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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

What owners actually said

824 reports
85,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH GM AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO HAVE REFUSED TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE MY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED 99$ PER VISIT TO JONES CHEVROLET AND STILL HAVE THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE. IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND INTERMITTENTLY GOES AWAY ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. IT STARTED …

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I HAVE GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH GM AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO HAVE REFUSED TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE MY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED 99$ PER VISIT TO JONES CHEVROLET AND STILL HAVE THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE. IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND INTERMITTENTLY GOES AWAY ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. IT STARTED OFF WITH THE LIGHT JUST TURNING ON WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR A ROUGH ROAD BUT NOW EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT COMES ON. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT AN AIR BAG ISSUES IS THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY AFTER MY WARRANTY IS UP HOWEVER THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED OR THE CAR HAS NEVER GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT SO I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHY IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR OF SUCH AN INTEGRAL SAFETY PART OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD LAST AND FUNCTION WITHOUT ISSUES FOR AT LEAST A LITTLE WHILE IF NOT FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THE INITIAL WARRANTY IS UP. I HAVE NOW SPEND IN THE UPWARDS OF $800 OUT OF POCKET TO TRY AND GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BUT GM HAS NOT BEEN COOPERATIVE AT ALL. I HAD TO LEAVE 5 VOICEMAILS TO AN ADVISOR TO CALL ME BACK AND SHE AND HER SUPERVISOR RUDELY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A RESOLUTION AND IF GOD FORBID I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY BUT DIDN'T DO SO IT WOULD BE ON ME AND GM WONT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. I HAVE TRANSCRIPTS OF SERVICE AND RECORDED CALL FROM THEM TO PROVE THIS. PLEASE ASSIST.

NHTSA ODI #10892929

5 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON SAYS IT IS REDUCING SPEED AND THE CAR WILL LOOSE POWER AND JUST DIE. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE. I RECEIVED A SPECIAL NOTICE RECALL BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT SINCE I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE THEY COULD NOT DO THE REPAIR. THE KEY IS …

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A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON SAYS IT IS REDUCING SPEED AND THE CAR WILL LOOSE POWER AND JUST DIE. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE. I RECEIVED A SPECIAL NOTICE RECALL BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT SINCE I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE THEY COULD NOT DO THE REPAIR. THE KEY IS ALSO STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT DRAINING THE BATTER, AAA HAS COME OUT TWICE TO SWITCH THE BATTERY OUT FOR ME. THERE IS ALWAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #10892585

72,000 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Air BagsExterior LightingSeats

AIRBAG SERVICE MESSAGE AND AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. PAID 269.36 4/22/2016 SO IT WOULD PASS STATE INSPECTION. LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, NOW IT IS GIVING US THE SAME PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER, SAID COST TO REPAIR WITH NEW HARNESS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD BE AROUND 250.00 MORE. THE GENERAL HAS A HUGE PROBLEM HE…

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AIRBAG SERVICE MESSAGE AND AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. PAID 269.36 4/22/2016 SO IT WOULD PASS STATE INSPECTION. LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, NOW IT IS GIVING US THE SAME PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER, SAID COST TO REPAIR WITH NEW HARNESS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD BE AROUND 250.00 MORE. THE GENERAL HAS A HUGE PROBLEM HERE.

NHTSA ODI #10891697

113,803 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INTERIOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,8…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INTERIOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,803. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10889311

35,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Electrical System

HEAT / AIR ACTUATOR. THE MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT / AIR IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO MAKE A HORRIBLE CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF OR ON. IT WOULD START WHEN THE CAR DOOR WAS OPENED OR WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED (NOT A DEALER...NOT GIVING THEM ANY MORE OF …

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HEAT / AIR ACTUATOR. THE MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT / AIR IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO MAKE A HORRIBLE CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF OR ON. IT WOULD START WHEN THE CAR DOOR WAS OPENED OR WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED (NOT A DEALER...NOT GIVING THEM ANY MORE OF MY MONEY). IT COST OVER $200 TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #10884693

32,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Electrical System

DOOR LOCKS! THE REAR CAR DOOR LOCKS (ACTUATORS) WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB, OR WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE CAR STOPPED. MY CHILDREN NOW HAVE TO WAIT FOR ME TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO UNLOCK THEIR DOORS MANUALLY. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10884691

33,700 miles · Jul 8, 2016
Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. UNDERSEAT HARNESS CONNECTIONS WERE TIGHTENED, BUT THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN 4 MONTHS AGO. WARNING LIGHT WILL CLEAR ONCE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FIL…

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SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. UNDERSEAT HARNESS CONNECTIONS WERE TIGHTENED, BUT THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN 4 MONTHS AGO. WARNING LIGHT WILL CLEAR ONCE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED WITH GM. AT THIS TIME, GM IS UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THE AIR BAG WOULD FUNCTION AS DESIGNED OR EVEN DEPLOY AT ALL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10883545

87,000 miles · Jul 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND MESSAGE CAME ACROSS SAYING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL: THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AT THE SAME TIME. FOLLOW BY A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THEN SPEED WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. VE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND MESSAGE CAME ACROSS SAYING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL: THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY AT THE SAME TIME. FOLLOW BY A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THEN SPEED WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. VEHICLE HAD TROUBLES RESTARTING AND WOULD NOT MOVE. STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. TRIES TO DIE WHILE IDLING AFTER YOU GET IT TO START. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED - BUT NEVER ON THE FREEWAY WHICH WAS VERY SCARY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAID WITHOUT A WARRANTY I COULD NOT BE HELPED I COULD PAY $700 TO FIX IT THOUGH. THEY COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEATH WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HOW QUICKLY YOU LOSE POWER I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME, BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION, UNBELIEVABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10883374

83,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIR BAG SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING, AS DOES THE AIR BAG WARNING SYMBOL. UNSURE IF AIR BAG WILL INFLATE IN A CRASH IF LIGHT IS ON DURING A CRASH. CONSIDERABLE SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ONLY RIDE IN REAR OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10881917

69,600 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,600.

NHTSA ODI #10881625

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.