWERED DOWN. I WAS AT RED LIGHT SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN AND WAITING PUT MY FLASHERS ON, WAITED A FEW MORE MINUTES AND THE CAR FINALLY STARTED TO MOVE. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT'S A POWERTRAIN ISSUE AND I HAVE 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S NOT POWERTRAIN AND WANTED $778 TO REPAIR, I CALLED CHEVY AFTER SEEING THE FORUMS ONLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND CHEVY SAID THEY ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TO BE BACK AT WORK MONDAY AND DRIVE THROUGH A VERY ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD I DO NOT WANT TO BREAKDOWN IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679903

46,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 3/3/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 3/3/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY IGNITION. THE ENGINE WOULD STALL ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. UPDATED 03/26/15

NHTSA ODI #10668985

80,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667147

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.