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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
45,256 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT END, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION WHERE TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT END, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE STEERING COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,256 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10466561

6,900 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY THEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S RPM STARTED BOUNCING UP AND DOWN FROM TWO AND A HALF TO TWO AND BACK AND FORTH AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND AS WELL AS THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT TURNS ON. I SEE THAT I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL A LOT MORE FURT…

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY THEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S RPM STARTED BOUNCING UP AND DOWN FROM TWO AND A HALF TO TWO AND BACK AND FORTH AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND AS WELL AS THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT TURNS ON. I SEE THAT I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL A LOT MORE FURTHER DOWN FOR MY CAR TO STAY AT 60 MPH AND AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS MY CAR'S RPM DROPS TO 0. MY CAR TURNS OFF WITH THE CAR READING STARTER DISABLED AND SERVICE THROTTLE. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THIS INCIDENT HAD MADE ME LATE FOR WORK AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS A LOT NOW. THIS CAN HAPPEN FROM ONCE EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS TO TWICE A WEEK. JUST RECENTLY MY CAR'S SEAT BELTS WILL BECOME UNDONE WITHOUT ANYONE CLICKING THE BUTTON FOR IT TO RELEASE. ALSO RECENTLY MY SERVICE AIRBAGS LIGHT HAS CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464605

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2012
Air Bags

BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF HAVE 2009 IMPALAS. THEY BOTH HAVE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463518

48,800 miles · Jun 25, 2012
EngineService Brakes

AFTER BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN, THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS CAME ON: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILATRAK, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. PLUS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FROM THIS AND I DID EXPERIENCE REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THESE WARNINGS REMAINED ON FROM THE ONSET UNTIL THIS MORNING, 06/25/1…

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AFTER BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN, THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS CAME ON: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILATRAK, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. PLUS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FROM THIS AND I DID EXPERIENCE REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THESE WARNINGS REMAINED ON FROM THE ONSET UNTIL THIS MORNING, 06/25/12, WHEN I CHECKED IT AGAIN. NOW THE WARNINGS ARE NOT THERE. I STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COME BACK ON AND SO FAR, NOTHING. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES PARTICULARLY THIS MODEL. I WANT TO ADD OUR VEHICLE TO THE COMPLAINT LIST DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF DEPENDABILITY OF THE CAR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT.. I HOPE THAT WITH ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED BY GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462999

53,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, REALLY SPORADIC SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A MESSAGE POPS UP ON MY DISPLAY STATING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE VEHICLE; BRAKES, STEERING AND …

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THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, REALLY SPORADIC SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A MESSAGE POPS UP ON MY DISPLAY STATING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE VEHICLE; BRAKES, STEERING AND ALL. FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLOSE CALLS. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WITH NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. A RECALL IS PROMINENT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461437

72,735 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I REC'D THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GO APPROX 50-55 MPH. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NEAR AN EXIT. AS I WAS EXITING, A MESSAGE CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THE POWER WAS BEIN…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I REC'D THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GO APPROX 50-55 MPH. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NEAR AN EXIT. AS I WAS EXITING, A MESSAGE CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THE POWER WAS BEING TURNED OFF OR STOPPED. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT WORDS. I THEN HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE, IT WAS NOT IN A SAFE PLACE AND TRAFFIC WAS GOING BY AT THE SPEED OF 55-60 MPH AND I WAS BARELY OVER THE WHITE LINE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THIS HAPPENED AT 4:15 ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. MY MECHANIC DIDN'T LOOK AT IT UNTIL MONDAY AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HE DROVE IT ALL OVER AND HE CHECKED EVERYTHING HE COULD THINK OF. I TRUST THIS MECHANIC. HE DID SAY THAT HE WAS AFRAID HE WOULD HAVE TO SEND ME TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I CAME HOME, GOOGLED THE PROBLEMS AND ENDED UP AT EDMUNDS.COM IN A FORUM FOR CHEVY OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE. WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT THIS TIME, THAT IS JUST A BLESSING. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NEED TO BE HURT, MAIMED OR EVEN KILLED BEFORE THEY ISSUE A RECALL AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT IS VERY OBVIOUS. HOW MUCH MONEY AND TIME WILL I SPEND TAKING THIS TO A DEALER WHO DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WON'T DIAGNOSE IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME? AMERICA WANTS AMERICANS TO BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. I OWNED A FOREIGN VEHICLE FOR 9 YEARS AND IT NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED THE WAY THIS CHEVROLET IMPALA DID AFTER OWNING IT FOR 7 MONTHS! I THINK IT IS PAST TIME SOMETHING WAS DONE. FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM NOW AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUT THERE JUST WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO THEM. SAFETY SHOULD COME FIRST! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460664

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY UNTIL STALLING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY UNTIL STALLING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10460136

53,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Service Brakes

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ANY SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH AT TIMES TOO OFTEN I'M GETTING A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT ABOUT 1" IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT'S NOT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN RIDING AND DOESN'T FEEL NOR LOOK NORMAL AT ALL! IT FEELS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM IS…

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WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ANY SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH AT TIMES TOO OFTEN I'M GETTING A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT ABOUT 1" IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT'S NOT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN RIDING AND DOESN'T FEEL NOR LOOK NORMAL AT ALL! IT FEELS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY - RELEASING/COMPRESSING FAST ENOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459556

57,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA LT WITH FLEX-FUEL. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS I'VE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD (SPEEDOMETER AREA) WILL LOSE POWER AND ALL THE GAUGES WILL GO OUT AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THE TURN SIGNALS DON'T FLASH ON THE DASH EITHER. BUT THE RADIO, INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARO…

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I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA LT WITH FLEX-FUEL. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS I'VE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD (SPEEDOMETER AREA) WILL LOSE POWER AND ALL THE GAUGES WILL GO OUT AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THE TURN SIGNALS DON'T FLASH ON THE DASH EITHER. BUT THE RADIO, INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS AROUND THE CAR AND TURN SINGLES WILL ALL WORK FINE. ALSO THERE IS NO NOTICEABLE LOST IN PERFORMANCE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OR MINUTES THE PROBLEM WILL CORRECT ITSELF BUT IT MAY HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN A TRIP. ALSO I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR TURNING OFF AS SOON AS I OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR AFTER STARTING THE CAR BY REMOTE START. SO I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WILL TURN OVER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459553

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE. MERGED CAR TO BREAK DOWN LANE WITHOUT BEING HIT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. CAR THEN RESTARTED AND WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF. PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING REAR WINDOWS THAT WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSO…

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CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE. MERGED CAR TO BREAK DOWN LANE WITHOUT BEING HIT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. CAR THEN RESTARTED AND WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF. PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING REAR WINDOWS THAT WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458248

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.