NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
179 reportsClear category filter83,434 miles · Feb 14, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineTraction Control System
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA LT & WAS DRIVING APROXIMATELY 50MPH DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & ENGINE POWER WILL BE REDUCED MESSAGE CAME ON". THE CARS SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 40MPH & WOULD HARDLY GO. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT REALLY …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA LT & WAS DRIVING APROXIMATELY 50MPH DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & ENGINE POWER WILL BE REDUCED MESSAGE CAME ON". THE CARS SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 40MPH & WOULD HARDLY GO. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. I DID GET TO WORK SAFELY BUT I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I SEARCHED MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET & CAME ACROSS 297 MESSAGES FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN GM VEHICLES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAID THEIR CARS ACTUALLY CUT OFF ON THEM WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ONE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM FROM WHAT I HAVE READ HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OR THROTTLE BODY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS. A COUPLE OF PEOPLE POSTED THAT THEIR LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP COVERED THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEIR CARS WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MYSELF. TO ME, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I COULD HAVE A WRECK & GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A COMPANY WOULD CLEARLY KNOW ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK THAT GM SHOULD COVER THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE AND TO ANY OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498119
40,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT I PURCHASED IN 2010. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CAR BEGAN TO READ CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THEN STALLS AND JERKS WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE COMPUTER CODE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT I PURCHASED IN 2010. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CAR BEGAN TO READ CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THEN STALLS AND JERKS WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE COMPUTER CODE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. I AM PLANNING O TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491436
80,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10491016
27,960 miles · Oct 27, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 9/6/2012 USED WITH 27,479 MILES. ON 9/19/2012 WITH 27,960 MILES, I WAS ACCELERATING ON AN ONRAMP GETTING ON A HIGHWAY AND TWO MESSAGES APPEARED ON MY DASH: "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. EXPERIENCE ROUGH AND HESITANT SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND COULD NO…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 9/6/2012 USED WITH 27,479 MILES. ON 9/19/2012 WITH 27,960 MILES, I WAS ACCELERATING ON AN ONRAMP GETTING ON A HIGHWAY AND TWO MESSAGES APPEARED ON MY DASH: "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. EXPERIENCE ROUGH AND HESITANT SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND COULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35MPH. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE HOME ON SIDE ROADS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS READING CODE P2138 AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WAS COVERED UNDER THE DEALER'S WARRANTY AND I WAS SET TO GO. FLASH FORWARD TO 10/24/2012 WITH 29,355 MILES, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD AND THE SAME MESSAGES CAME UP. I CALLED ON STAR AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPUTER READING CODES P2138 AND C0242. EXPERIENCED OUT OF CONTROL WHEEL SPINNING AND SENSITIVE BRAKING. TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN THE AREA I WAS CURRENTLY IN TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WITH ANY ISSUE. ALL CODES AND LIGHTS WERE NOT ENGAGED. I STILL DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DUE TO PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATOR AND HAD TOWED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER NEAR MY HOME. THEY ALSO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WITH ANY ISSUE AS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ERROR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND A PROBLEM (ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY) WITH A POPULAR MODEL. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM ON THIS ISSUE AND AM HOPING TO HAVE IT RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482428
170,000 miles · Oct 20, 2012
Engine
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY A CHECK TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED ALONG WITH REDUCED ENGINE POWER. AFTER APPROX. 10 MILES THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER WAITING APPROX. 3 MINUTES I WAS ABLE …
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY A CHECK TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED ALONG WITH REDUCED ENGINE POWER. AFTER APPROX. 10 MILES THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER WAITING APPROX. 3 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND WARNING SYSTEM WAS GONE HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481224
87,300 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
AS I WAS DRIVING TO GOLF ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH, ON INTERSTATE I-80 HEADING WEST, MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA ONBOARD COMPUTER STATED THE FOLLOWING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER, STARTER DISABLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE …
Read full complaint
AS I WAS DRIVING TO GOLF ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH, ON INTERSTATE I-80 HEADING WEST, MY 2009 CHEVY IMPALA ONBOARD COMPUTER STATED THE FOLLOWING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER, STARTER DISABLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF HARMS WAY AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CHECKED SOME WIRES UNDER THE HOOD AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING LOOSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BACK-UP, THE ONBOARD COMPUTER FLASHED, STARTER DISABLED. I SAT WITH THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND TRIED ONCE MORE. THIS TIME IT STARTED AND RAN NORMAL, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE WAS ON(STILL IS). HOW SCARY IS THIS REALLY? ENOUGH TO MAKE ME HATE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYWHERE. NOT TO MENTION I'M A SINGLE DAD OF 4, WHO NEEDS TO GET TO WORK, SCHOOL AND MANY OTHER THINGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478435
40,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
EngineTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 AT ABOUT 75MPH, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH," REPAIR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM... ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING". THANKFULLY, I WAS APPROACHING A REST AREA, SO I SAFELY COASTED TO A SECURE AREA. AFTER ESCAPING A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, I RESEARCHED THIS TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ONLY TO DISCOV…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 AT ABOUT 75MPH, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH," REPAIR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM... ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING". THANKFULLY, I WAS APPROACHING A REST AREA, SO I SAFELY COASTED TO A SECURE AREA. AFTER ESCAPING A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, I RESEARCHED THIS TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ONLY TO DISCOVER INNUMERABLE CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED SINCE IT IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM, ONE THAT IS ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF GM AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476908
6,900 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY THEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S RPM STARTED BOUNCING UP AND DOWN FROM TWO AND A HALF TO TWO AND BACK AND FORTH AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND AS WELL AS THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT TURNS ON. I SEE THAT I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL A LOT MORE FURT…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY THEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S RPM STARTED BOUNCING UP AND DOWN FROM TWO AND A HALF TO TWO AND BACK AND FORTH AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND AS WELL AS THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT TURNS ON. I SEE THAT I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL A LOT MORE FURTHER DOWN FOR MY CAR TO STAY AT 60 MPH AND AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS MY CAR'S RPM DROPS TO 0. MY CAR TURNS OFF WITH THE CAR READING STARTER DISABLED AND SERVICE THROTTLE. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THIS INCIDENT HAD MADE ME LATE FOR WORK AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS A LOT NOW. THIS CAN HAPPEN FROM ONCE EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS TO TWICE A WEEK. JUST RECENTLY MY CAR'S SEAT BELTS WILL BECOME UNDONE WITHOUT ANYONE CLICKING THE BUTTON FOR IT TO RELEASE. ALSO RECENTLY MY SERVICE AIRBAGS LIGHT HAS CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464605
48,800 miles · Jun 25, 2012
EngineService Brakes
AFTER BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN, THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS CAME ON: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILATRAK, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. PLUS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FROM THIS AND I DID EXPERIENCE REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THESE WARNINGS REMAINED ON FROM THE ONSET UNTIL THIS MORNING, 06/25/1…
Read full complaint
AFTER BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN, THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS CAME ON: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILATRAK, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. PLUS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED FROM THIS AND I DID EXPERIENCE REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THESE WARNINGS REMAINED ON FROM THE ONSET UNTIL THIS MORNING, 06/25/12, WHEN I CHECKED IT AGAIN. NOW THE WARNINGS ARE NOT THERE. I STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COME BACK ON AND SO FAR, NOTHING. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES PARTICULARLY THIS MODEL. I WANT TO ADD OUR VEHICLE TO THE COMPLAINT LIST DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF DEPENDABILITY OF THE CAR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT.. I HOPE THAT WITH ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED BY GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462999
Official recalls
5Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
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.
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.
Oct 13, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Oct 6, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