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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

Power Train complaints

91 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT WHO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HER 2008 IMPALA, SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS SHE BELIEVES WERE ALL PART OF A RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 1, 2014, SHE HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON …

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LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT WHO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HER 2008 IMPALA, SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS SHE BELIEVES WERE ALL PART OF A RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 1, 2014, SHE HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH THAT READ THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 19, 2014. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RE-START, ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER WAS RE-PROGRAMMED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10682289

85,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SPEED UP WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. IT WILL THEN SUDDENLY REV UP AND TAKE OFF OR THE WHEELS WILL SPIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. IT WORKS FINE IF SHIFTED MANUALLY. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS AND NOT KNOWING IF…

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THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SPEED UP WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. IT WILL THEN SUDDENLY REV UP AND TAKE OFF OR THE WHEELS WILL SPIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. IT WORKS FINE IF SHIFTED MANUALLY. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS AND NOT KNOWING IF THERE WILL BE ANY POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE SUDDEN JERK IS HARD TO DEAL WITH IN THE WISCONSIN SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679482

182,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

ON THIS DAY I WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED, CLIMATE AND ROADWAY WAS DRY AND FREE OF DEBRIS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. TODAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 WHILE OPERATING UNDER NORMAL SPEED AND DRY CLIMATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH HAS…

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ON THIS DAY I WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED, CLIMATE AND ROADWAY WAS DRY AND FREE OF DEBRIS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. TODAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 WHILE OPERATING UNDER NORMAL SPEED AND DRY CLIMATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH HAS REMAINED ON SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT. THE CAR BEGAN JERKING AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT A RATE OF 40MPH. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME, HOWEVER THANKFULLY MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. I SHUT THE CAR OFF IN HOPES THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD RESET, BUT THEY DID NOT. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND IN MY OPINION THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS AND SEE THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH MANY IMPALA OWNERS. A FEW EVEN STATED THEY HAD WRECKED THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN WHILE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? I SEE REPORTS DATING BACK TO 2010. THE SAME DANGER THAT WARRANTED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL IS HAPPENING IN THESE CASES AS WELL, THESE CARS ARE SHUTTING OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670343

90,066 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V377000 (SUSPENSION) AND 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V377000 (SUSPENSION) AND 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,066.

NHTSA ODI #10643851

27,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/15

NHTSA ODI #10641739

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 20 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER SHIFTED OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 20 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER SHIFTED OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PAM

NHTSA ODI #10640615

66,460 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,460.

NHTSA ODI #10639343

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10638868

94,029 miles · Sep 11, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO MOVE FROM THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WIRING WAS FRACTURED AND NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO MOVE FROM THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WIRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,029. UPDATED 10/22/14*CN UPDATED 4/7/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10632419

100,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626989

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.