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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,854 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Impala body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #19

Apr 042022

Impala

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The back driver-€™s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I-€™ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit through all doors of a vehicle, especially during an emergency. Because of this defect, Impalas should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owner.

- Ontonagon, MI, USA

problem #18

Oct 242017

Impala

  • 75,000 miles
While in motion, car was involved in crash, hit a concrete barrier and a fence and airbag did not deploy, driver sustained a concussion. He was wearing a seat belt

- Santa Fe, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 252016

Impala

  • 30,000 miles
Rear door locks dont work when trying to get children out of car. Doors don't unlock. Rear doors do not lock or unlock often.

- North Bellmore, NY, USA

problem #16

Aug 012015

Impala

  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear passenger door locks do not function electrically when the vehicle is warm. Automatic lock function when the vehicle is placed in 'drive' does not function under these circumstances. Due to the position of the manual lock releases, it is very difficult to manually unlock the rear doors manually. In an emergency situation, if the rear door locks do not function, it can delay escape from the vehicle.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #15

Aug 012007

Impala

  • 110,115 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. During rainy weather conditions, water entered the vehicle through the dashboard causing the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 110,115.

- Chrisney, IN, USA

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problem #14

Jul 312014

Impala

  • 70,000 miles
Fowler Chevrolet, part of www.fowlerauto.com/ with fowler Toyota, repaired our 2008 Impala after an accident. First round repairs were $9,800 on a $12,000 vehicle and then carfax showed frame damage above and beyond the accident notation after the repairs! on the same day of the accident, I emailed the body shop "please don't proceed with significant repairs until the frame structure is determined to be fine ", but they started without contacting me. Our insurance covered like tires and the dealership even wanted me to go get the replacement Goodyear tire and bring to the dealership! it was in the shop over 7 weeks and insurance only covered for 30 days of a rental vehicle, but since we were renting from their fleet, they had no incentive to get it done. We ended up taking it to southpointe Chevrolet to minimize the noises coming out of the repair area and have never been reimbursed. I requested quality assurance in writing regarding the repair area after the carfax concerns. I also requested more information regarding if the welder was certified etc..., but have not received anything substantial in writing. The body shop manager, chris helm, was terminated soon after our repairs. The body shop manager stated that General Motors/Chevrolet sent in a representative to review the repairs and backed the dealership 100%. I requested something in writing from General Motors/Chevrolet after sending the picture of the repairs and they won't put anything in writing. Fowler Chevrolet and fowler auto group refuse to resolve the outstanding issues. I will never use them again. Can you help prevent other unsafe repairs like in the picture?

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #13

Mar 072015

Impala

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that all door locks failed to lock and unlock electronically and manually. In addition, the contact stated that the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light illuminated. The service tire monitor system was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the all four locks and the TPMS sensor needed to be replaced. The tpsm was replaced on multiple occasions. However, the failure recurred. The locks were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 292014

Impala 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the door locks malfunctioned. The contact stated that in order to open and close the vehicle they had to manually open the locks through the windows or adjust the seat to manually open the door. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician confirmed that the locks were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 105,000. MA 09/25 the consumer stated she was locked inside of the vehicle. Updated 01/28/16

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #11

Jun 022014

Impala

  • 120,000 miles
The power locking mechanism failure. The only door that can be unlocked by the key fob is the driver's door. All of the other doors must be manually unlocked. If someone needs to enter the vehicle from the passenger side, the window must be opened to allow the person on the passenger side of the vehicle to reach in and unlock the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and was told the the actuator in the doors were malfunctioning, and the cost would be $1,300 to have them repaired. Vehicle has not been repaired.

