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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,856 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

Apr 282013

Impala

  • 71,500 miles

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

On 4/28/13, while turning into church parking lot, traction control and check engine lights came on. Computer check the next day showed code 2127. The computer was cleared and this problem code did not reappear. On 5/28/13, while driving on a flat country road at about 50 mph, traction control and check engine lights again came on. I had to drive approx. 20 miles to get back to my mechanic. Part of the computer response during the this time was to reduce engine power. This was noticeable on any minor hill. Again, my mechanic checked the computer diagnostic and said code 2127. I took my car to my dealer 5/29/13 and they replaced the accelerator pedal assembly.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #21

Mar 012013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
While driving, fast or slow, my car will slow down abruptly and a "engine power is reduced" warning comes up on the lcd dash. This has also happened while I've been standing idle at traffic lights. I am afraid that one day my car will stop completely while I'm on the highway, resulting in a crash of some sort.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #20

Mar 082013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 132,678 miles
Gear shift stuck in park position. Would not shift into any other position. Chevrolet mechanic found electrical problem and made following comments on the repair order. Found that shift lock control solenoid inop. Found that green wire melted about 12 inches from shifter and also connector for shift lock control had high resistance.. repair commented: Replaced connector and repaired wire working as designed at this time. Mechanic stated that this was not uncommon. Also found numerous internet forum comments about this problem.. very serious fire hazard. GM seems to be aware since above repair implies a reworking design of wire working.: evidence of burned wire inside a vehicle should be considered a serious fire hazard.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #19

Mar 062013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

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

I was driving on the highway leading into an overpass. As L entered onto the overpass my service traction control, engine power reduced, and service throttle body disabled flash across my dash board, killing the power to my vehicle and locking my steering wheel. While I was stopped unable to move my vehicle, cars flew me and I was almost hit. At one point another vehicle was almost ran off the road due to oncoming traffic trying to Dodge me. This was the worst experience of my life. I have never feared for my life like I did at this time. After doing my research online, I have found many others have been in my situation. I was told that my accelerator pedal sensor has gone bad. I feel that GM should be held responsible and needs to remedy the situation before someone is killed.

- Garland,Tx, TX, USA

problem #18

Dec 202012

Impala 8-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
When taking off from a start the transmission doesn't engage causing the engine to rev, then it slams into gear eventually. Have also noticed a decrease in power somewhat. Have had it in the dealer for service 3 times and of course they say they cant find anything wrong with it. Kinda crappy since the warranty just went out on the drive train about a month ago. Problem only seems to be getting worse. I have read on forums of this issue on numerous vehicles that use the 4T65-hd transmission and that GM refuses to acknowledge that there is a flaw in these transmissions.

- Irving, TX, USA

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problem #17

Jan 162012

Impala

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that whenever decelerating to a stop or when attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle would independently shift into low gear and start to jerk violently. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle but could not determine any failure. The manufacturer was notified who informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 71,000.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #16

Nov 112012

Impala

  • 117,000 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 while driving 70 mph, the vehicle erroneously shifted into neutral, causing the vehicle to stall. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle during the failure. The contact was knocked unconscious. The driver and the contact suffered a concussion. The contact also suffered an ankle injury. The driver of the other vehicle suffered a leg injury. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred prior to the crash. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Lervern, TN, USA

problem #15

Feb 142012

Impala 8-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
At a stop sign on signal, vehicle would not shift into 1st unless stepping hard on gas. Transmission would slip until engaging at higher RPM. This has happened on a number of occasions and has been taken to the dealer to be looked at. Dealer can't seem to replicate the issues I've had. Have had dealer service manager with me and it still would not to it. 10/1/2012. Doing the same thing. 83,000 miles. GM and dealer aware of previous issues. Have not contacted dealer of GM this time. I give up.

