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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
35,921 miles · May 13, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING MY BRAKES THE FRONT END SHAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY, IT MAKES YOU WANT TO NOT USE THE BRAKES AND PULL YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES APPEAR TO HAVE HARD SPOTS IN THE ROTOR. THERE ARE 35,900 MILES ON THIS CAR WHICH WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2009. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE SAYS IT…

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WHILE APPLYING MY BRAKES THE FRONT END SHAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY, IT MAKES YOU WANT TO NOT USE THE BRAKES AND PULL YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES APPEAR TO HAVE HARD SPOTS IN THE ROTOR. THERE ARE 35,900 MILES ON THIS CAR WHICH WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2009. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE SAYS IT HAS VIBRATED SINCE 13,000 MILES, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN A MORE ALMOST VIOLENT VIBRATION WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN COMING OFF AN EXPRESSWAY RAMP AFTER DRIVING MAYBE 20-40 MILES AND NOT EVEN USING THE BRAKES PRIOR TO HAVING TO APPLY ON THE EXIT ON A GRADUAL SLOWDOWN, NOT A SUDDEN STOP. THIS CAUSES ONE NOT TO WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I WAS A MASTER TECH ON TRUCKS FOR 20 YEARS, AND JUST DRIVING THIS ONE TIME, I KNEW THE PROBABLE CAUSE, I WAS NOT JUST GUESSING. I CHECKED THE WEB AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO SEE THE CAR MANUFACTURER I HAD ALWAYS ALIGNED MYSELF TO, IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION RESPONDING NEGATIVELY TO CUSTOMERS. I CALLED 2 LOCAL DEALERS TODAY TO TRY AND GET THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED AND ASKED BOTH SERVICE REPS IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY BOTH IN THE CINCINNATI AREA SAID NO, IT WAS A WEAR PROBLEM. WAITING TO HEAR A RESPONSE FROM THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400786

59,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE WINDOW GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE MOUTH AND LEFT ARM. HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE WINDOW GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE MOUTH AND LEFT ARM. HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WERE ALSO INJURED AND THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394449

20,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA 1LT WITH THE ORIGINAL GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE P225/60/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED PREMATURE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED, THE FIRST WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE SECOND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT DONE AND TO REPLACE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA 1LT WITH THE ORIGINAL GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE P225/60/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED PREMATURE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED, THE FIRST WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE SECOND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT DONE AND TO REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THEY AGREED TO CALL THE DEALER ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED BOTH REAR TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10379837

4,200 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 395 GOING TO BISHOP CA. WHEN ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE ON STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR 2009 CHEVY IMPALA TO THE DEALER THEY SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED,THIS WAS AT 4200 MILES SO THEY TURNED THE ROTORS . AT 7900 MILES THE DEALER THEN…

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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON 395 GOING TO BISHOP CA. WHEN ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE ON STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR 2009 CHEVY IMPALA TO THE DEALER THEY SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED,THIS WAS AT 4200 MILES SO THEY TURNED THE ROTORS . AT 7900 MILES THE DEALER THEN CHANGED BOTH ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WARPED AGAIN, AT 13000 MILES THE DEALER CHANGED FRONT CALIPERS AND INSTALLED A SHIELD KIT TO HELP COOL THE ROTORS PLUS TURNED THE ROTORS AGAIN. NOW AT 21,000 MILES THE CAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES LIKE BEFORE AND WHEN I CALLED GM CUST SERV THEY TOLD ME THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ROTORS THIS TIME.AS THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED I FEEL GM IS TURNING THEIR BACK ON THERE CUSTOMERS WITH OWELL ATTITUDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376291

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2010
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkagesSeats

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS AND WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. HE STATES THAT THE 3 OF THE 4 DOOR ACTUATORS WERE BROKEN. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAD A PROBLEM WITH A FLASHING RED LIGHT IF A PENCIL OR PIECE PAPER WAS PLACED IN THE SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10371488

11,500 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE ROTORS WERE HEATED, THEY WOULD BECOME WARPED AS IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND ONLY HAP WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,900.

NHTSA ODI #10370653

42,300 miles · Dec 9, 2010
Steering

HEARD A 'WHINING' NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD, THAT CHANGED PITCH WITH ENGINE SPEED. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, & HAD TO BE REPLACED & TIRES REALIGNED, AT A COST OF $1070. OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT POWER STEERING LOSS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369800

2,600 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 90 WEST TOWARD DENVER CO. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEP AND WINDING AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE PACE WAS FAST. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME BEGAN SLOWING AND I BEGAN TO SLOW BY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY BRAKES HEATED UP FAST AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT BREAKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD …

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IN JUNE 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 90 WEST TOWARD DENVER CO. THE TERRAIN WAS STEEP AND WINDING AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE PACE WAS FAST. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME BEGAN SLOWING AND I BEGAN TO SLOW BY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY BRAKES HEATED UP FAST AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT BREAKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE ROTORS FEELING AS THOUGH THEY WERE WARPED AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING. I DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD. GEAR BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SLOW ME ENOUGH SO I DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND AND THIS STILL WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A DOWNHILL SPEED TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO USE THE BRAKES. FINALLY I SHIFTED TO !ST GEAR TO MAINTAIN THE SAFE SPEED THAT I NEEDED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT THE CAR FREEWHEELS SO EXCELLENT THAT EVEN ON LOWER GRADES AS EXPERIENCED IN THE CAROLINAS IN OCTOBER WHEN WE WERE THERE THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GEAR DOWN SO AS NOT TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKES WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN POSTED SPEEDS IN MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH SOLOMON CHEVROLET IN DOTHAN WHERE I GET THE CAR SERVICED AND THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY HAD NO SUGGESTIONS BUT ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DEALERSHIP WISE TO HELP ME. I FEEL IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH DOES NOT SURFACE UNLESS YOU DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369535

47,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL HEADING FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST BACK TO ARIZONA, UPON BRAKING CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING BADLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. LATER FOUND OUT AFTER SEARCHING THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A WARPED ROTAR PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE ITEM THAT I HAVE SE…

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DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL HEADING FROM THE CALIFORNIA COAST BACK TO ARIZONA, UPON BRAKING CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING BADLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. LATER FOUND OUT AFTER SEARCHING THIS SITE AND MANY OTHERS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A WARPED ROTAR PROBLEM. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE ITEM THAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, WHY IS THIS COMPANY NOT BEING PUT TO THE FIRE TO FIX THIS. MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET CLOSE TO 1K FOR A FIX THAT MIGHT LAST 20,000 MILES? I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST CONTROL OR WORSE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THEIR NEW CHEVY AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS. OH, BY THE WAY YOUR WELCOME FOR THE MONEY. AT LEAST TOYOTA IS FIXING THEIR PROBLEMS!!!

NHTSA ODI #10368935

33,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTOR WARP ON 2009 IMPALA LT WITH 30K MILES. CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES BETWEEN 25MPH - 35 MPH. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM SPEEDS 65MPH AND ABOVE. AT THE DEALER NOW BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THE CAUSE IS DRIVER HABIT RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367729

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.