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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,750 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.

2009 Chevrolet Impala brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Jul 172020

Impala

  • 180,000 miles

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

I crashed heading down a hill.I crashed into a telephone pole after my car suddenly revved up, gained speed as I headed towards a telephone pole, with loss of power steering, brakes because my car quit after gaining speed due to the rpms amping up on their own and going down a hill. When I hit the pole, the telephone lines snapped and I was trapped in the car because they landed on my driver window and were shooting out sparks as if they were roman candles and a fire started on the right side of my car in some pine straw. When the firemen was able to get me out of the car he came to the passenger side and by then I had taken my seat belt off and the fireman advised me to get out of the passenger side if I was able and I told him that I was scared to let off the brake because I thought for some reason being out of my head that the car was going to roll if I let off the brake and he took his hand and slammed the car up in to park because I didn't even realize I had not put it in park. He said you can let your foot off the brake because it will not roll and I said I'm too scared.I asked..can I put the emergency brake on and he said yes and when I did it went straight to the floor. Then I continued to come out the passenger side and hop to the sidewalk with my feet together just in case anything was hot and to keep from getting electrocutied just in case something was still hot around us. When I was struck by the airbag the and the seat belt did its job I suppose but for some reason my neck was yanked so hard that it hurts so badd everyday when I didn't go to the hospital.I was unaware of any recalls when I purchased from a dealership on Jan 18 2020. The day before I crashed we were traveling uphill &I had a friend with me that helped grab the wheel until it stopped after it revved up & quit.I attempted to crank it 3xs with success. I was stunned as to why it did it.

- Rockmart, GA, USA

problem #38

May 032020

Impala 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Power reduces in heavy traffic. If I slow because of traffic it jerks like brakes are still engaged. Acts like transmission going out. This can cause someone to get run into from behind. There was a recall earlier this year. The mileage was not enough to cover my vechile. There should be no mileage limit.

- Ardmore, OK, USA

problem #37

Feb 192019

Impala

  • 9 miles
On this vehicle when you go to make a left hand turn from a stop, the front driver wheel, caliper, or something in the drivetrain locks up and will not allow the vehicle to proceed forward making a left turn. The vehicle only goes forward when you let off the gas then press the gas peddle again. This has been known now for 5 months and the customer is complaining that she almost got into accident, how ever here at dieselz motorsports we had replaced the rack and pinion, front rotors and pads and outer tie rods. And the issue still persist.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #36

Mar 012019

Impala

  • 200,000 miles

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

"takata recall" having problems with the rotors, tire end rods, and motor mount.

- Grenada, MS, USA

problem #35

May 312018

Impala

  • 140,000 miles
While driving on the interstate at 70mph, air bag light, engine light as well as traction control light came on. Felt as if brakes were on. Dash read "service traction control" & "engine speed reduced". 140,000 miles

- Washburn, IL, USA

problem #34

Nov 172017

Impala

  • 124,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While operating the vehicle, the ABS sensor suddenly illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 124,500.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #33

Jun 072017

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Tires: Are constantly needing replaced have had three sets of 60K goodyears tires in addition to a set of perillis with about 40 % tread since febraury 2015. Brakes: Three sets of brakes on vehicle since February 2015. Everytime vehicle goes to mechanic they state that rotors are severely warped. Electrical: Having issues with ABS traction control. This is causing reduced engine power when turning. When crossing a main intersections the car coasts across oncoming traffic. Actuators and wiring to many vehicle components having ongoing issues. Air conditioner, doors, door locks, relays the main issue I am having is non operational doors locks in vehicle. I have to craw through the car to open the door locks. I have young children and my daughter was standing out of the car awaiting me to unlock the door. Another vehicle pulling into a parking spot nearly hit my child. Another incident was having items stolen from vehicle due to intermittent of the locks. It has really become a major safety issue for me with this car. This issue with locks became a problem about two weeks ago. I stated to chevorlet I was able to press lock or unlock a couple of times and was always able to at least free one lock within the rear and front. Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #32

Feb 202017

Impala

  • 124,950 miles
The traction control light is on, the cruise control does not work and the brake lights are on all the time.

- Starbuck, MN, USA

problem #31

Feb 132017

Impala

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While stationary, the traction control and ABS indicators remained illuminated. While turning the vehicle, it made a loud grinding noise as if the traction were unstable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

problem #30

Sep 232016

Impala

  • 159,000 miles
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.

