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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.

About this comparison →

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
16,000 miles · Aug 5, 2011
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/03/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417664

28,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE WARPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE CONTACTS FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN THE MOUNTAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE WARPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE CONTACTS FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE BRAKES ARE USED OFTEN; BUT THE FAILURE NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416470

78,000 miles · Jul 30, 2011
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I CAN START THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM BUT I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE IMPALA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10416363

24,504 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,504 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

NHTSA ODI #10415189

54,400 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A VERY LOUD SOUND WOULD COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEALS WERE LEAKING; AS A RESULT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A VERY LOUD SOUND WOULD COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEALS WERE LEAKING; AS A RESULT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,400.

NHTSA ODI #10413442

16,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW AIR FROM THE WINDSHIELD VENT, AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD FREEZE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN, AND WOULD SOMETIMES CLOSE ON HER LEG. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW AIR FROM THE WINDSHIELD VENT, AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD FREEZE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN, AND WOULD SOMETIMES CLOSE ON HER LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10413426

10,000 miles · Jun 23, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 10,000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER UNDER HIGH SPEED BRAKING IE. A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. DEALER TURNED REAR ROTORS. AT 16,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER DURING HIGH SPEED BRAKING AND WHEN ON DOWNHILL MOUNTAINS THE SHUDDER WOULD LEAD TO THE CAR BOUNCING ON THE ROAD. DEALER TURNED FRONT ROTORS. NOW AT 40,000 MILES THE BRAKES…

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AT 10,000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER UNDER HIGH SPEED BRAKING IE. A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. DEALER TURNED REAR ROTORS. AT 16,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER DURING HIGH SPEED BRAKING AND WHEN ON DOWNHILL MOUNTAINS THE SHUDDER WOULD LEAD TO THE CAR BOUNCING ON THE ROAD. DEALER TURNED FRONT ROTORS. NOW AT 40,000 MILES THE BRAKES ARE ONLY 1/2 WORN AND BOTH ROTORS ARE WARPED. DEALER CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO DRIVING STYLE. NO WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408602

20,671 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE TIRE WOULD TILT 20-30 DEGREES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS A GOODYEAR AND THE TIRE LINE WAS INTEGRITY, SIZE P225/60R16 WITH DOT# M60X E6DR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE TIRE WOULD TILT 20-30 DEGREES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS A GOODYEAR AND THE TIRE LINE WAS INTEGRITY, SIZE P225/60R16 WITH DOT# M60X E6DR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,600.

NHTSA ODI #10405323

37,000 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 35K MILES ON AND NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ON ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES ON BRAKING... I SEE WITH ALL THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM SEEMS TO BE PUTTING OFF.. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THE…

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I BOUGHT A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA WITH 35K MILES ON AND NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ON ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES ON BRAKING... I SEE WITH ALL THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM SEEMS TO BE PUTTING OFF.. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AS EVERY OTHER COMPLAINT TAKE TO DEALER AND SPEND OVER $100 JUST TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THE DEALERS SAY THE SAME 3 THINGS AS ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS IT COULD BE THREE THINGS.. GAS PEDAL SENSOR, BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR, OR THE SENSOR ON THE HUB ASSEMBLY... HMMMMMMMMMMM GM HELP... PS AFTER I GOT MAD ON PHONE GM AGREED TO PAY A MERE $90 OF THE BILL WHICH IS GONNA COST OVER $300 TO FIX.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404415

15,316 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES VIBRATING AND GRINDING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY AUTHORIZED SERVICES. THEY ARE LOOKING IN TO IT NOW. I DO NOT FEELS SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ON MOUNTAINS. I AM CONCERNED WHEN THE BRAK…

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I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES VIBRATING AND GRINDING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY AUTHORIZED SERVICES. THEY ARE LOOKING IN TO IT NOW. I DO NOT FEELS SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ON MOUNTAINS. I AM CONCERNED WHEN THE BRAKES GET HOT, THEY WILL NOT WORK. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND AVOID CERTAIN AREAS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GM PRODUCTS. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM THE FACTORY AND THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH GM FOR NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/08/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10405048

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.