SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE ALONG WITH REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR JERKED/HESITATED UPON STOPPING AND STARTING AT INTERSECTION. REDUCED SPEED AUTOMATICALLY AND COULDNT SPEED UP. *TR
2009 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
130 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO IDLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE ACCELERATION SENSOR NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO IDLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,490.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED 20 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE ACCELERA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED 20 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR, AND FUEL VENT SOLENOID WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER, MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. AS I KEPT DRIVING, I LOST POWER TO MY ENGINE. FINALLY, MY ENGINE WAS DISABLED AND I COULDN'T DRIVE ANYMORE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER 5 MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO START UP MY C…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER, MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. AS I KEPT DRIVING, I LOST POWER TO MY ENGINE. FINALLY, MY ENGINE WAS DISABLED AND I COULDN'T DRIVE ANYMORE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER 5 MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO START UP MY CAR. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT MY CAR STILL KEEPS DOING THIS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL ITS CARS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WITH IT SAYING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ON DISPLAY. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE CAR BEGAN TO START SLOWING DOWN AND I LOST ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING EASILY AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WITH IT SAYING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ON DISPLAY. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE CAR BEGAN TO START SLOWING DOWN AND I LOST ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING EASILY AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES FOR THE PROBLEM TO CLEAR UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE THROTTLE BODY SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AS THE DECREASED POWER ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE POSITIONIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AS THE DECREASED POWER ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
WAS DRIVING CAR AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LOST POWER AND BRAKES. CAR WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT VERY HARD. GLAD NOBODY WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE IT THEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND SENSORS. I DID HAVE IT FIXED BUT HAD TO TAKE IT TO…
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WAS DRIVING CAR AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LOST POWER AND BRAKES. CAR WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT VERY HARD. GLAD NOBODY WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE IT THEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND SENSORS. I DID HAVE IT FIXED BUT HAD TO TAKE IT TO SEVERAL DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR THE THROTTLE BODY.IT WAS THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. *TR
THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2014. AS I WRITE THIS I WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE READ ALL THE BLOGS ON MY COMPLAINTS AND SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE WHICH FORCES ME TO ASK GM WHY IS IT THAT WE ALL SEE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM AND YOU PEOPLE ARE IGNORING IT. SUFFICE TO SAY THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE WOULD BE THE UNDERSTATEMENT O…
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THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2014. AS I WRITE THIS I WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE READ ALL THE BLOGS ON MY COMPLAINTS AND SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE WHICH FORCES ME TO ASK GM WHY IS IT THAT WE ALL SEE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM AND YOU PEOPLE ARE IGNORING IT. SUFFICE TO SAY THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE WOULD BE THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY. WHEN WILL GM STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKE THESE ISSUES A PRIORITY SO THERE CUSTOMERS DON'T HAVE TO WASTE TIME WRITING COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONE. IT'S REALLY VERY SIMPLE MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALONG WITH THE STABILITRAK LIGHT AS WELL AS THE CAR LOSING ALL POWER. NOW IF GM FEELS THIS IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO CREATE A RECALL I FAIL TO SEE WHAT IS. PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND GM DOES NOTHING. ALONG WITH GM BEING AT FAULT THE DEALERSHIPS ARE [XXX] THERE CUSTOMERS WHILE THEY GO THRU A LAUNDRY LIST OF ITEMS THEY THINK MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM FOR THESE CODES. I FOR ONE CANNOT AFFORD THE DEALERSHIP PRICES NOR WILL I PAY THESE SO CALLED EXPERTS GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD TO TRY AND FIX PROBLEMS THAT THEY REALLY HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT'S CAUSING THEM. I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THIS CHEVY B/C I WANTED AN AMERICAN CAR FOR A CHANGE, MAN WAS I WRONG. AS SOON AS I FIX THIS HEAP I WILL SELL IT BEFORE ANYMORE LIGHTS GO ON AND GO RIGHT BACK TO HONDA WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW THEY STAND BY THERE CARS AND IT RUNS WAY INTO THE SIX FIGURES BEFORE ANY REAL PROBLEMS OCCUR. I'M ONE OF THE LITTLE GUYS THAT BAILED OUT GM AND BY THE WAY WERE STILL PAYING TAXES FOR THAT BAILOUT. HOW ABOUT IT GM, DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT US AT ALL? *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
WHAT HAPPENED IS THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL TRIGGERED AND REDUCED THE CARS FUNCTIONALITY AND SPEED. IT CLEARED ITSELF, BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN GM CHEVROLET VEHICLES RANGING FROM 2005 TO 2011. IT IS LISTED MANY TIMES HERE IN YOUR DATA BASE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. OUR LIVES AND SAFETY ARE INVOLVED …
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WHAT HAPPENED IS THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL TRIGGERED AND REDUCED THE CARS FUNCTIONALITY AND SPEED. IT CLEARED ITSELF, BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN GM CHEVROLET VEHICLES RANGING FROM 2005 TO 2011. IT IS LISTED MANY TIMES HERE IN YOUR DATA BASE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. OUR LIVES AND SAFETY ARE INVOLVED HERE. FOCUSING ON CHARGING A FEE TO DO AN INVESTIGATION IS DEPLORABLE. LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER AMERICAN AFTER THE FACT OCCURRENCE OR EVENT. WHAT HAPPENED TO PROACTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. THESE AMERICAN CAR MAKERS PRODUCE JUNK CARS AND THE CONSUMER CONSTANTLY GET STIFFED WITH LEMONS. STATES LEMON LAWS? NOTHING BUT AMERICAN LEMONS ARE ROLLING OFF OF THE PRODUCTION LINES. YOU THINK, THIS MAY BE WHY OTHER COUNTRIES WILL NOT BUY OUR PRODUCTS. THERE IS NO RELIABILITY IN WHAT IS PRODUCED OR MANUFACTURED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LIP SERVICE. NON - EXISTENT WITH THESE CAR DEALERS AND PURE SALES RHETORIC. YOUR SITE READS: THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED DEFECTS OR DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING SAFETY RECALLS. I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS, PAY FOR AN INVESTIGATION AS WELL. I AM NOT PLEASED WITH HOW THE BALL KEEPS GETTING PASSED OR DROPPED. NHTSA THESE POORLY PRODUCED WEAPONS WEIGH TONS. ROLLING DOWN THE POORLY MAINTAINED HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THIS COUNTRY ENDANGERING US ALL LIFE AND LIMB. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL THAT FORCES MY CAR TO BRAKE , PULL TO THE RIGHT AND SLOW ENOUGH TO ENDANGER MY WELL BEING. I'M TRULY SCARED AND CONCERNED HERE AND THE REPAIRS AND CODE LIGHTS AREN'T RELIABLE. ONLY THE REPAIR SHOPS ARE WINNING. THE PROBLEM KEEPS REPEATING AFTER THOUSANDS ARE SPENT TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. I NEED THIS CAR FOR WORK. IF IT CANT GET ME THERE THEN THEY WILL COME AND TAKE THE JUNK BACK I AM TRYING TO MAINTAIN. THANK YOU *TR
Official recalls
516V507000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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