- St. Marys, OH, USA

problem #29

Aug 242016

Impala

  • miles

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

"takata recall" this traction service control is going to get someone killed if it haven't already!!!! it comes on everyday and, few minutes it jump on and off! I have taken my to the dealership for traction service control which also had a recall and they told me I was over the 120,000 miles for the the recall. The guy act like it didn't T do it with him. I can not pull out in front of anyone because it stall out and make noise to bad, I can not back uphills without this being a problem. I get in an accident and I make out; I also told my family if I don't please sue the dealership because they is not taking this serious! me and my family along with other drivers life are in danger with this problem

- Abbeville, SC, USA

problem #28

Jun 102015

Impala

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact had not experienced a failure with the vehicle until it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). Shortly after the dealer's repair, the check engine warning light randomly illuminated and the vent controls failed to properly work. In addition, the key fob failed to lock and unlock at different points in time. The contact notified the dealer and they were unable to provide a solution for the various electrical failures. In addition, the brakes were slow to respond and the dealer replaced the rotors, which did not prevent the failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The repairs for the brake system did not prevent the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V507000 (air bags, electrical system). The parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Mountainview, AR, USA

problem #27

Mar 172012

Impala

  • 34,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at 60 mph, the steering failed and the contact heard a clicking noise. The brakes also failed and the contact crashed the vehicle into a guardrail and a tree. The contact's tongue was severed and he suffered injuries to the brain, neck, and back. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 34,500.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #26

Jun 212015

Impala

  • 67,000 miles
I was deriving down a steep grade on the gatlinburg bypass toward pigeon forge, tn in second gear for engine breaking. I first noticed the car getting warmer and I checked the dual climate control by feel to make sure my rider had not increased the temperature. Then I noticed the steering was harder on slight curves; then I noticed the tachometer going to zero and sone other gauges decreasing; then I had to slow for a charper curve where I had no power brake assist and no powering steering assist. I managed to bring the vehicle to a safe stop where I tried to restart the engine. The vehicle restarted after a short cranking but acted if it was starving for fuel. Once restarted the vehicle ran satisfactory, if I had been a weak person or had panicked this incident would probably have resulted in a crash. The ignition switch recall had recently been accomplished. The fuel level was 1/2 tank. As an electrical engineer this appeared to be an electrical problem where the engine power was cut off shutting down the fuel pump, instrument cluster, ignition, and electric steering assist.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #25

Jun 272015

Impala

  • 75,906 miles
Traction control light on, car lose power and has trouble stopping when brakes are deployed.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #24

Nov 012014

Impala

  • 185,000 miles
We received a letter saying this year and model have a poor solder connection that causes reduction in engine power and traction control failure. Our car has this problem. However, Chevrolet will only pay for the fix if it is under warranty and has less than 120,000 miles. We believe that most six year old cars have more than 120,000 miles and Chevrolet is just covering themselves from lawsuits with this letter. If they soldered something improperly they should fix it regardless of the milege on a vehicle.

- Millville, NJ, USA

problem #23

Apr 042014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
The traction control, stability track and ABS lights all came on. The engine power reduced light came on and engine power was lower. I had the left speed sensor replaced and the accelerator sensor replace on August 8th after the dealership had fixed this problem in April and again in June. I was told they changed sensors then also, but I am not sure of which ones at that time. I am now having the same problem for the forth time. Replacing the sensors every few months is getting expensive. Also not very safe. I contacted GM and the woman told me to take it back to the dealership to be fixed again. I have fixed the same issue three times already. They were of no help at all.

- Meadville, PW, USA

problem #22

Feb 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 68,989 miles
I have a 2009 Chevrolet Impala with 89756+ miles. I have been having issues with the car's traction service control and ABS lights. The lights stays on and when I turn the car makes a grinding sound and sometimes stalls. When the light goes off, the car loses some brake control. I have taken it to 3 different auto mechanics. I replace the gas pedal (twice), the left barring and the problem hasn't gone away. I have been researching this for a year now. My research shows that this is an issue that is happening to a lot of 2009 Chevy Impala. There are multiple websites and forums supporting this issue should recall by Chevrolet. This is very reckless. I only drive my car to work and back. I am fearful every time I get in my car. I cannot afford to keep paying for repairs that are not solving the problem. Please look into the traction control service & ABS system issues in the 2009 Chevrolet Impala.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #21

Mar 102015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
I began making a left turn, when the vehicle lost control. The acceleration picked up and I lost control of the ability to steer. The brake would not press down and the vehicle picked up speed faster before hitting a tree.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #20

Sep 172014

Impala

  • 47,836 miles
I was driving my car into a series of turns at approximately 45 mile per hour when it seemed I lost engine power rapidly and the car decreased speed to approximately 20 mile per hour I could not accelerate. I could barely steer and braking was really difficult. I managed to get the car off of the road where it set for approximately a minute or two before it would restart. I contacted GM and my dealership and did not get a satisfactory answer either place. This is exactly what my recall letter describes yet I was told that my issues were not due to the recall. I am greatly disappointed to be paying for a vehicle that is not safe for me to drive.

- Buckeye, WV, USA

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