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2008 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

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

58 reports
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72,424 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) ON A TWO LANE ROAD. TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING, NO ICE OR SNOW. SUDDENLY A BELL SOUNDED, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" BLINKED ON THE DISPLAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED POWER, AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" DISPLAYED ALTERNATELY WITH THE "SERVICE …

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I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) ON A TWO LANE ROAD. TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING, NO ICE OR SNOW. SUDDENLY A BELL SOUNDED, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" BLINKED ON THE DISPLAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED POWER, AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" DISPLAYED ALTERNATELY WITH THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNING. I WAS SCARED, BUT HAD ABOUT 8 MILES TO DRIVE TO MY HOME TOWN. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AT ABOUT 40 MPH, TURNED ON MY FLASHERS, AND CONTINUED ON TO MY HOME. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH ICE ON THE ROAD, AS THERE HAD BEEN THAT MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, A CRASH WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE OCCURRED AS THESE ROADS ARE VERY SLIPPERY IN WINTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556167

5,200 miles · Nov 28, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CARS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SO DOES THE ABS BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. THE CAR THEN REDUCES POWER TO NO MORE THEN 35-40 MPH AND THAT'S WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE HARNESS, AND WHEEL HUB AND IT STILL HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IN VERY DANGEROU…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CARS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SO DOES THE ABS BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. THE CAR THEN REDUCES POWER TO NO MORE THEN 35-40 MPH AND THAT'S WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE HARNESS, AND WHEEL HUB AND IT STILL HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE WHILE DRIVING ON A HWY WITH A TRUCK BEHIND YOU AND THE CAR GOES FROM 60 MPH TO 40 MPH IN A HEART BEAT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS A COMMON ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH GM CARS IN 2006-2009. THE ONLY PART LEFT TO CHANGE WOULD BE THE COMPUTER MODULATOR, HOWEVER TALKING TO OTHER GM OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554066

58,000 miles · Jul 21, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A MILE. HAD SHORT BURSTS OF REDUCTION IN POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN T…

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STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A MILE. HAD SHORT BURSTS OF REDUCTION IN POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525960

55,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD ON A BUSY ROAD. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM, MY MECHANIC CLEANED CONNECTIONS ON THE PEDAL RELAY. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THIS PAST SATURDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING A CO…

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A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD ON A BUSY ROAD. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM, MY MECHANIC CLEANED CONNECTIONS ON THE PEDAL RELAY. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THIS PAST SATURDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE REPAIRS TO FIX THIS ISSUE WILL RUN CLOSE TO $1,000. I HAVE ALSO READ MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET INDICATING THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH IMPALA'S. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524817

70,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER REDUCTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521702

135,007 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

ON JUNE 22, 2012 AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH. I KNOW MY CAR SLOWED DOWN A LOT AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED AGAIN. I NOTICE THAT EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE PETAL TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD. I DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH O…

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ON JUNE 22, 2012 AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH. I KNOW MY CAR SLOWED DOWN A LOT AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED AGAIN. I NOTICE THAT EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE PETAL TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD. I DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH OF IT UNTIL MY HUSBAND THEN DROVE IT AND SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING REALLY ROUGH. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THAT LOTS OF CHEVY OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ENFORCE A RECALL AS THIS IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521299

95,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 1/2 AND NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I START EXPERIENCING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR - WHICH ALTERNATIVELY REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE; IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY,... I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE CAR, AND THEY READER S…

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I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 1/2 AND NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I START EXPERIENCING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR - WHICH ALTERNATIVELY REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE; IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY,... I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE CAR, AND THEY READER SAID IT WAS DUE TO A CYLINDER 5 MISFIRE.... MY CAR IS A 6 CYLINDER, IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WHEN THE (TCS) DOES COME ON' THE REDUCE ENGINE SPEED IS WELL UNDER THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT. OTHER CONCERNS THAT ARISE IS THAT SENSE THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN OWN, IT' HAS ACCUMULATED OTHER SENSORS' (ABS) (!) AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS, AND WAS ADVISE THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE DANGER, AS THIS IS A COMMONLY USED CAR IN THE U.S & IF THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THUS FAR OVER THE SAME ISSUE, WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? WHAT IF YOU'VE WORKED HARD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE YOU WANT;& HAVE TO PAY OUT OF COST; OTHER THAN BASIC MAINTENANCE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513900

71,009 miles · May 14, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)StructureVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE . I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNINGS CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN OVER 50 MPH. THIS IS ON A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME …

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I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE . I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNINGS CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN OVER 50 MPH. THIS IS ON A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON ,THEY JUST AS QUICKLY TURN OFF AND ON AGAIN. THE CAR SHOOK AND THE THROTTLE WAS A BIT OFF. IT WAS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT AND IT IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT.AS OF TODAY, THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I HAVE DEALT WITH "REDUCED ENGINE POWER"/"SERVICE STABILITRAK". SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. INSTEAD OF BEING SCARED OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, I'M FEARFUL I WILL BE THE ONE CAUSING THE PILE UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511828

89,998 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN MY IMPALA FIRST STARTED TO DISPLAY THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE MESSAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SO I CHANGE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN MY CAR CUT OFF ONE DAY AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT CHECK THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNAT…

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WHEN MY IMPALA FIRST STARTED TO DISPLAY THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE MESSAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SO I CHANGE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN MY CAR CUT OFF ONE DAY AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT CHECK THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNATOR AND THEN IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEN THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT MY CAR IS NOW PARK AND REFUSE TO STAY RUNNING. IT WILL START ONLY TO CUT OFF A MILE OR SO INTO DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507376

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE CAR IS ALWAYS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND IT ALMOST CAUSED AN INCIDENT FROM SHUTTING DOWN ON SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL FOR NO REASON. TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS JUST A MALFUNCTION AND WANT TO CHARGE MONEY NOT EVEN SURE WHAT IT IS. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW SAY IT THE COMPUTER…

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THE CAR IS ALWAYS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND IT ALMOST CAUSED AN INCIDENT FROM SHUTTING DOWN ON SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL FOR NO REASON. TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS JUST A MALFUNCTION AND WANT TO CHARGE MONEY NOT EVEN SURE WHAT IT IS. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW SAY IT THE COMPUTER AND IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THIS IS UNSAFE ALMOST GOT REAR END. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507193

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.