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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

What owners actually said

824 reports
117 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE REDUCED ENGINE SPEED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH WHILE I WAS DRIVING . I HAD BEEN DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MINUTE AT SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MPH. I LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE .THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS BY PEOPLE HAVING THIS DAME ISSUE. THERE WERE PEOPLE SAYING THEIR LIVES WERE ENDANGERED .THEY WERE DR…

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TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE REDUCED ENGINE SPEED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH WHILE I WAS DRIVING . I HAD BEEN DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MINUTE AT SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MPH. I LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE .THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS BY PEOPLE HAVING THIS DAME ISSUE. THERE WERE PEOPLE SAYING THEIR LIVES WERE ENDANGERED .THEY WERE DRIVING AND THEIR ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF .THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH 2009 IMPALAS .THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR . AND FRIENDS ARE TELLING ME THAT FORD CARES ABOUT THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE AN TAKES CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I AM HOPING CHEVROLET WILL PROVE THAT CUSTOMERS SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. AND DOES A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ASAP . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919800

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT AFTERWARDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT AFTERWARDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10919350

90,517 miles · Oct 19, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE WRAPPED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE WRAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, "SERVICE TRANSACTION" DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,517.

NHTSA ODI #10917249

112,000 miles · Oct 9, 2016
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER READS ACROSS THE SCREEN. CAR SLOWS TO 45 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNS OFF. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL ON GOING....?

NHTSA ODI #10914954

159,000 miles · Oct 9, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THIS PROBLEM INCLUDES MORE ITEMS THAN YOUR FORM ALLOWS ME TO CHECK. IT STATED OUT ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SERVICE STABLE TRACT AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON CAUSING THE ENGINE POWER TO BE REDUCED WHICH IS AN ANNOENCE BUT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS YOU ARE PASSING SOME…

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THIS PROBLEM INCLUDES MORE ITEMS THAN YOUR FORM ALLOWS ME TO CHECK. IT STATED OUT ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SERVICE STABLE TRACT AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON CAUSING THE ENGINE POWER TO BE REDUCED WHICH IS AN ANNOENCE BUT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS YOU ARE PASSING SOMEONE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENS AND YOU CAN NOT COMPLETE THE PASS DUE TO REDUCED POWER. IF YOU PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THE SERVICE LIGHTS WOULD GO AWAY AND MAY NOT COME ON AGAIN FOR WEEKS. THIS PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN THE CAR STARTED A NEW ONE WITH A NO CRANK, NO START PROBLEM WHICH WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN YOU WOULD GET UP TO THREE WARNING LIGHTS, (SERVICE TABLE TRAC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND SERVICE AIR BAGS) WITH TIME THE NO CRANK, NO START PROBLEM KEPT COMING AND GOING AND THE ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON WHEN IT WOULDN'T CRANK OR START WAS THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. IF YOU KEPT TRYING TO START IT AFTER 3 TO 30 TIMES IT WOULD START AND RUN FINE AND MAY NOT ACT UP AGAIN FOR 1 DAY OR EVEN UP TO A WEEK. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I HAD MY WIFE SWITCH CARS WITH ME AS THIS WAS THE CAR SHE DROVE TO WORK DAILY AND I DIDN'T WANT HER TO GET STRANDED. I AM SO GLAD I DID THAT AS THE VERY FIRST DAY I DROVE IT TO WORK ON MY WAY HOME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND AGAIN I COULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY BIG TROUBLE IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR AND I DON'T THINK THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. I REPORTED THE TO CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME TRYING TO FIX IT WOULD BE AT MY COST SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE LOCAL DEALER AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR 3 DAYS TO FIND A NO CRANK, NO START ON A CORVET WITH NO LUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10914948

100,200 miles · Oct 7, 2016
Air Bags

MY CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP ON 9/20/2016 FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER AND THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND OFF. THE RECALL DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. READING UP I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS STILL HAVING ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL THAT WILL FULLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF JUST A WE…

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MY CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP ON 9/20/2016 FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER AND THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND OFF. THE RECALL DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. READING UP I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS STILL HAVING ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL THAT WILL FULLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF JUST A WEEK LONG BANDAID

NHTSA ODI #10914819

99,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10913665

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME AND THE STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10910981

114,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MOVED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MOVED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10910133

110,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10910047

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.