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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
71,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

KEY WENT AND TURNED VEHICLE ON . WHEN I STOPPED TO PULL KEY OUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671486

115,000 miles · Jan 6, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN IM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVING 35 MPH THE CAR GETS ON A LIMP MODE AND SHOWS A "POWER ENGINE REDUCE: AND TRACTION CONTROL AND SOMETIMES TURNS OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING I ALREADY REPLACE THE (TPS) AND THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE CAR COMPUTER WAS TELLING ME AND I ALREADY TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANICS …

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WHEN IM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVING 35 MPH THE CAR GETS ON A LIMP MODE AND SHOWS A "POWER ENGINE REDUCE: AND TRACTION CONTROL AND SOMETIMES TURNS OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING I ALREADY REPLACE THE (TPS) AND THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE CAR COMPUTER WAS TELLING ME AND I ALREADY TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRING WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #10670373

46,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 3/3/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 3/3/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY IGNITION. THE ENGINE WOULD STALL ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. UPDATED 03/26/15

NHTSA ODI #10668985

119,336 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical System

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION FOR NO APPARENT REASON,NO ISSUE OR WARNING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10668955

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical System

2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO SERVICE DEALER AND GOT IT FIXED. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR SAME REASON. *TA THE KEY, AND TUMBLER WERE REPLACED, AND THE KEY SWITCH WAS RE-PROGRAMMED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10660616

80,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667147

40,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REDUCED IN SPEED TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REDUCED IN SPEED TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664853

71,407 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT, JARRING COLLISION ON JUNE 26, 2014 WITH AN SUV IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A TOYOTA RAV 4. I SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, & MY CAR SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF & THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY B…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT, JARRING COLLISION ON JUNE 26, 2014 WITH AN SUV IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A TOYOTA RAV 4. I SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, & MY CAR SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF & THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVED OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE GM PROVIDED REMEDY WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664474

79,681 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Electrical System

ON 12/11 THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION ALTHOUGH GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. ON 12/12 THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START WITH KEY STILL STUCK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THE TECHNICIAN WENT TO GET BASIC INFORMATION TO START THE SERVICE PROCESS THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE …

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ON 12/11 THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION ALTHOUGH GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. ON 12/12 THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START WITH KEY STILL STUCK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THE TECHNICIAN WENT TO GET BASIC INFORMATION TO START THE SERVICE PROCESS THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE SHIFT AND KEY. GENERAL MOTORS ESCALATED REPRESENTATIVE 800-222-1020 REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURED PARTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON GM CHEVROLET IMPALA PROBLEM FOR WHICH GM SHOULD ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY BY PERFORMING A VOLUNTARY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664030

98,675 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingTraction Control System

THE TRACTION CONTROL SUDDEN WENT OFF - TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BOTH ON - FIRST TIME OF REALLY COLD WEATHER/RAIN SNOW. DID IT ONE MORE TIME AND THEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS OFF AND SERVICE ENGINE IS ON - I SEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO "POSSIBLY" REPAIR. …

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THE TRACTION CONTROL SUDDEN WENT OFF - TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BOTH ON - FIRST TIME OF REALLY COLD WEATHER/RAIN SNOW. DID IT ONE MORE TIME AND THEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS OFF AND SERVICE ENGINE IS ON - I SEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO "POSSIBLY" REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662733

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.