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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
75,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED A WARNING THAT STATED ENGINE POWER REDUCED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED A WARNING THAT STATED ENGINE POWER REDUCED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507106

46,000 miles · Mar 27, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE NOT ALIGNED AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHY THE TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY HOWEVER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE NOT ALIGNED AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHY THE TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY HOWEVER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10504755

45,000 miles · Mar 21, 2013
EngineTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND MY CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH ALTERNATELY FLASHED BETWEEN "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." MY CAR SLOWED DOWN, BUT NEVER CUT OFF. MY ACCELERATION WASN'T WHAT IT NORMALLY IS. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DEST…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND MY CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH ALTERNATELY FLASHED BETWEEN "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." MY CAR SLOWED DOWN, BUT NEVER CUT OFF. MY ACCELERATION WASN'T WHAT IT NORMALLY IS. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION, BUT WAS NOT A FUN EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503881

92,334 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW IT DOES NOT RESPOND. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEAS HELP. I…

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THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW IT DOES NOT RESPOND. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEAS HELP. IS THERE ANY WAY A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE RIGHT REAR DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH A KEY BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY HOLE. THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY HOLE ON TO UNLOCK A DOOR WITH THE CAR KEY AND IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503086

92,578 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

ON MARCH 14, 2013, WE WERE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE MESSAGE CONSOLE THAT READ "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT FIRST, BUT IT THEN RESPONDED AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT STAYED ON. WE TOOK IT…

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ON MARCH 14, 2013, WE WERE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE MESSAGE CONSOLE THAT READ "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT FIRST, BUT IT THEN RESPONDED AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT STAYED ON. WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTOMOBILE PARTS STORE SO THEY COULD PULL THE CODE WITH A CODE READER. THE VEHICLE PARTS STORE WAS ABLE TO PULL A CODE READING P2138 WHICH IS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. LATER ON THAT NIGHT, I WENT ONLINE AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF 2008 CHEVY IMPALAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THE PAST YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA TENDS TO BUCKLE AND JERK OR HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP MAKING DIFFICULT TO NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. IS THERE ANY WAY A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE GAS PEDAL SO THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVE FOR ALL OWNERS OF 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALAS? PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503083

132,678 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK POSITION. WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER POSITION. CHEVROLET MECHANIC FOUND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND MADE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON THE REPAIR ORDER. FOUND THAT SHIFT LOCK CONTROL SOLENOID INOP. FOUND THAT GREEN WIRE MELTED ABOUT 12 INCHES FROM SHIFTER AND ALSO CONNECTOR FOR SHIFT LOCK CONTROL HAD HIGH RES…

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GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK POSITION. WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER POSITION. CHEVROLET MECHANIC FOUND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND MADE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON THE REPAIR ORDER. FOUND THAT SHIFT LOCK CONTROL SOLENOID INOP. FOUND THAT GREEN WIRE MELTED ABOUT 12 INCHES FROM SHIFTER AND ALSO CONNECTOR FOR SHIFT LOCK CONTROL HAD HIGH RESISTANCE.. REPAIR COMMENTED: REPLACED CONNECTOR AND REPAIRED WIRE WORKING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON. ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS INTERNET FORUM COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.. VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. GM SEEMS TO BE AWARE SINCE ABOVE REPAIR IMPLIES A REWORKING DESIGN OF WIRE WORKING.: EVIDENCE OF BURNED WIRE INSIDE A VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502537

62,000 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2008 CHEVY IMPALA. RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT FOLLOWED SUIT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NOW, SOME 5 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER DOOR IS BEHAVING THE SAME WAY. IT MAKES TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE…

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2008 CHEVY IMPALA. RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT FOLLOWED SUIT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NOW, SOME 5 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER DOOR IS BEHAVING THE SAME WAY. IT MAKES TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE THE MENTAL CAPACITY TO REMEMBER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WHICH COULD LEAD TO FURTHER INJURY OR DEATH. WIRING HARNESS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE IS POORLY DESIGNED AND LOCATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WIRING BREAKS AND MAKING IT SO ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEVICES DO NOT DISENGAGE THUS NOT LETTING THE KEY BE REMOVED, THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK, AND OTHER FAILURES YET TO BE IDENTIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502487

53,000 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Suspension

REAR TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE TO THE POINT THAT THE THREAD AND WIRES WERE SHOWING. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IN JULY 2012 HAD TIRES AND SHOCKS REPLACED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. BIG KNOTS WERE ALSO ON THE TIRES AND CAR SHOOK WHEN GOING AT A LOW SPEED. WAS TOLD THAT REAR SUSPENSION WAS MIS…

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REAR TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE TO THE POINT THAT THE THREAD AND WIRES WERE SHOWING. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IN JULY 2012 HAD TIRES AND SHOCKS REPLACED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. BIG KNOTS WERE ALSO ON THE TIRES AND CAR SHOOK WHEN GOING AT A LOW SPEED. WAS TOLD THAT REAR SUSPENSION WAS MISALIGNED AND THAT REAR SHOCKS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. MARCH 2013 TIRES FOUR TIRES REPLACED AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT CAMBER BOLTS WERE NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED GM IN JULY 2012 ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REP STATES THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE ONLY THE POLICE MODELS. THIS IS UNFAIR FOR CONSUMERS TO HAVE TO KEEP BUYING TIRES. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 88560 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502466

150,000 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING INTO AN OVERPASS. AS L ENTERED ONTO THE OVERPASS MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SERVICE THROTTLE BODY DISABLED FLASH ACROSS MY DASH BOARD, KILLING THE POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND LOCKING MY STEERING WHEEL. WHILE I WAS STOPPED UNABLE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE, CARS FLEW ME AND I W…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING INTO AN OVERPASS. AS L ENTERED ONTO THE OVERPASS MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SERVICE THROTTLE BODY DISABLED FLASH ACROSS MY DASH BOARD, KILLING THE POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND LOCKING MY STEERING WHEEL. WHILE I WAS STOPPED UNABLE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE, CARS FLEW ME AND I WAS ALMOST HIT. AT ONE POINT ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRYING TO DODGE ME. THIS WAS THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I HAVE NEVER FEARED FOR MY LIFE LIKE I DID AT THIS TIME. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN MY SITUATION. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR HAS GONE BAD. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND NEEDS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502421

81,000 miles · Mar 11, 2013
EnginePower Train

WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV, THEN IT SLAMS INTO GEAR EVENTUALLY. HAVE ALSO NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER SOMEWHAT. HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. KINDA CRAPPY SINCE THE WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT ON T…

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WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A START THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV, THEN IT SLAMS INTO GEAR EVENTUALLY. HAVE ALSO NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER SOMEWHAT. HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. KINDA CRAPPY SINCE THE WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT ON THE DRIVE TRAIN ABOUT A MONTH AGO. PROBLEM ONLY SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS OF THIS ISSUE ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES THAT USE THE 4T65-HD TRANSMISSION AND THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502369

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.