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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
38,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEAT BELT INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEAT BELT INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SORENESS IN THE SHOULDER AND A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10633674

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10633249

70,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, AND REDUCE POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, AND REDUCE POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632834

37,006 miles · Sep 11, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND LASTING THIRTY SECONDS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS THE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND LASTING THIRTY SECONDS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS THE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,006.

NHTSA ODI #10632455

36,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE METAL LATCH PINCHED HER FINGER. THE REAR PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SQUEALED WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE WINDOW UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL BLINKER GENERATED FALSE COMMANDS INTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE METAL LATCH PINCHED HER FINGER. THE REAR PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SQUEALED WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE WINDOW UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL BLINKER GENERATED FALSE COMMANDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632124

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10631967

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 4/28/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10631858

102,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10631785

100,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SWITCH THE SHIFTER TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATION AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SWITCH THE SHIFTER TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATION AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630576

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL A.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL A. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10630294

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.