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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
51,050 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY 2009 IMPALA, I WAS ALREADY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CAR HAD THE REDUCED POWER ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL ENABLED DISPLAY. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GET A MESSAGE SAYING DISABLE THROTTLE BODY AND THE STAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. THE GOOD THING I WAS ON THE SLOW LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY 2009 IMPALA, I WAS ALREADY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CAR HAD THE REDUCED POWER ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL ENABLED DISPLAY. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GET A MESSAGE SAYING DISABLE THROTTLE BODY AND THE STAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. THE GOOD THING I WAS ON THE SLOW LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS DOING THIS AND WHY GM IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY PROBABLY NEED SOMEONE TO DIE SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE THIS SERIOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480896

57,068 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingPower TrainFire

I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A DRIVEWAY GOING NO MORE THAN 7 MILES AN HOUR, BECAUSE I WAS FOLLOWING A CAR, WHEN I HEARD A LARGE GRIND THEN POP. I PARKED MY CAR AND KNEW IMMEDIATELY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BY THE FLUID TRAIL AND PART LEFT BEHIND. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND LUCKILY IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. A WEEK A…

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I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A DRIVEWAY GOING NO MORE THAN 7 MILES AN HOUR, BECAUSE I WAS FOLLOWING A CAR, WHEN I HEARD A LARGE GRIND THEN POP. I PARKED MY CAR AND KNEW IMMEDIATELY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BY THE FLUID TRAIL AND PART LEFT BEHIND. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND LUCKILY IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING MY VEHICLE BACK THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT SOCKET CAUGHT FIRE, I HAVE LABORED START UP, HAVE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY! AND HAVE STABILITRAK, AIRBAG, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER ERROR CODES THAT RANDOMLY APPEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479321

87,300 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING TO GOLF ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH, ON INTERSTATE I-80 HEADING WEST, MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA ONBOARD COMPUTER STATED THE FOLLOWING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER, STARTER DISABLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE …

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AS I WAS DRIVING TO GOLF ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH, ON INTERSTATE I-80 HEADING WEST, MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA ONBOARD COMPUTER STATED THE FOLLOWING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER, STARTER DISABLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF HARMS WAY AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CHECKED SOME WIRES UNDER THE HOOD AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING LOOSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BACK-UP, THE ONBOARD COMPUTER FLASHED, STARTER DISABLED. I SAT WITH THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND TRIED ONCE MORE. THIS TIME IT STARTED AND RAN NORMAL, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE WAS ON(STILL IS). HOW SCARY IS THIS REALLY? ENOUGH TO MAKE ME HATE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYWHERE. NOT TO MENTION I'M A SINGLE DAD OF 4, WHO NEEDS TO GET TO WORK, SCHOOL AND MANY OTHER THINGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478435

243 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THESE CARS DON'T OPERATE CORRECTLY. CURRENTLY THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DON'T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF CHEVY IMPALA'S. SO FAR I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED BY CHEVY, BUT THE REAR ONES WENT BAD AGAIN. READ THIS WEBSITE FOR…

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THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THESE CARS DON'T OPERATE CORRECTLY. CURRENTLY THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DON'T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF CHEVY IMPALA'S. SO FAR I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED BY CHEVY, BUT THE REAR ONES WENT BAD AGAIN. READ THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO HTTP://CHEVROLETFORUM.COM/FORUM/IMPALA-14/2008-IMPALA-REAR-DOOR-LOCKS-NON-FUNCTIONAL-45920/. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478124

94,000 miles · Sep 28, 2012
Service BrakesSuspension

I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I BRAKE I NOTICE A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR ALSO SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477358

27,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
SuspensionWheels

HAD THE CAR IN FOR NORMAL INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED I HAD UNEVEN REAR TIRE WEAR ON REAR TIRES.. THEY HAD TO GRIND THE REAR SPINDLE TO GET PROPER FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT 2011. 12 MONTHS LATE 2012 WAS INFORMED IN 2012 INSPECTION HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRE AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND HAVE TWO REAR SPINDLE BOLT TO COMPLETE JOB. TH…

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HAD THE CAR IN FOR NORMAL INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED I HAD UNEVEN REAR TIRE WEAR ON REAR TIRES.. THEY HAD TO GRIND THE REAR SPINDLE TO GET PROPER FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT 2011. 12 MONTHS LATE 2012 WAS INFORMED IN 2012 INSPECTION HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRE AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND HAVE TWO REAR SPINDLE BOLT TO COMPLETE JOB. THERE WAS NEVER A MENTION OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR IF THE DEALER WOULD STAND HIND THE PRODUCT AND WARRANTY THE WORK DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477276

23,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL CHAMBERS HAD FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL CHAMBERS HAD FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ UPDATED 10/25/12

NHTSA ODI #10477034

40,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
EngineTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 AT ABOUT 75MPH, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH," REPAIR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM... ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING". THANKFULLY, I WAS APPROACHING A REST AREA, SO I SAFELY COASTED TO A SECURE AREA. AFTER ESCAPING A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, I RESEARCHED THIS TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ONLY TO DISCOV…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 AT ABOUT 75MPH, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH," REPAIR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM... ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING". THANKFULLY, I WAS APPROACHING A REST AREA, SO I SAFELY COASTED TO A SECURE AREA. AFTER ESCAPING A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, I RESEARCHED THIS TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ONLY TO DISCOVER INNUMERABLE CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED SINCE IT IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM, ONE THAT IS ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF GM AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476908

60,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10476875

83,000 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT ROUGHLY 10-15 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS IT WAS DISPLAYING THE MESSAGE FOR WHAT NEEDED TO BE CHECKED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES CAME ON. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND CHECK FORUM AFTER FORUM ABOUT IT AND HAVE FOUND HUNDR…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT ROUGHLY 10-15 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS IT WAS DISPLAYING THE MESSAGE FOR WHAT NEEDED TO BE CHECKED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES CAME ON. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND CHECK FORUM AFTER FORUM ABOUT IT AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME VEHICLES. WONDERING EUGENE GM WILL BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL AND PUBLICLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466971

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.