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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
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

I HAVE A 09 CHEVY IMAPALA AND MY CAR MAKES THIS AGGRAVATING TICKING NOISE WHEN I ENTER MY CAR WHEN I CRANK UP THE CAR WHEN IM OUTSIDE AND TOUCH HE CAR IT TICKS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO. IT ALSO TICKS WHEN I HAVE TO TURN THE AIR ON FOR THE DRIVER SIDE I HAVE TO LEAVE THE TEMP OR HOT AND WHEN THE TICKING STOPS COMPLETLY ( THER…

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I HAVE A 09 CHEVY IMAPALA AND MY CAR MAKES THIS AGGRAVATING TICKING NOISE WHEN I ENTER MY CAR WHEN I CRANK UP THE CAR WHEN IM OUTSIDE AND TOUCH HE CAR IT TICKS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO. IT ALSO TICKS WHEN I HAVE TO TURN THE AIR ON FOR THE DRIVER SIDE I HAVE TO LEAVE THE TEMP OR HOT AND WHEN THE TICKING STOPS COMPLETLY ( THERE IS TWO REPS OF IT) THEN I CAN MOVE IT TO THE COLD SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10875189

60,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10873959

58,000 miles · Jun 10, 2016
Engine

REDUCED ENGINE POWER APPEARED FOLLOWED BY CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. THEN SYMBOL FOR CHECK TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE COMPLETELY IN PASSING LANE ON INTERSTATE 80. CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL ALSO LIT, CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. APPROX 15 MIN LATER, IT DID START WITH CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL LIGHTED.

NHTSA ODI #10873568

80,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL - DRIVER VANITY LIGHTS NO LONGER COME ON. SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND CLICKING NOISE WHEN AC IS TURNED ON. CLICKING NOISE CONTINUE EVEN WHEN CAR IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10873214

134,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 134K MILES AND JUST GAVE ME A "REDUCED POWER ENGINE", "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL", AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I GOOGLED AROUND AND CAME ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY IMPALAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR (07-10) ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE "ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONER PEDAL SENSOR. ALSO READING…

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CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 134K MILES AND JUST GAVE ME A "REDUCED POWER ENGINE", "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL", AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I GOOGLED AROUND AND CAME ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY IMPALAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR (07-10) ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE "ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONER PEDAL SENSOR. ALSO READING INTO IT, IT CLAIMS THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY STOP FROM 60MPH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 20 OR ZERO. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10872557

97,000 miles · Jun 4, 2016
Air Bags

CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING BUT WAS IN HOT SUN FOR A FEW HOURS. WHEN I CAME BACK TO CAR I STARTED IT UP AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG SIGN WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 4TH OF 2015. OCCASIONALLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT THEN WILL COME RIGHT BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #10872475

122,800 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS THESE MESSAGES HAVE APPEARED ON MY CAR BEFORE. I TRAVELED ANOTHER 40 MILES ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY EXIT. I WAS PASSING A…

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I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE CAR ALERTED ME THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS THESE MESSAGES HAVE APPEARED ON MY CAR BEFORE. I TRAVELED ANOTHER 40 MILES ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY EXIT. I WAS PASSING AN OVER-SIZED TRACTOR TRAILER GOING UP HILL WHEN THE CAR DISPLAYED STARTING DISABLED THROTTLE SERVICE AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD TO INITIATE MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND WAIT FOR THE TRACTOR TRAILER TO PASS ME SO I COULD MOVE THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUTOFF AND WAS JUST COASTING, I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL THE CAR. I FEEL LIKE HAD MY SITUATION WAS JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THE CAR COULD HAVE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH CARS TRAVELING 70+ MPH AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A CRASH. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THAT REMEDIED THE SITUATION FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THIS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE THAT I KNOW IS COMMON WITH THE IMPALA'S AS I'VE HEARD IT HAPPENING TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE OWNING IMPALA'S.

NHTSA ODI #10871984

78,251 miles · May 31, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. MARCH 2015 KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT PARK FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THIS AFTER THE RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO ON MAY 27, 2016 CAR STARED HAVING LOUD CLICKING SOUND WHEN…

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2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. MARCH 2015 KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT PARK FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THIS AFTER THE RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO ON MAY 27, 2016 CAR STARED HAVING LOUD CLICKING SOUND WHEN AIR VENT IS SET TO AIR FROM OUTSIDE OR WHEN OFF. COMES FROM PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD. UPON LOOKING THIS ISSUE UP ONLINE MANY HAVE STATED A BAD ACTUATOR BEING THE CAUSE. THIS DEFINITELY APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. CONTINUES EVEN WHEN CAR IS OFF SINCE IT SWITCHES DIRECTLY BACK TO THAT SETTING. MILEAGE IS 78251

NHTSA ODI #10871518

96,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HOME FROM WORK 65 MPH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND READOUT SAID LOOS OF ENGINE POWER MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 40 I PULLED OVER AND WENT OFF THE EXIT AND FINISHED MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL BUT AIRBAG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON SINCE AND THE DEALER…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HOME FROM WORK 65 MPH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND READOUT SAID LOOS OF ENGINE POWER MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 40 I PULLED OVER AND WENT OFF THE EXIT AND FINISHED MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL BUT AIRBAG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON SINCE AND THE DEALER WANTS 1000.00 TO FIX IT. CAN'T GET MY CAR INSPECTED. THIS AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED

NHTSA ODI #10870122

93,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Unknown Or Other

LOUD CLICKING NOISE. I THINK IT'S SOMETHINGS TO DEAL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WHEN THE BUTTON IS ON THE BLUE AREA. ACTUATOR? THE CLICKING SOUND WOULD COME AND GO. WHEN I PRESS THE KEY BUTTON ON MY KEYCHAIN. POP THE TRUNK AND SOMETIMES IT JUST GOES OFF THROUGH THE THE DAY WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PARK.

NHTSA ODI #10870121

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.