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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
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

80,000 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH THREE DIFFERENT TIRES PLACED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH THREE DIFFERENT TIRES PLACED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10553996

80,000 miles · Oct 31, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

WHENEVER IT IS RAINING OR I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE GROUND, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER. I'VE CONCLUDED THAT THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF SERPENTINE BELT ISSUE AS A LOT OF COMPONENTS ARE AFFECTED AT ONCE SUCH AS ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING ETC. THIS IS EXTREMELY …

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WHENEVER IT IS RAINING OR I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE GROUND, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER. I'VE CONCLUDED THAT THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF SERPENTINE BELT ISSUE AS A LOT OF COMPONENTS ARE AFFECTED AT ONCE SUCH AS ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING ETC. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION AS ONSET IS UNPREDICTABLE ESPECIALLY IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS SUCH AS RAINING AND FOR THIS REASON I DREAD DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT RAINS. PLEASE SOMEONE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550413

128,080 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Steering

DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE I LOST MY POWER STEERING ,HAPPENS EVERYTIME I HIT WATER, IT HAS ALSO LOCKED UP ON ME A COUPLE TIMES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550257

24,000 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Wheels

THE INCIDENT DATE ABOVE IS APPROXIMATE BUT THE FIRST EVENT WITH A TIRE CENTER WAS A SATURDAY IN MARCH 2011. (ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE HAD BEEN ON-GOING DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE WARRANTY.) THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE TIRE AND SERVICES, STAFFORD, VA. THE TIRE HAD BEE…

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THE INCIDENT DATE ABOVE IS APPROXIMATE BUT THE FIRST EVENT WITH A TIRE CENTER WAS A SATURDAY IN MARCH 2011. (ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE HAD BEEN ON-GOING DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE WARRANTY.) THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE TIRE AND SERVICES, STAFFORD, VA. THE TIRE HAD BEEN LOSING PRESSURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, ON FEB. 1, 2012, MY FRIEND TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER TIRE SERVICE CENTER ALONG GARRISONVILLE ROAD, STAFFORD, VA, WHERE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN PROVIDED COPIES OF GM BULLETIN # 05-03-10-003F: LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LEAKING CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS (REPAIR WITH ADHESIVE SEALANT) - (APR 27, 2010) AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. ON FEB 2, 2012, RADLEY CHEVROLET, FREDERICKSBURG, VA, (RADLEY) FOUND THAT "THE LEFT REAR RIM IS LEAKING AIR" AND "FOUND INNER RIM LEAKING AIR ON BEAD." THE TECHNICIAN FOLLOWED #05-03-10-003F AND VERIFIED THE REPAIR. ON SEPT 12, 2012, RADLEY'S TECH "FOUND AFTER LETTING RIM SIT IN TANK FOR PERIOD OF TIME - VERY SMALL LEAK COMING FROM INSIDE OF CAST ALUMINUM WHEEL . . . " ON OCT. 11, 2012, RADLEY CLEANED THE CORROSION FROM THE WHEELS AND ADDED ADHESIVE SEALANT. THE TIRE CONTINUED TO LEAK. ON OCT. 22, 2013, OURISMAN CHEVROLET, ALEXANDRIA, VA, FOUND "ONGOING LOSS OF AIR FROM TIRES - POSSIBLE BEAD CORROSION; CAUSE OF AIR LOSS FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL SMALL LEAK THREW [SIC] RIM IN WHERE RIM HAS OXIDIZED [SIC] ...OTHER WHEELS SHOWING SAME OXIDIZED [SIC] MARKS." GM AGREED TO PAY 60% OF THE COST OF ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT $330.28. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED TO GM THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS BE REPLACED FOR $1088.73. GM AUTHORIZED REPLACING ONE WHEEL. GM'S #05-03-10-003F APPLIES TO ALL PRIOR YEARS OF ALL PASSENGER CARS & LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. GM MUST RESOLVE THIS LONG-STANDING DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD PAY TO REPLACE ALL OF MY WHEELS AT ITS SOLE EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549555

120,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10549227

63,000 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Steering

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE STEERING WHEEL CLUNKS. ALSO WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL YOU FEEL A CLUNK. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS ISSUE HAVE HAD CAR LOOKED AT AND PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547560

136,000 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Electrical System

ALARM/SECURITY SYSTEM IS PREVENTING CAR TO START. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE ALARM/SECURITY SYSTEM, BUT MULTIPLE OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED ABOUT THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547391

126,000 miles · Oct 7, 2013
EquipmentSteering

DRIVING MY CAR OVER A WATER PUDDLE THE STEERING QUIT WORKING FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 SECONDS , THIS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547148

100,000 miles · Oct 5, 2013
Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, CAN'T PINPOINT WHAT WOULD TRIGGER THIS. OCCURS EVERY WEEK SINCE APRIL 2013. SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546830

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.