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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

What owners actually said

810 reports
90,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE POWER BEING REDUCED DUE TO CODE 2135, IT'S A THROTTLE POSITION PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED MAYBE 50-100 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I CAN CLEAN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND IT'LL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE CAR'S POWER IS REDUCED SO QU…

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I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE POWER BEING REDUCED DUE TO CODE 2135, IT'S A THROTTLE POSITION PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED MAYBE 50-100 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I CAN CLEAN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND IT'LL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE CAR'S POWER IS REDUCED SO QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY ON FREEWAYS. I'VE NEARLY BEEN REARENDED A FEW TIMES NOW. I'VE COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET AND THEY ONLY SAY THERE ISN'T A RECALL AND TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY'D CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH IS WHAT I AM DOING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, THIS IS A VERY DEADLY PROBLEM THAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS. IT'S NOT THE CONSUMER'S FAULT AT ALL. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586761

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2014
Electrical System

ON FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014, I WENT AND BOUGHT $72 WORTH OF GROCERIES, ALL BUT $10 WERE FROZEN OR COLD AND IT WAS ABOUT 80 DEGREES OUTSIDE. WHEN I GOT HOME AND WENT TO TAKE THE GROCERIES OUT OF THE TRUNK THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET IT OPEN THEY COULD NOT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY LOOKED…

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ON FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014, I WENT AND BOUGHT $72 WORTH OF GROCERIES, ALL BUT $10 WERE FROZEN OR COLD AND IT WAS ABOUT 80 DEGREES OUTSIDE. WHEN I GOT HOME AND WENT TO TAKE THE GROCERIES OUT OF THE TRUNK THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET IT OPEN THEY COULD NOT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP ONLINE AND SAID IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT/RECALL AND THAT IF I TOOK IT TO AN ACTUAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, SATURDAY MAY 3, 2014, THEY SAID THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE MY CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE. I FEEL LIKE CHEVY SHOULD STILL PAY FOR IT AND REIMBURSE ME FOR MY GROCERIES THAT I LOST. IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AND IT IS ALSO NOT MY FAULT THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER EITHER 1) DID NOT TURN THE RECALL IN OR 2) DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586521

94,658 miles · May 3, 2014
Electrical System

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WON'T COME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586360

109,890 miles · May 2, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE STALLS OUT. FOR EXAMPLE AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CARS STALLS AND WON'T PICK UP SPEED, IT THEN JERKS HARD AND DRIVE AS USUAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586095

30,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WERE BOTH UNABLE TO LOCATE THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WERE BOTH UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586004

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVEY IMPALA LT. THE FAILURE OCCURED APRIL 2014. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND YOU HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CONTACT BRAKES FAILED AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE, PREVENTING HER FROM STOPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY IGNITION FAILED. THE C…

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TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVEY IMPALA LT. THE FAILURE OCCURED APRIL 2014. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND YOU HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CONTACT BRAKES FAILED AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE, PREVENTING HER FROM STOPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY IGNITION FAILED. THE CURRENT MILLAGE IS 109,000. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10585318

61,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DROVE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DROVE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10584605

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2014
EnginePower TrainSuspension

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT 2007, AND IN SEPT 2009, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER 100% WARRANTY AND SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED A FOR A SECOND TIME, AND L…

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2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT 2007, AND IN SEPT 2009, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER 100% WARRANTY AND SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED A FOR A SECOND TIME, AND LASTED UNTIL MARCH 2014. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR A 3RD TIME AND IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN 7 YEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE FROM A STOP. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED ENGINE MOUNT AND STABILIZER LINKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10583794

8,700 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I DRIVE THE CAR AND IT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED STABILATRAK IT SLOWS DOWN AND IT FEELS FORCED TO DRIVE SO I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAIT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND IT STARTS BUT THEN IT GOT TO THE POINT WERE IT WASN'T EVEN DRIVABLE WITH IT STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED STABILATRAK SO I CALLED CHEVY IN MODESTO CA ASKED IF T…

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I DRIVE THE CAR AND IT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED STABILATRAK IT SLOWS DOWN AND IT FEELS FORCED TO DRIVE SO I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAIT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND IT STARTS BUT THEN IT GOT TO THE POINT WERE IT WASN'T EVEN DRIVABLE WITH IT STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED STABILATRAK SO I CALLED CHEVY IN MODESTO CA ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO AND I TOLD THEM I SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I WAS GOING THROUGH THEY SAID YOU CANT BELIEVE EVERYTHING ONLINE MISS I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE A MECHANIC I KNOW HE DIAGNOSED IT AS BEING A THROTTLE SENSOR AND PEDAL SENSOR CHARGED ME 587$ I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED A WEEK LATER IT DID AGAIN ENGINE POWER REDUCED BUT THIS TIME IT STARTED OVER HEATING TO IVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMBS WITH THIS CAR IVE ALSO CHANGED THE TIRES NUMEROUS TIMES THE SENSOR FOR TIRES IS ALWAYS LIGHTHING UP AND SAYING CHECK LEFT FRONT TIRE OR BACK TIRE I TAKE IT TO THE TIRE SHOP THEY SAY TIRES ARE FINE BUT THE BACK ONES NEED TO BE CHANGED I CHANGE THE BACK TIRES IT STILL SAYS CHECK BACK TIRES IVE ALSO HAD THE SUSPENSION FIXED A FEW TIMES WHEN ITSWINDY I FEEL THE CAR MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE I ALSO HAVE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED NOWIT HAS HAS 2 BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ALL IN ALL THE PAST 2 TO 3 YEARS I HAVE PAYED 4 TO 6,000 IN REPAIR AND ITSSTILL RUNNING LIKE WITH IT STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED STABILATRAK I NEED MY VEHICLETO BEFIXED OF THIS PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10583014

103,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER IS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH THROTTLE DISABLED MESSAGE, ENGINE SHUTS OFF, MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CAR RESTARTS AFTER APPROX. 15 MIN AND DISPLAYS ORANGE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO WEBBS TEXACO IN LAKELAND, FL AND THEY SAY IT HAS A BAD ECM. PR…

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WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER IS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH THROTTLE DISABLED MESSAGE, ENGINE SHUTS OFF, MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CAR RESTARTS AFTER APPROX. 15 MIN AND DISPLAYS ORANGE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO WEBBS TEXACO IN LAKELAND, FL AND THEY SAY IT HAS A BAD ECM. PREVIOUSLY SHUT OFF AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578239

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.