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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

22 reports
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36,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE METAL LATCH PINCHED HER FINGER. THE REAR PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SQUEALED WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE WINDOW UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL BLINKER GENERATED FALSE COMMANDS INTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE METAL LATCH PINCHED HER FINGER. THE REAR PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SQUEALED WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE WINDOW UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL BLINKER GENERATED FALSE COMMANDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632124

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityLatches/locks/linkages

MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH KEY.. AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT WHERE MY 2 YRS OLD SETS., THE LOCK ON HER SIDE SOMETIMES DOESN'T LOCK AND SHE CAN OPEN THE DOOR.. ALSO WHEN IT DOES LOCK I HAFTA CRAWL THRU FRONT SEAT INTO BACK AND PULL THE LATCH UP TO UNLOCK DOOR... ALSO I HAVE TO U…

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MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH KEY.. AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT WHERE MY 2 YRS OLD SETS., THE LOCK ON HER SIDE SOMETIMES DOESN'T LOCK AND SHE CAN OPEN THE DOOR.. ALSO WHEN IT DOES LOCK I HAFTA CRAWL THRU FRONT SEAT INTO BACK AND PULL THE LATCH UP TO UNLOCK DOOR... ALSO I HAVE TO USE A SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH IN SOME SOLENOID ON MY SHIFTER TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR.. IT SUCKS BIG TIME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609744

24,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609012

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE ACTUATORS IN ALL FOUR OF MY ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY, WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE SINCE THE DRIVER DOOR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL OPEN FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR WITH A KEY. WE HAVE THREE CHILDREN USING CAR SEATS WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH ONE OF THE DOORS FROM THE FRONT SE…

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THE ACTUATORS IN ALL FOUR OF MY ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY, WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE SINCE THE DRIVER DOOR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL OPEN FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR WITH A KEY. WE HAVE THREE CHILDREN USING CAR SEATS WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH ONE OF THE DOORS FROM THE FRONT SEAT, SINCE ONE OF THE SEATS IS REAR FACING (BY LAW). THE CHILDREN ARE NOT CAPABLE OF UNLOCKING THE DOORS ON THEIR OWN OR UNBUCKLING THEIR OWN CAR SEAT RESTRAINTS. IF WE WERE TO NEED TO EVACUATE THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD TAKE ENTIRELY TOO LONG FOR ME TO HAVE TO CLIMB AROUND THE BACK SEAT TO TRY AND GET ALL OF MY CHILDREN UNRESTRAINED AND DOORS UNLOCKED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THAT IS 100% INCORRECT. THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN A CONVENIENCE ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE FIRST ONE THAT WENT OUT REPAIRED, BUT AM QUITE SADDENED BY THE FACT THAT ALL THREE OF THE OTHER DOORS NEED THE SAME REPAIRS. PLEASE RECONSIDER RECALLING THESE MALFUCTIONING PARTS, BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS IS AT STAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608109

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB INTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER DOOR ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND MUST BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY BY PULLING ON THE LOCK. THIS DOES POSE A SAFETY CONCERN WITH AN EVENT THAT WOULD CAUSE A NEED TO QUICKLY EVACUATE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607671

74,800 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TRIED TO LOCK DOORS WITH KEY FOB AND BOTH REAR DOORS AND SOMETIMES PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT LOCK. ATTEMPTED TO LOCK FROM INSIDE VEHICLE AND WOULD STILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574224

22,000 miles · May 24, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THEN FAILED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THEN FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513372

27,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH AND THE LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN PARKED INDOORS. THE FAILURE AND THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH AND THE LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN PARKED INDOORS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 01/30/13*LJ UPDATED 1/31/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10488951

243 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THESE CARS DON'T OPERATE CORRECTLY. CURRENTLY THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DON'T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF CHEVY IMPALA'S. SO FAR I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED BY CHEVY, BUT THE REAR ONES WENT BAD AGAIN. READ THIS WEBSITE FOR…

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THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THESE CARS DON'T OPERATE CORRECTLY. CURRENTLY THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DON'T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF CHEVY IMPALA'S. SO FAR I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED BY CHEVY, BUT THE REAR ONES WENT BAD AGAIN. READ THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO HTTP://CHEVROLETFORUM.COM/FORUM/IMPALA-14/2008-IMPALA-REAR-DOOR-LOCKS-NON-FUNCTIONAL-45920/. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478124

16,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW AIR FROM THE WINDSHIELD VENT, AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD FREEZE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN, AND WOULD SOMETIMES CLOSE ON HER LEG. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW AIR FROM THE WINDSHIELD VENT, AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD FREEZE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN, AND WOULD SOMETIMES CLOSE ON HER LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10413426

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.