NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
810 reports10,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE REAR SPINDLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT 17,000 IN SEPTEMBER 2009. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES HAD WORN, A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE REAR SPINDLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT 17,000 IN SEPTEMBER 2009. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES HAD WORN, AND THAT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT COULD WEAR EASILY AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 08/22/11*LJ UPDATED 3/06/2012 *LN
NHTSA ODI #10410942
20,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-25 MPH, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FOUR TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED BOTH REAR TIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-25 MPH, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FOUR TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED BOTH REAR TIRES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INNER TREAD ON BOTH REAR TIRES EXHIBITED AN UNEVEN PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE SPINDLE RODS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410813
30,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRE HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A FAULTY REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHICH STATED, THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED AND A WHEEL AL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRE HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A FAULTY REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHICH STATED, THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410771
30,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM UNCONTROLLABLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHEN DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM UNCONTROLLABLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHEN DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SPINDLE ROD WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE TIRES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SPINDLE ROD WOULD WEAR OUT UNEVENLY AND RAPIDLY. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED CAMBER BOLTS TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,0000. UPDATED 08/22/11*LJ UPDATED 3/06/2012 *LN
NHTSA ODI #10410703
55,430 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Suspension
2008 CHEVY IMPALA (OWNED 8/10): 80K GOODYEAR TIRES WORE WITH LESS THAN 10K MILES REPLACED BY CERTIFIED TIRE CENTER 6/11 WITH UNIROYAL TP TOURING 70K, LEFT HUB WORN WITH LESS THAN 1 YEAR OWNERSHIP REPLACED BY DEALER, RIGHT HUB PLAY REFUSAL OF REPLACEMENT BY DEALERSHIP (ALSO 6/11). ALIGNMENTS OFF/ WILL NOT STAY--REPORTS AVAILABLE …
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2008 CHEVY IMPALA (OWNED 8/10): 80K GOODYEAR TIRES WORE WITH LESS THAN 10K MILES REPLACED BY CERTIFIED TIRE CENTER 6/11 WITH UNIROYAL TP TOURING 70K, LEFT HUB WORN WITH LESS THAN 1 YEAR OWNERSHIP REPLACED BY DEALER, RIGHT HUB PLAY REFUSAL OF REPLACEMENT BY DEALERSHIP (ALSO 6/11). ALIGNMENTS OFF/ WILL NOT STAY--REPORTS AVAILABLE FROM DEALER AND CERTIFIED TIRE REPLACEMENT SHOP. WILL NOT GO IN FULL ALIGNMENT, MAY NEED CHAMBER KIT, SPINDLE OUT ON LEFT FRONT (ALSO 6/11). REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK (CAR SEAT SIDE), REPLACED BY DEALER 11/10, AT THIS TIME INABILITY TO MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE AND MISLOCATION OF SENSORS/PRESSURE INDICATORS WAS CORRECTED AS WELL AS ROTATION PER REPEATED COMPLAINT (11/10)---NOTE: WEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED/ DOCUMENTER PER MY COMPLAINT TO DEALER. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK GOING BAD ALSO, REPORTED TO DEALER 7/11. TIRES CONTINUING TO WEAR WITH ALIGNMENT SUSPENSION ISSUES PENDING, DEALERSHIP REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY OR DENYING ISSUE EXISTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410667
68,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND WO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD JERK IN VARIOUS GEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10407683
83,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP, GRINDING/ RATTLING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405305
70,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT BRAKE PULSATES AFTER NORMAL USE WHEN STOPPING. APPEARS THAT THERE ARE HOT SPOTS ON THE ROTORS THAT CAUSE THE THE PADS ON THE FRONT TO GRIP AND RELEASE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION SHUDDER AND UNCONTROABLE STEERING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CAR IS NEW AND DEALER JUST WANTS TO SELL ME ANOTHER …
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2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT BRAKE PULSATES AFTER NORMAL USE WHEN STOPPING. APPEARS THAT THERE ARE HOT SPOTS ON THE ROTORS THAT CAUSE THE THE PADS ON THE FRONT TO GRIP AND RELEASE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION SHUDDER AND UNCONTROABLE STEERING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CAR IS NEW AND DEALER JUST WANTS TO SELL ME ANOTHER BRAKE JOB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401320
65,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Equipment
AFTER PARKING A 2008 IMPALA ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE I TOOK THE LUG NUTS OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE . I THEN PLACED THE JACK (WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE EVER ) UNDER THE PROPER FITTING POINTS AS SHOWN IN THE MANUAL BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. AND JACKED THE CAR UP UNTIL THE TIRE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR. AFTER T…
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AFTER PARKING A 2008 IMPALA ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE I TOOK THE LUG NUTS OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE . I THEN PLACED THE JACK (WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE EVER ) UNDER THE PROPER FITTING POINTS AS SHOWN IN THE MANUAL BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. AND JACKED THE CAR UP UNTIL THE TIRE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR. AFTER THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY OFF I WAS VISUALLY INSPECTING THE BRAKE PADS BUT NOT TOUCHING IT WHEN THE JACK BEGAN TO BREAK OFF FROM THE BASE. AS I MOVED AWAY TO PROTECT MYSELF THE JACK COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE BASE AND THE CAR LANDED ON THE GROUND, BROKEN JACK AND ROTOR . I THEN CALLED AAA WHO TOOK A 3 TON JACK AND INSERTED IT UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND JACKED IT UP ENOUGH TO PUT THE TIRE BACK ON . NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I HAVE CHANGED THE TIRES ON MANY CARS AND TRUCKS. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW WHO WILL BE INSPECTING MY CAR AND HOPEFULLY REPLACING THE JACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401176
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2008 IMPALA LT WITH A GAS GAUGE THAT FAILS ESPECIALLY IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT READS 1/4 FULL WHEN YOU FILL IT AND GOES ABOUT 100 MILES AND READS EMPTY WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON TO GET GAS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER,SAWYERS CHEVROLET TWICE BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING SINCE I HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. …
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I HAVE A 2008 IMPALA LT WITH A GAS GAUGE THAT FAILS ESPECIALLY IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT READS 1/4 FULL WHEN YOU FILL IT AND GOES ABOUT 100 MILES AND READS EMPTY WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON TO GET GAS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER,SAWYERS CHEVROLET TWICE BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING SINCE I HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398404
Official recalls
2Jun 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.
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.
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