← New search

2009 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

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

Steering complaints

57 reports
Clear category filter
39,256 miles · May 1, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR KIT AND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR KIT AND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,256. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10713979

122,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
EngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE CAR LOST POWER AND DISPLAYED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." I LOST COMPLETE POWER AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713936

68,989 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringWheels

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 89756+ MILES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S TRACTION SERVICE CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS STAYS ON AND WHEN I TURN THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING SOUND AND SOMETIMES STALLS. WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OFF, THE CAR LOSES SOME BRAKE CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS. I …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 89756+ MILES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S TRACTION SERVICE CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS STAYS ON AND WHEN I TURN THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING SOUND AND SOMETIMES STALLS. WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OFF, THE CAR LOSES SOME BRAKE CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS. I REPLACE THE GAS PEDAL (TWICE), THE LEFT BARRING AND THE PROBLEM HASN'T GONE AWAY. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS FOR A YEAR NOW. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF 2009 CHEVY IMPALAS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WEBSITES AND FORUMS SUPPORTING THIS ISSUE SHOULD RECALL BY CHEVROLET. THIS IS VERY RECKLESS. I ONLY DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK AND BACK. I AM FEARFUL EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE & ABS SYSTEM ISSUES IN THE 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700922

40,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrashInjury

I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BRAIN INJURY, TONGUE NEARLY CUT IN HALF, THORATIC SPRAIN, NECK SPRAIN, ETC. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, I WAS GOING AT LEAST 60-65 MPH WHEN I HAD MY FRONT END CRASH AND MY HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES ALREADY SUBMITTED TO CHEVY, SUCH AS THE STEERING ISSUES I HAD. THE…

Read full complaint

I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BRAIN INJURY, TONGUE NEARLY CUT IN HALF, THORATIC SPRAIN, NECK SPRAIN, ETC. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, I WAS GOING AT LEAST 60-65 MPH WHEN I HAD MY FRONT END CRASH AND MY HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES ALREADY SUBMITTED TO CHEVY, SUCH AS THE STEERING ISSUES I HAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I LATER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN I WAS TURNING MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689466

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 …

Read full complaint

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

71,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

KEY WENT AND TURNED VEHICLE ON . WHEN I STOPPED TO PULL KEY OUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671486

40,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE F…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10654823

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…

Read full complaint

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

42,000 miles · Nov 1, 2014
Air BagsSteeringCrash

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FI…

Read full complaint

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. NE

NHTSA ODI #10651789

58,500 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BEEP AND GAUGES DIDN'T WORK THEN WORK. THE GAUGES WENT BACK AND FORTH. THE LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. I STARTED TO DRIVE AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER DIDN'T WORK. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO WORK HARDER TO REACH HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME …

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BEEP AND GAUGES DIDN'T WORK THEN WORK. THE GAUGES WENT BACK AND FORTH. THE LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. I STARTED TO DRIVE AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER DIDN'T WORK. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO WORK HARDER TO REACH HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME OFF BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE CODES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT COULDN'T FIND WHAT CAUSED THE STABILITRAK LIGHT TO COME ON. THEY TOOK THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS OFF AND PUT ELECTRICAL GREASE ON TO KEEP MOISTURE OUT. THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE STABILITRAK LIGHT TO COME ON AND GAUGES NOT TO WORK. NOW, IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING. I FEEL THAT SOMEDAY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE ONE TIME I FELT THE POWER STEERING TO GO BUT COME BACK RIGHT AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639570

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.