- Mount Morris, MI, USA

problem #10

Dec 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 96,187 miles
I was exciting an off ramp when I swerved to avoid another vehicle, completely lost control of vehicle crashed had no brakes and keys will not come out of the ignition. My vehicle is not drivable.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #9

Jun 272014

Impala

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We had over $10,000 in insurance repairs on 2008 Impala with blue book around $12,800. Oklahoma insurance dept rules said car should have been total loss. We had to go to a 2nd shop to continue repairs as the body shop manager was fired. Carfax is now showing vehicle with frame damage etc.. and insurance company refuses to assist. We would like to forward more documentation for assistance as ftc is telling us you can assist hold fowler Chevrolet of tulsa Oklahoma accountable. This is a serious safety issue also if they are repairing cars that should be a total loss besides compensating us for the financial issues related.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #8

Jul 252014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Had vehicle repaired at fowler Chevrolet in tulsa Oklahoma and very concerned that vehicle should have been a total loss. Vehicle taken in 2nd time for rework. We have some pictures and video. Body shop manager was terminated. We need assistance. Very concerned about safety issues on vehicle at highway speeds. Unsure where to turn. Several people with Chevrolet involved to cover for dealer. The dealer informed the consumer to remove all the keys from the key ring. Updated 12/17/14...updated 06/16/15 updated 08/28/2017

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #7

Jun 202014

Impala

  • 51,000 miles
Rear passenger doors will not unlock, trapping passengers after parking vehicle nether of the rear passenger doors could be opened. Both rear passenger doors remain locked and could not be unlocked using ether the lock controls located on the drivers side door control or with the key fob. My 90+ year old parent was in rear passenger compartment. Due to severe dementia they became panicky and agitated when they were unable to get out of the vehicle. They did not have the ability to open the door using the passenger lock nor could they follow instructions to do so. This would be the same situation as having a small child trapped N the rear. The rear door manual locking mechanism are located to far back to be reached from the drivers compartment. I was only able to free him by entering the truck and pushing one of the rear seats flat to access the passenger area. Had this been a crash or vehicle fire any passenger in rear compartment would have perished. A review of Impala owner complaints on several web sites indicates there is a common issue with the rear door locks on these Impala but GM has not offered to fix what is an obvious safety hazard.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #6

Oct 102013

Impala

  • 61,715 miles
While entering a freeway traffic suddenly stopped and I changed lanes. As I changed lanes I was unable to steer and attempted to brake. The car spun out of control and collided with another car broadside. The car I hit had its air bags deploy. Mine did not. Damage to my car was all front end and drivers rear door. No injuries except bumps and bruises. My car has now been recalled for the ignition key issue by GM. Was unaware of issue before.

- Whitmore Lake, MI, USA

problem #5

Nov 052013

Impala

  • 164,000 miles
While the vehicle was stopped, the driver's side rear door would not open. It does not open one month later, after multiple attempts to lock and unlock door and engaging the handle from inside and out. In the event of accident or emergency, the inability to open the door could quickly result in death or injury. In a family with three vehicles of this make and model, all three have experienced this problem. Chevrolet dealer was unwilling to inform manufacturer of defect.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #4

Jul 022012

Impala

  • 52,000 miles
The door lock on the driver rear door failed to open. They lock but don't open. This is a severe safety hazard because the locks are at the back/rear of the car and cannot be accessed from the front..I cannot enter and remove my grandchildren from there car seats in an emergency like a car fire and car accident where they are still in the road.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #3

May 062009

Impala 6-cyl

  • 10,203 miles
Door lock problems: First the driver door failed to work. Then the right passenger door..(which has to be manually opened and closed). Now the driver side passenger door lock is undependable. The problem is becoming a hazard to driving the automobile in that the safety of the ingress and egress of the passengers cannot be guaranteed and this can become a definite hazard, especially in times of an accident.

- Salem, IL, USA

problem #2

May 142013

Impala

  • 71,009 miles
I have read many other complaints similar to mine. I was driving yesterday and the "service stabilitrak, service traction control" warnings came on. After a few minutes "engine power reduced" warning came on and the car would not run over 50 mph. This is on a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. I was driving 45 mph and when the lights come on, they just as quickly turn off and on again. The car shook and the throttle was a bit off. It was very scary to drive, especially since this happened at night and it is not the first incident.as of today, this is the 5th time I have dealt with "reduced engine power"/"service stabilitrak". such a safety issue. Instead of being scared of getting into an accident, I'm fearful I will be the one causing the pile up.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 022009

Impala

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the rear driver side door failed to lock and could not be opened at all. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the door board needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.

- Negaunee, MI, USA

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