← 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
54,000 miles · Nov 11, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCKS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SECURE, THE DOORS MUST BE LOCKED. IF A CHILD, INFANT OR DISABLED PERSON WOULD BE IN THE BACK SEAT AND NEEDED TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT SOMEONE FIRST CLIMBING THROUGH THE SEATS FROM THE FRONT AND …

Read full complaint

FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCKS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SECURE, THE DOORS MUST BE LOCKED. IF A CHILD, INFANT OR DISABLED PERSON WOULD BE IN THE BACK SEAT AND NEEDED TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT SOMEONE FIRST CLIMBING THROUGH THE SEATS FROM THE FRONT AND REACHING WAY BACK TO THE BACK OF THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY OR BREAKING THE WINDOW. THIS TAKES TIME AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO A PASSENGER. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY GM AS THEY HAVE MADE MODIFICATION TO THE PART FOR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT HAVE NOT YET MODIFIED THE PART FOR THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. SOME DRIVERS ARE NOW REPORTING THAT THE FRONT DOORS ARE ALSO AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. EACH PART IS APPROXIMATELY $175.00 OR $700 FOR ALL DOORS AFFECTED AND PROBABLY THAT MUCH AGAIN IN LABOR COSTS. OTHER COMPLAINTS AND INCIDENTS CAN BE FOUND BY SEARCHING THE SUBJECT ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435291

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility

FOR A FEW DAYS I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A BURNING SMELL IN MY CAR. I NOTICED THAT MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH I CAME UP ON A POSTING AT THE NAIOA WEBSITE WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING A CONNECTION BURN UP IN THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL WITH PICTURES POSTED. I WENT AND LOOKED AT MY CAR AND THE CO…

Read full complaint

FOR A FEW DAYS I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A BURNING SMELL IN MY CAR. I NOTICED THAT MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH I CAME UP ON A POSTING AT THE NAIOA WEBSITE WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING A CONNECTION BURN UP IN THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL WITH PICTURES POSTED. I WENT AND LOOKED AT MY CAR AND THE CONNECTOR WAS BURNT AND MELTED JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE'S IN THE FORUM POSTING. THIS IS A CONNECTOR WITH MANY WIRES IN IT, AND I THINK COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD OR SAFETY HAZARD ON THE VEHICLE IF THE OTHER WIRES BURNED OR SHORTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434805

55,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Electrical System

ALL 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAVE GONE OUT, WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER, WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER 3 YEARS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, AFTER DEALING WITH GM FOR OVER A WEEK, THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF. BUT COME ON WHY SHOULD I GIVE THEM 450$ TO REPAIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT WHICH ARE A SAFE…

Read full complaint

ALL 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAVE GONE OUT, WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER, WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER 3 YEARS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, AFTER DEALING WITH GM FOR OVER A WEEK, THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF. BUT COME ON WHY SHOULD I GIVE THEM 450$ TO REPAIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT WHICH ARE A SAFETY CONCERN, MY CHILD SAFETY LOCKS DO NOT WORK, I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR WHEN I GO IN PLACES FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IN, THESE DOORS WERE NOT MISTREATED TO CAUSE THIS AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM, I WAS EVEN TOLD THIS BY A GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE WARRANTY OR NOT, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS SO I HAVE TO PRAY THAT NOTHING HAPPENS TO MY KIDS WHILE I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10414785

63,164 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA GEARSHIFT COULD NOT BE MOVED FROM "PARK". TOWED TO DON BROWN CHEVROLET (AFTER TOW DRIVER DISCONNECTED SHIFT LINKAGE). DIAGNOSED AS "TEST AND TRACE GROUND CIRCUIT TO BROKEN WIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE". TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGER WHO REPORTED THAT TECHNICIAN STATED WIRES MOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED WHICH LIK…

