IllustrationWITHOUT WARNING, AN ENGINE POWER REDUCED NOTICE APPEARS, AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO UNDER 20 MPH. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
11125–50K
14950–75K
11675–100K
141100–150K
59150K+
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
Engine complaints
134 reportsTHIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND LUCKILY NOT WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. I AM GETTING A TRACTION CONTROL LOSS WITH REDUCED POWER LIGHT ON THAT ACTUALLY POWERS DOWN THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CLEAR THE LIGHT AND IT WORKS O.K. BUT THAT IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE…
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND LUCKILY NOT WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. I AM GETTING A TRACTION CONTROL LOSS WITH REDUCED POWER LIGHT ON THAT ACTUALLY POWERS DOWN THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CLEAR THE LIGHT AND IT WORKS O.K. BUT THAT IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND WHY HAS GM DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS? SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE OR SERIOUSLY BECOME INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECT, I HOPE TO GOD IT IS NOT ME!!! THIS IS REALLY A PROBLEM IF YOU ARE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE AND SPEED AND THE ENGINE DECIDES TO POWER DOWN. I WANT THIS ADDRESSED ASAP BEFORE WE ARE READING AND HEARING ABOUT ANOTHER FATALITY AT THE HANDS OF GM!!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 80 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 80 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED NECK, AND WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED NECK, AND WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY. WITH OUT WARNING MY STEERING LOCKS UP, MY BATTERY LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHTS TURN ON. ALONG WITH THIS MY CARS TEMP GOES THROUGH THE ROOF. THIS IS HAPPENING AT 65 MPH ITS 3 AM I CAN NO LONGER SEE OR CONTROL MY VEHICLE. THANKS TO MY SKILLED DRIVING I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR …
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I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY. WITH OUT WARNING MY STEERING LOCKS UP, MY BATTERY LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHTS TURN ON. ALONG WITH THIS MY CARS TEMP GOES THROUGH THE ROOF. THIS IS HAPPENING AT 65 MPH ITS 3 AM I CAN NO LONGER SEE OR CONTROL MY VEHICLE. THANKS TO MY SKILLED DRIVING I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR I'VE HAD A PROFESSIONAL LOOK AT IT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT DO OVER THAN REPLACE PARTS AND DO TRIAL AND ERROR. IM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE EVERY TIME I DRIVE IN THE RAIN BUT ITS NOT ME THAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GET HURT OR KILLED DUE TO MY STEERING LOCKING UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
I WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAR SHUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A FEW OCCASIONS. MORE RECENTLY, AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR CRANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR CRANKS AND AFTER SOME TIME HAS PASSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHUTS O…
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I WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAR SHUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A FEW OCCASIONS. MORE RECENTLY, AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR CRANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR CRANKS AND AFTER SOME TIME HAS PASSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHUTS OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION 1 SWITCH CIRCUIT 2 (CODE P1682). *TR
I WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAR SHUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A FEW OCCASIONS. MORE RECENTLY, AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR CRANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR CRANKS AND AFTER SOME TIME HAS PASSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHUTS O…
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I WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAR SHUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A FEW OCCASIONS. MORE RECENTLY, AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR CRANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR CRANKS AND AFTER SOME TIME HAS PASSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHUTS OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION 1 SWITCH CIRCUIT 2 (CODE P1682). *TR
Official recalls
214V355000 · 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
1DP14001 · 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.