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
What owners actually said
810 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/17/2014*LJ UPDATED 4/29/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD WAIT FOR THE FIRE TO DISSOLVE BEFORE NOTIFYING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD WAIT FOR THE FIRE TO DISSOLVE BEFORE NOTIFYING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO DISSOLVE AND THERE WAS NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR WIRING CONNECTION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE BELTWAY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE NOTIFICATION LIGHT SAID THAT THE ENGINE SPEED WAS REDUCED CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. I COULDN'T GO PAST 40 MPH. I MADE IT TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR. I WENT BACK 8 AND HALF HOURS LATER THINKING IT WASN'T GOING TO START OR …
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE BELTWAY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE NOTIFICATION LIGHT SAID THAT THE ENGINE SPEED WAS REDUCED CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. I COULDN'T GO PAST 40 MPH. I MADE IT TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR. I WENT BACK 8 AND HALF HOURS LATER THINKING IT WASN'T GOING TO START OR I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET HOME. I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS FINE. I HAVEN'T HAD THE ISSUE SINCE. OF COURSE I RESEARCHED AND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A RECALL. IT IS A SHAME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO FIX THINGS THAT MANY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH. APPARENTLY, IT IS THE TRAVEL PEDAL SENSOR. SO NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE TRAVEL PEDAL SENSOR AND GET THE KEY FROM BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. ANOTHER COMPLAINT MADE TODAY BY SEPARATE ENTRY. *TR
THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THIS WAS AT 10:15PM 9/25/14. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF, I TURNED OFF THE RADIO, LIGHTS, AIR AND ANYTHING ELSE I THOUGHT WOULD KILL THE BATTERY. I REMOVED THE KEY FOB AND LOCKED MY VEHICLE. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AT 5AM THINKING THE CAR WOULDN'T START BUT THANKFULLY IT DID. I DROVE TO…
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THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THIS WAS AT 10:15PM 9/25/14. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF, I TURNED OFF THE RADIO, LIGHTS, AIR AND ANYTHING ELSE I THOUGHT WOULD KILL THE BATTERY. I REMOVED THE KEY FOB AND LOCKED MY VEHICLE. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AT 5AM THINKING THE CAR WOULDN'T START BUT THANKFULLY IT DID. I DROVE TO WORK AND NOW I AM WORRIED THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD WHEN I RETURN TO IT TO GO HOME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT JACK WINEGARDINER CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE COULD BE A DEAD BATTERY, NOT SO, I CAN START AND DRIVE THE CAR JUST FINE. WHEN I ASKED WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE, COULD IT POSSIBLY BE THE RECALL 14299, HE SAID NO. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THEIR IS NO RECALL FOR THAT MA'AM AND THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. REALLY, I HAD ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE CARD JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHICH I WILL REPORT IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT. BUT IN SHORT THE CAR HAD REDUCED POWER AND TRACTION WAS SUPPOSEDLY AFFECTED. TURNED THE CAR OF AND WENT IN TO WORK, WENT BACK TO GO HOME AND IT HAS BEEN FINE EVER SINCE. THIS CAR IS BECOMING UNRELIABLE. I USED TO LOVE MY CAR, NOW, I DON'T THINK I WILL BUY ANOTHER CHEVY, EVER! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
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.