Read full complaint

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA GEARSHIFT COULD NOT BE MOVED FROM "PARK". TOWED TO DON BROWN CHEVROLET (AFTER TOW DRIVER DISCONNECTED SHIFT LINKAGE). DIAGNOSED AS "TEST AND TRACE GROUND CIRCUIT TO BROKEN WIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE". TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGER WHO REPORTED THAT TECHNICIAN STATED WIRES MOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED WHICH LIKELY CAUSED WIRE TO BREAK SEPARATE. POTENTIAL FOR DRIVER TO BE "STUCK" IN PARK IN A RISKY / UNSAFE SITUATION EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370441

28,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. HE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE ELECTRONIC FOB. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE FOB SO HE HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. UPON OPENING THE DOOR HE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND A FLAME IGNITED IN THE CENTER O…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. HE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE ELECTRONIC FOB. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE FOB SO HE HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. UPON OPENING THE DOOR HE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND A FLAME IGNITED IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. HE CLOSED THE DOOR AND THE FLAME EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE SO THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE POLICE DID NOT APPEAR ON THE SCENE BUT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10354440

71,662 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherCrash

MY 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS RECENTLY TOTALED, ON STAR HAD DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE APP SENSOR, THIS WAS CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, THE CAR IS NOW IN POSSESSION OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY I HAD CALLED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS TOLD TO CALL CHEVY, THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY NUMBE…

Read full complaint

MY 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS RECENTLY TOTALED, ON STAR HAD DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE APP SENSOR, THIS WAS CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, THE CAR IS NOW IN POSSESSION OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY I HAD CALLED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS TOLD TO CALL CHEVY, THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY NUMBER I HAVE . THEY ARE TO DISPOSE OF THIS CAR , THERE IS TOO MUCH DATA HERE TO NOT HAVE TURNED OVER TO CHEVY AND OR NHTSB , ESPECIALLY SINCE ONSTAR ALSO RECORDED THE CROSS AND THE DRIVER ONLY HAD A KNEE INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340953

54,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH , SHE BEGAN REDUCING SPEED AS SHE APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL. THE "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH , SHE BEGAN REDUCING SPEED AS SHE APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL. THE "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER TO THE POINT OF ALMOST STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ADS SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SECOND TIME TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND NOT THE ADS SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 8/2/10 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR DOOR LOCK DIDN'T WORK. UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10339483

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

MY VEHICLE I PURCHASES FRO THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSEDLY IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. NOT UNTIL I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES, CA. I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY. THE ENGINE IS TO DROP DOWN FROM A 8CYCL TO A 6CYCL WHEN IT IS IN OVERDRIVE (60+MPH). (THIS IS CALLED 'ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.) MY ENGINE WOULD NOT DUE THA…

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE I PURCHASES FRO THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSEDLY IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. NOT UNTIL I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES, CA. I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY. THE ENGINE IS TO DROP DOWN FROM A 8CYCL TO A 6CYCL WHEN IT IS IN OVERDRIVE (60+MPH). (THIS IS CALLED 'ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.) MY ENGINE WOULD NOT DUE THAT. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL DEALERS BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID "IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM AN AUCTION". I FEEL THEIR WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DEALER INSPECTION CHECKLIST WAS DATED 3/26/2008. THE CAR WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING IT AS A USED VEHICLE. THE ODOMETER READING WAS 12410 ON 5/17/2008. I FEEL THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE "SAFETY". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311792

40 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Electrical System

08 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN WIRES IN THE ENGINE WRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281365

6,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009
Electrical System

WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW APPROX 20 DEGREES F AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEMS DON'T FUNCTION UNLESS I HOLD THE TRANSMITTER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. IN WARMER WEATHER, THE SYSTEM WORKS FROM DISTANCES GREATER THAN 50 FEET. IT HAS BEEN T…

Read full complaint

WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW APPROX 20 DEGREES F AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEMS DON'T FUNCTION UNLESS I HOLD THE TRANSMITTER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. IN WARMER WEATHER, THE SYSTEM WORKS FROM DISTANCES GREATER THAN 50 FEET. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM ALREADY AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THUS FAR, THE 2 TRANSMITTERS AND THE RECEIVER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258736

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.