When I make a left or right turn the my car stops and struggles to accelerate. Meanwhile making a loud sound from underneath the front of the car. It sounds like something is getting ready to snap.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Wheels complaints
18 reportsSEATBELTS AREN'T LOCKING UP, WHEN TURNING IT'S GIVING ME DELAYS THEN NORMAL ACCELERATION KICKS BACK IN. *TR
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GOES OFF. I TOOK IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT. THIS HAS HAS MORE THAN ONE TIME. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE AN ISSUE DURING A FRONT END COLLISION. MULTIPLE CHEVROLET IMPALA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND GM WON'T STAND BEHIND THIS. SAME FOR THE …
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SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GOES OFF. I TOOK IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT. THIS HAS HAS MORE THAN ONE TIME. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE AN ISSUE DURING A FRONT END COLLISION. MULTIPLE CHEVROLET IMPALA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND GM WON'T STAND BEHIND THIS. SAME FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCKS, DRIVER DOOR DOESN'T ALWAYS OPEN. SAME ISSUE AND SINCE THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT, THEY SAY KEEP AN EYE ON IT. CONCERNED IF THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK SOMETIMES. AIR PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM & STABILITY TRAK MONITORS ALSO SEEM TO HAVE ISSUES. THE SENSORS ON THE CAR CONSTANTLY GO OFF AND MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON A 9 YEAR OLD CAR. CONCERNED WHEN DRIVING IT IF IT'S JUST A SENSOR ISSUE OR A REAL PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERNED WHEN DRIVING AND CHEVROLET DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING CONCERNING THE ISSUE. I'VE ALREADY PAID 645.00 FOR THE ACTUATOR, 345.00 FOR THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM AND I KEEP GETTING TOLD KEEP AN EYE ON THE SERVICE AIRBAG ISSUE CAUSE THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT.
FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE DEALT WITH SEVERAL ISSUES THAT STARTED HAPPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND ALL AT ONCE. FOR STARTERS, MY AIR BAG INDICATOR COME ON AND OFF WHEN I DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT AND THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE IT AND ALL HE SAID WAS I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY AIR…
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FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE DEALT WITH SEVERAL ISSUES THAT STARTED HAPPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND ALL AT ONCE. FOR STARTERS, MY AIR BAG INDICATOR COME ON AND OFF WHEN I DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT AND THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE IT AND ALL HE SAID WAS I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY AIR BAGS WHICH WOULD HAVE COST ROUGHLY $3400.00. IN ADDITION TO THAT, MY ABS INDICATOR BEGAN GOING ON AND OFF AND HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO FEEL AS IF IT WAS ON A HYDROPLANE MODE. WHEN IT TURNS ON IT OCCASIONALLY MAKES MY CAR JERK ON THE ROAD. I WENT TO AN AUTO SUPPLY STORE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO READING SO NOTHING WAS WRONG, DEALERSHIP SAID THE SAME. THE LIGHT SHUT OFF AND IT WAS LIKE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN. ALSO, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DOOR ACTUATORS AT LEAST ONE TO TWO TIMES A YEAR BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK. FINALLY, MY NEW BATTERIES THE LAST FEW OF YEARS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DRAINED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO DAMAGED BATTERIES EVEN THOUGH I REPLACE IT WITH BRAND NEW CAR BATTERIES.
MY STERRING WHEEL ON MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA HAS RECENTLY STARTED GETTING STUCK ONCE THE ENGINE HS BEEN CUT OFF AND PARKED. SOMETIMES I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS TURNING THE KEY AND IT CRANKS RIGHT ON UP WHILE MAJORITY OF THE TIME I HAVE TO ROCK MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WHILE TURNING THE KEY. MY TIRE AND PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS …
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MY STERRING WHEEL ON MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA HAS RECENTLY STARTED GETTING STUCK ONCE THE ENGINE HS BEEN CUT OFF AND PARKED. SOMETIMES I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS TURNING THE KEY AND IT CRANKS RIGHT ON UP WHILE MAJORITY OF THE TIME I HAVE TO ROCK MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WHILE TURNING THE KEY. MY TIRE AND PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I HAVE BROUGHT NEW TIRES AND A OIL CHANGE. MY ACTUATOR MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I CRANK UP MY CAR AND LAST ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO THEN STOPS.
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND FOR MONTHS MY CAR KEEPS LOCKING WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, A HUB ASSEMBLY KIT PUT ON, NEW TIRE RODS, A RACK AND PINION, NEW BREAKS, NEW ROTORS AND A NEW BREAK LINE PUT ON AND STILL MY CAR KEEPS LOCKING UP ON ME. WHEN I TURN THE ABS AND T…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND FOR MONTHS MY CAR KEEPS LOCKING WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, A HUB ASSEMBLY KIT PUT ON, NEW TIRE RODS, A RACK AND PINION, NEW BREAKS, NEW ROTORS AND A NEW BREAK LINE PUT ON AND STILL MY CAR KEEPS LOCKING UP ON ME. WHEN I TURN THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS COME ON AND I'M STUCK AT A PAUSE AND CAN'T MOVE FOR ABOUT 10-20 SECONDS. CAN YOU PLEASE STEER ME IN THE DIRECTION AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAPPENS THAT'S OUT OF MY CONTROL. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR YET IT'S THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY FAMILY AND I. ALSO I HAVE TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO AND FROM WORK. SO PLEASE IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL ME OR WHERE TO LEAD ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOMETHING. THANK YOU
THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, AND FROM ASKING MECHANICS AND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, IT IS NOT JUST THE REPLACEMENT OF A SENSOR OR PART. WAS VERY NERVE RACKING WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED SINCE I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ONE OF MY TIRES (SINCE IT SHOWED ONE AT 0 PSI), BUT IT WAS JUST A …
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THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, AND FROM ASKING MECHANICS AND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, IT IS NOT JUST THE REPLACEMENT OF A SENSOR OR PART. WAS VERY NERVE RACKING WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED SINCE I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ONE OF MY TIRES (SINCE IT SHOWED ONE AT 0 PSI), BUT IT WAS JUST A GLITCH. IF SOMETHING REALLY WAS WRONG, I WOULD HAVE NO IDEA SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WITHOUT THERE BEING A REAL ISSUE
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 …
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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
WHILE DRIVING, I GOT TO ABOUT 60MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AS WELL AS TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER REDUCE. I DROPPED TO 40-45MPH THEN SYSTEM SAID ENTERING TROTTLE MODE AND VEHICLE CUT IN ROAD. I PULLED OVER, TURNED IGNITION OFF AND WAITED 2 OR 3 MINUTES THEN I WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. *TR
HORRIBLE SHIMMY/SHAKE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, EVEN AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ROTORS. UNEVEN WEAR PATTERN ON TIRES (ESPECIALLY THE FRONT). INNER TREAD AND OUTER TREAD BALD, EVEN AFTER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. ALSO FEELS LIKE THERE'S SOME STEERING ISSUES TO WORK OUT AS WELL. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT NOT SHAKE/WEAR TIR…
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HORRIBLE SHIMMY/SHAKE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, EVEN AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ROTORS. UNEVEN WEAR PATTERN ON TIRES (ESPECIALLY THE FRONT). INNER TREAD AND OUTER TREAD BALD, EVEN AFTER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. ALSO FEELS LIKE THERE'S SOME STEERING ISSUES TO WORK OUT AS WELL. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT NOT SHAKE/WEAR TIRES, BUT NOTHING HAS HELPED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS BEEN OF ABSOLUTELY NO HELP EITHER! *TR
Official recalls
516V507000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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