NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
824 reports39,256 miles · May 1, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR KIT AND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR KIT AND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,256. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10713979
122,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
EngineSteering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE CAR LOST POWER AND DISPLAYED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." I LOST COMPLETE POWER AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713936
10,246 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Air Bags
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE SERVICE AIR BAG CAME ACROSS CENTER INFO ON DASH INFO SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ALSO SHOWING THAT THE SRS WAS ON INDICATING A PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND CAME TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST AND NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SERVICEMAN STATED IF THE ERRORS ARE NOT SHOWING IT COULD BE A PROBLEM TRYING T…
Read full complaint
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE SERVICE AIR BAG CAME ACROSS CENTER INFO ON DASH INFO SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ALSO SHOWING THAT THE SRS WAS ON INDICATING A PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND CAME TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST AND NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SERVICEMAN STATED IF THE ERRORS ARE NOT SHOWING IT COULD BE A PROBLEM TRYING TO FIND THE ISSUE OF THE LIGHT AND WARNING. WITH JUST OVER 10,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE 2009 IMPALA BECAUSE BEING OVER 5 YEARS OLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL CHECKS WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT CORRECT ANYTHING. MY HUSBAND HAS CHECKED IT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AND HE DIDN'T GET ANY ERRORS. I DROVE IT TO CHURCH TODAY AND SURE ENOUGH IT SAID SERVICE AIR BAG AND THE ICON LIGHT WAS ON FOR DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THEN NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS COMING HOME. WILL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WHEN THIS WARNING IS SHOWING? WHY CAN'T THE DEALER INFORM OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. I FOUND SEVERAL PLACES ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY ONE PERSON PAID OVER 900 DOLLARS FOR A REPAIR OTHERS SAID THAT DEALERS WERE OF NO HELP. I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT THIS MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD REPORT IT TO GM AND ALSO TO THE NHTSA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712965
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 …
Read full complaint
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
93,000 miles · Apr 14, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MESSAGE LIT UP SAYING ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, THEN SAID STARTING DISABLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF MID HIGHWAY WITH NO TIME TO REACT. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL CARS, TRACTOR TRAILER, AND BUSES. I HAD NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN WHO A…
Read full complaint
WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MESSAGE LIT UP SAYING ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, THEN SAID STARTING DISABLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF MID HIGHWAY WITH NO TIME TO REACT. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL CARS, TRACTOR TRAILER, AND BUSES. I HAD NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN WHO ARE OFTEN IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THIS CREATED A MESS OF TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE KILLED PEOPLE. AFTER BEING SCARED OUT OF MY MIND AND STUCK HALF IN A HIGHWAY LANE FOR 5 MIN WITH TRAFFIC SWERVING, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP WITH NO ISSUES AND I CONTINUED HOME. NO SIGN OF ANYTHING TODAY, HOWEVER I AM READING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER CHEVY IMPALA OWNERS WHO STATE THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AND IT COMES AND GOES AND HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX IT AND IT STILL HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN SOMETIMES MORE THAN OTHERS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE A LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705645
303,303 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN I REACH 56 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. THE LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING RAPIDLY AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP.…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN I REACH 56 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. THE LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING RAPIDLY AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. ONCE I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH SEEMED TO BE STUCK AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT SO I HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO PARK A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT WILL RELEASE THE KEY. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED I HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND IN MY GLOVE BOX WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND CLOSED AND SOMETIME HOURS AFTER ILL HEAR THE NOISE AND THE ELECTRIC WILL FLICKER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704851
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…
Read full complaint
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
68,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Electrical SystemTraction Control System
'SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL' 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR LOST ALL POWER. I HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON MY DAILY DRIVE OF 60 MILES ONE WAY. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T PASSING AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR! THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WHER…
Read full complaint
'SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL' 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR LOST ALL POWER. I HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON MY DAILY DRIVE OF 60 MILES ONE WAY. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T PASSING AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR! THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WHERE I HAVE NOT LOST ALL POWER BUT PARTIAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE POWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704367
106,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Engine
THE CAR STATES SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. I DRIVE HIGHWAY DAILY AND HAVE A (XXX) YEAR OLD SON THAT RIDES WITH ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE BOTH OF US. *TRPARTS OF THIS DOCUMEN…
Read full complaint
THE CAR STATES SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. I DRIVE HIGHWAY DAILY AND HAVE A (XXX) YEAR OLD SON THAT RIDES WITH ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE BOTH OF US. *TRPARTS 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).
NHTSA ODI #10703852
142,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE CHECK THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY, THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULES WERE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED BUT …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE CHECK THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY, THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULES WERE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA ODI #10702478
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 ↗