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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
39,500 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

ALARM CAME ON THAT READ SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL - ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I WAS TRYING TO PASS A SEMI-TRAILER WITH ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT DEAD AND ANOTHER ALARM READ STARTING DISABLED. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD NOT NOTICED MY CAR ROLLING TO A STOP I WOULD HAVE BEE…

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ALARM CAME ON THAT READ SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL - ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I WAS TRYING TO PASS A SEMI-TRAILER WITH ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT DEAD AND ANOTHER ALARM READ STARTING DISABLED. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD NOT NOTICED MY CAR ROLLING TO A STOP I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND SENT INTO THE TRUCK. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516216

38,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING UP FROM UNDER MY SEAT, I PUT DOWN THE WINDOWS WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO A SAFE SPACE AND BY THAT TIME VISIBLE FIRE WAS COMING UP FROM AROUND THE EDGES OF THE SEAT I HIT THE ONSTAR BOTTON TOLD THEM MY CARE WAS ON FIRE THEY DISPATCHED POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER T…

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WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING UP FROM UNDER MY SEAT, I PUT DOWN THE WINDOWS WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO A SAFE SPACE AND BY THAT TIME VISIBLE FIRE WAS COMING UP FROM AROUND THE EDGES OF THE SEAT I HIT THE ONSTAR BOTTON TOLD THEM MY CARE WAS ON FIRE THEY DISPATCHED POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT APPEARED TO THEM THAT THE WIRING FROM THE SEAT MOTOR AT SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THROUGH THE WIRE CASING WHICH THEN CAUGHT THE SEAT I WAS SITTING IN ON FIRE. THE AUTO BODY ALSO STATED THAT THAT APPEARED TO BE WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514472

82,000 miles · May 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ 2009 MODEL A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS 82,000 ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT SAID THAT I HAD A BAD ACCELERATOR SENSOR. FOLLOWED BY A FLASHING LIGHT THAT SAID MY CAR HAD REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. I HAVE LOOKED UP MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ 2009 MODEL A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS 82,000 ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT SAID THAT I HAD A BAD ACCELERATOR SENSOR. FOLLOWED BY A FLASHING LIGHT THAT SAID MY CAR HAD REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. I HAVE LOOKED UP MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A BAD GAS PEDAL. GM KNOWS AND I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHY THEY NEVER ASKED FOR A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513644

22,000 miles · May 24, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THEN FAILED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THEN FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513372

83,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AS THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AS THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10512850

56,000 miles · May 16, 2013
EngineService BrakesTraction Control System

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. BEING THE PERSON THAT I AM I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE AND TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL OCCASIONALLY COME ON WITH THE AMOUNT OF RAIN WE HAD IN OUR AREA.THEY SAID WHEN IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRY OUT I…

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ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. BEING THE PERSON THAT I AM I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE AND TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL OCCASIONALLY COME ON WITH THE AMOUNT OF RAIN WE HAD IN OUR AREA.THEY SAID WHEN IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRY OUT IT WILL GO OFF. WELL TO DATE IT HAS NOT GONE OFF BUT STAYS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. NOW IT IS HAVING FUN WITH THE REDUCE POWER LIGHT WHICH BASICALLY SLOWS DOWN THE CAR. NOT ONLY ARE THE FLIP FLOPPING BUT WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKES IT SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF IT WILL CATCH BUT THEN LET GO AND CATCH AGAIN. HOW SCARY IS THIS WHEN YOU FEEL YOUR BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE CAR? THIS IS NOT A GOOD FEELING. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AND IT WILL COST ME $85 TO $100 TO HAVE THIS PUT ON A MACHINE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. AND GET THIS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THIS IS NOT A COVERED PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS WHY? I HAVE TRIED VERY HARD TO STICK WITH CHEVROLET PRODUCTS BUT THIS IS REALLY MAKING ME RETHINK MY DECISION. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THESE ALERTS AND SENSORS. I AM NOT ONE TO SINK A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY INTO A CAR WITH REPAIRS, I WILL GET RID OF IT IMMEDIATELY. I MAINTAIN MY CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512474

38,400 miles · May 16, 2013
Service Brakes

MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ABS LIGHT AND THE INFORMATION CENTER SAID SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WITH OUT ME PAYING FOR IT. IT APPEARS FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA. MINE DID NOT SHUT DOWN BUT I AM SURE THAT IS NOT FAR OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512448

37,614 miles · May 8, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE TURN SIGNALS, HOWEVER, WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE TURN SIGNALS, HOWEVER, WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,614. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10511179

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2013
Electrical System

WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON MARCH 27TH 2013. ON APRIL 20TH 2013 (THAT IS 24 DAYS). THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT YOU CANT SHUT IT OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, THEREFORE WE HAVE TO REMOVE THE CABLE TO THE BATTERY EVERYTIME WE GET OUT OF THE CAR , BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, THE BATTERY IS DEAD WHEN WE COM…

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WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON MARCH 27TH 2013. ON APRIL 20TH 2013 (THAT IS 24 DAYS). THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT YOU CANT SHUT IT OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, THEREFORE WE HAVE TO REMOVE THE CABLE TO THE BATTERY EVERYTIME WE GET OUT OF THE CAR , BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, THE BATTERY IS DEAD WHEN WE COME BACK. OF COURSE WE FIND OUT AFTER WE BUY IT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. WE ARE RELYING ON THIS CAR TO GO TO WORK AND TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE BATTERY CABLE EVERTIME WE GET IN AND OUT. WHEN WE PURCHASED A CHEVY WE EXPECTED IT TO WORK LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510726

42,000 miles · May 5, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING. APPRX 30-45MPH. RANDOM SERVICE LIGHT APPEARED SHOWED AS "REDUCED POWER ENGINE" VEHICLE THEN AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN. TURNS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. UN-SAFE. OVER 1500 REVIEWS SAME SITUATION SAME VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510711

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.