CAR RUNNING DOWN ROAD DASH INSTRUMENTS GO OUT, WARNING LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON. ALL MAY COME BACK ON AND THEN GO OUT AGAIN, PULLING PASSENGER SEAT BELT SEEMS TO AFFECT THIS
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.
What owners actually said
824 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE NECK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER WAS REPAIRED AND REPAINTED. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET EAST (2810 BISHOP RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH 44092), THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD FAILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET EAST (2810 BISHOP RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH 44092), THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,807.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE: ENGINE POWER REDUCED BY 50%" WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WAS MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE: ENGINE POWER REDUCED BY 50%" WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SERVICE PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
A/C ACTUATOR ARM, 3RD ONE GONE BAD, FIRST 2 WERE $175 TO REPAIR, THIS ONE ALMOST $700 TO REPAIR & WE CANNOT AFFORD THAT... OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PROBLEM... WHY NOT A RECALL? REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WIRING BAD & IT HAS QUIT WORKING AT ALL.
"SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING DISPLAYED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP DENIES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY PEOPLE ARE LISTED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT NO CHARGE TO VEHICLE OWNERS.
"SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING DISPLAYED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP DENIES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY PEOPLE ARE LISTED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT NO CHARGE TO VEHICLE OWNERS.
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
I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVY AUTOMOBILE PLACE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE RECALL ON 36110 PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTION I NEED THIS FIXED BECAUSE I CAN TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING NOT SEE HOW MUCH GAS I GOT IN MY TANK NONE OF THE INSTRUMENTS IN THE DASHBOARD WORK I'M ALWAYS RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND I CAN'T TELL…
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I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVY AUTOMOBILE PLACE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE RECALL ON 36110 PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTION I NEED THIS FIXED BECAUSE I CAN TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING NOT SEE HOW MUCH GAS I GOT IN MY TANK NONE OF THE INSTRUMENTS IN THE DASHBOARD WORK I'M ALWAYS RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND I CAN'T TELL IF CAR IS HOT OR COLD CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN ALL THIS OCCURS
TIRES: ARE CONSTANTLY NEEDING REPLACED HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF 60K GOODYEARS TIRES IN ADDITION TO A SET OF PERILLIS WITH ABOUT 40 % TREAD SINCE FEBRAURY 2015. BRAKES: THREE SETS OF BRAKES ON VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2015. EVERYTIME VEHICLE GOES TO MECHANIC THEY STATE THAT ROTORS ARE SEVERELY WARPED. ELECT…
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TIRES: ARE CONSTANTLY NEEDING REPLACED HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF 60K GOODYEARS TIRES IN ADDITION TO A SET OF PERILLIS WITH ABOUT 40 % TREAD SINCE FEBRAURY 2015. BRAKES: THREE SETS OF BRAKES ON VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2015. EVERYTIME VEHICLE GOES TO MECHANIC THEY STATE THAT ROTORS ARE SEVERELY WARPED. ELECTRICAL: HAVING ISSUES WITH ABS TRACTION CONTROL. THIS IS CAUSING REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN TURNING. WHEN CROSSING A MAIN INTERSECTIONS THE CAR COASTS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ACTUATORS AND WIRING TO MANY VEHICLE COMPONENTS HAVING ONGOING ISSUES. AIR CONDITIONER, DOORS, DOOR LOCKS, RELAYS THE MAIN ISSUE I AM HAVING IS NON OPERATIONAL DOORS LOCKS IN VEHICLE. I HAVE TO CRAW THROUGH THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND MY DAUGHTER WAS STANDING OUT OF THE CAR AWAITING ME TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT NEARLY HIT MY CHILD. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS HAVING ITEMS STOLEN FROM VEHICLE DUE TO INTERMITTENT OF THE LOCKS. IT HAS REALLY BECOME A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME WITH THIS CAR. THIS ISSUE WITH LOCKS BECAME A PROBLEM ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. I STATED TO CHEVORLET I WAS ABLE TO PRESS LOCK OR UNLOCK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO AT LEAST FREE ONE LOCK WITHIN THE REAR AND FRONT. ANY HELP WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *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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