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2009 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

663 reports with mileage · 161 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 232 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports9 fire reports34 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

22 reports
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102,000 miles · Feb 27, 2023
EngineLatches/locks/linkagesSteering

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon open or closing the front driver’s side door, he heard an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a howling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the p…

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The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon open or closing the front driver’s side door, he heard an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a howling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty door actuator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #11509359

105,577 miles · Sep 25, 2018
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO UNLATCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO UNLATCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,577. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11131129

49,000 miles · Dec 22, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10937071

40,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. IN ADDITION, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. IN ADDITION, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS UNLOCKED RANDOMLY. UPDATED 10/25/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10894167

60,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10873959

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10783355

42,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR KEY FOB FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WEEKS LATER, THE BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR KEY FOB FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WEEKS LATER, THE BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSES AS DIS-FUNCTIONAL LOCK ACTUATORS. UPDATED 06/18/15

NHTSA ODI #10712402

60,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK THAT WOULD NOT UNLOCK ALL THE TIME AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LOCK STARTED TO BE INTERMITTENT BUT AS OF FEBRUARY 2015, NEITHER WILL AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK EVEN USING THE DOOR HANDLE. WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND UNLOCK. ONCE UNLOCKED THEY THEN RARELY LOCK WITH THE KEY F…

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AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK THAT WOULD NOT UNLOCK ALL THE TIME AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LOCK STARTED TO BE INTERMITTENT BUT AS OF FEBRUARY 2015, NEITHER WILL AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK EVEN USING THE DOOR HANDLE. WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND UNLOCK. ONCE UNLOCKED THEY THEN RARELY LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM, IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE NOR WOULD FIRST RESPONDERS BE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTRICATE ANY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT. THIS WORRIES US AS WE DO TAKE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT. IF THERE WAS A CHILD OR INFANT, IT WOULD BE HORRIFIC WE HAVE FRIENDS WITH A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THEIR REAR LOCKS ARE INTERMITTENT AND ONE IS GETTING WORSE. I WILL BET THERE A NUMBER OF CARS JUST LIKE OURS. I HAVE HAD CARS AS LONG AS 15YRS AND NEVER HAD A DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CAR THAT IS 31 YRS OLD AND THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FAIL - AND IT IS A CHEVROLET ALSO. THE DEALER HAS TOLD US OUR CAR IS NOW ALMOST 6 YRS OLD AND THAT WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED. WE THINK IT IS A DEFICIT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE DOOR LOCKS AND THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD PAY FOR IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOME CHILD GETS KILLED OR ADULTS GET TRAPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704556

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES HE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DOOR LOCK ACTIVATOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS.

NHTSA ODI #10638945

89,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGERS HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEIR DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGERS HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEIR DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $300.00 PER DOOR. UPDATED 5/5/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10639963

Official recalls

5

16V507000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Electrical System:wiring

Jul 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.

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.

10V480000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

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.

08V517000 · Air Bags:frontal

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.