← New search

2008 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

665 reports with mileage · 145 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 221 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

51 crash reports10 fire reports36 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

221 reports
Clear category filter
165,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

AFTER GOING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE, SERP BELT SLIPS, LOSE POWER STEERING, CANT HARDLY CONTROL CAR. IF IT HAPPENED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC COULD BE VERY BAD. WENT TO BEARD CHEVROLET A MONTH AGO (THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SEVERAL MOS) AND WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL, AND IN NEW CARS THEY WENT TO ELECTRIC PS BECAUSE OF IT. THAT DOES…

Read full complaint

AFTER GOING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE, SERP BELT SLIPS, LOSE POWER STEERING, CANT HARDLY CONTROL CAR. IF IT HAPPENED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC COULD BE VERY BAD. WENT TO BEARD CHEVROLET A MONTH AGO (THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SEVERAL MOS) AND WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL, AND IN NEW CARS THEY WENT TO ELECTRIC PS BECAUSE OF IT. THAT DOESN'T CONSOLE ME WITH AN OTHERWISE PERFECTLY RUNNING CAR. I HAD REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND SERP BELT ALREADY BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655420

65,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE AC VENT TRYING TO CLOSE WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR. IT MAKES A LOUD SPUTTERING CLUNKING SOUND AFTER THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I WAS TOLD IT IS THE VENT TRYING TO CLOSE AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A MOTOR FOR $2-300 PLUS LABOR. ANYTIME I START THE CAR UP, IT MAKES A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING SOUND UNDER TH…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE AC VENT TRYING TO CLOSE WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR. IT MAKES A LOUD SPUTTERING CLUNKING SOUND AFTER THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I WAS TOLD IT IS THE VENT TRYING TO CLOSE AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A MOTOR FOR $2-300 PLUS LABOR. ANYTIME I START THE CAR UP, IT MAKES A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND STOPS WHEN I BACK OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653876

119,205 miles · Nov 1, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE RESEARCH THE DATA AND THERE ARE SEVERAL YOU TUBE VIDEOS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM...IT IS A FAULTY WIRE (PURPLE) THAT SHIFTS WITH THE GEAR AND CAUSE THE WIRE TO BE WORN AND MAKE THE KEYS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS WITH …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE RESEARCH THE DATA AND THERE ARE SEVERAL YOU TUBE VIDEOS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM...IT IS A FAULTY WIRE (PURPLE) THAT SHIFTS WITH THE GEAR AND CAUSE THE WIRE TO BE WORN AND MAKE THE KEYS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS WITH THE 2006, 2007 AND 2008 IMPALA. THIS CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DIE AND IS A SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR JOB SHOULD IT BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. ALSO, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR THE RECENT RECALL, THINKING THAT MAY HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM...EPIC FAIL. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651852

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AND ADDED THE CONTACT TO A WAITING LIST. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AND ADDED THE CONTACT TO A WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10651690

158,250 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Electrical System

THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING IN THE AREA OF THE AC/HEATING UNIT. IT IS AFFECTED BY LOCKING/UNLOCKING DOORS, OPENING/CLOSING DOORS, TURNING AC/HEAT OFF & ON. THE CLICKING USUALLY LASTS FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE AND CAN START/STOP WHILE DRIVING. THE TECHNICIANS AT JIFFY LUBE SAID THEY KNOW OF SEVERAL GM VEHICLES THAT HAS THIS SAME PROB…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING IN THE AREA OF THE AC/HEATING UNIT. IT IS AFFECTED BY LOCKING/UNLOCKING DOORS, OPENING/CLOSING DOORS, TURNING AC/HEAT OFF & ON. THE CLICKING USUALLY LASTS FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE AND CAN START/STOP WHILE DRIVING. THE TECHNICIANS AT JIFFY LUBE SAID THEY KNOW OF SEVERAL GM VEHICLES THAT HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND THE FIX? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651414

83,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY HAD TO BE TAMPERED WITH IN ORDER TO EJECT PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MAN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY HAD TO BE TAMPERED WITH IN ORDER TO EJECT PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10650884

75,280 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE TRYING TO CLEAR DEBRIS FROM WINDSHIELD TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 65MPH+. WINDSHIELD WIPERS MADE ONE SWEEP, WHEN ACTIVATED AGAIN, MOTOR CLICKED AND WIPERS SEIZED IN PARTIAL UP POSITION CREATING VISIBILITY HAZARD. CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT TO GET WIPERS TO FUNCTION WITH NO LUCK. STOPPE…

Read full complaint

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE TRYING TO CLEAR DEBRIS FROM WINDSHIELD TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 65MPH+. WINDSHIELD WIPERS MADE ONE SWEEP, WHEN ACTIVATED AGAIN, MOTOR CLICKED AND WIPERS SEIZED IN PARTIAL UP POSITION CREATING VISIBILITY HAZARD. CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT TO GET WIPERS TO FUNCTION WITH NO LUCK. STOPPED VEHICLE, SHUTDOWN AND RESTARTED, ATTEMPTED USE OF WIPERS AGAIN STILL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. FUSE CHECKED AND STILL GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649848

150,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. HOWEVER, THE DOORS AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. HOWEVER, THE DOORS AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPENED IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOORS BY USING THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10648805

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10648453

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10644570

Official recalls

2

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.

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

1

DP14001 · Passenger Air Bag Ocs Algorithm

Opened Jul 22, 2014 · Closed Mar 7, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Air Bags

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.