- Olive Branch , MS, USA

problem #14

Aug 062012

Impala

  • 71,000 miles
Accelerating at approx. 30% onto interstate on-ramp, engine RPM flare when shifting into 3rd from 2nd, and into 4th from 3rd. Has repeated off and on intermittently since. Fluid is not burned/deteriorated.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #13

Mar 152012

Impala

  • 68,000 miles
Three months after I bought my car I got in it about 7 am to go to work. When I put my car in reverse I heard a noise so I looked at the screen and the check engine light came on and the engine power is reduced light was flashing as well and my car wouldn't go over 40 mph. I called the dealership and they said to bring it in after work and they will look at it. The first time the said it was the throttle pedal assembly so I replaced that. Two weeks later the same thing happened, this time they said I had a pinched wire and they fixed it. Again it came on when I had been in an accident and I was told the computer was jarred so they reset it. A month later on August 18, 2012 I was sitting at a stop sign waiting to turn right and when I went to turn my car stalled out in the middle of the road and I was almost hit by a car coming around the curve. I got scared so I turned around to go home and it stalled out on me four more times before making it 5 miles down the road. I had my 3 small children in the car with me at the time and they got pretty shaken up as well.

- Demotte, IN, USA

problem #12

Dec 142011

Impala 8-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

2008 Chevrolet Impala ss with 5.3L LS4 engine and 4T65E-hd transmission experience torque converter failure at 55K miles requiring full transmission replacement. Replacement transmission beginning to exhibit same torque converter shudder behavior again and warranty will be expiring soon. 4T65E-hd transmission only rated for 280 ft-lbs torque, LS4 V8 produces 323 ft-lbs. This is clearly negligence on the part of General Motors and a solution must be reached for owners of these vehicles!

- Westwood, MA, USA

problem #11

Jul 242012

Impala

  • 68,282 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while parking, the gear shift seized and the gears could not be changed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times before being able to shift into drive. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repair shop for inspection or repairs. The contact removed the cover on the gear shifter box and noticed there was a broken wire. The contact stated that the keys had become stuck in the ignition switch. The manufacturer was made aware of failure however no further assistance was provided. The current and failure mileage was 68,282.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 172012

Impala

  • 61,000 miles
My car shut off with a reduced engine power message with my two small children in the car while the car was in motion.

- Lansdowne, PA, USA

problem #9

Mar 012012

Impala 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Reduce power light comes on. Cars speed drastically reduces. If you pull over and wait for about ten minutes and restart the car, it resets itself.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

problem #8

May 312012

Impala

  • 83,300 miles
I was traveling on a highway near to my home, and for about a month now the vehicle has come up with an error stating "reduced engine power". suddenly, the vehicle simply stalled itself, coming up with a message that stated "starting disabled/service throttle". I was traveling uphill at 40mph, now with no power brakes, no power steering, and the engine completely shut off and unable to restart. Luckily I was able to pull over and disconnect the battery and reconnect it to restart it. What if this had happened on a highway on or off ramp" or on a corner? or with a vehicle traveling behind me" I believe any vehicle that will just randomly turn itself off due to a part that has had hundreds of complaints that I've just read online is unsafe to be driven on America's highways. I read online that this was a prevalent problem with these vehicles, and I hope I get injured because of it so I can sue GM.

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #7

Feb 122012

Impala

  • 39,211 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the gear shift would not release from the park position. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer to have a diagnostic test performed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the failure was not recalled and denied assistance with the repairs. The failure and current mileages were 39,211. The VIN information was not available.

- Aurora , IL, USA

problem #6

Dec 132010

Impala

  • miles
Safety issue - vehicle looses power and control. The service stabiltrak and no power to the engine service lights appear and the car looses control and power while driving... multiple incidents GM dealer could not identify/fix. This recurring issue is a serious safety concern driving down the road in the snow loosing power and control will cause accidents/injury.

- Bethel , MN, USA

problem #5

Jul 172011

Impala

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned on it would not shift out of the park position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who did not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 50,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #4

Feb 282011

Impala 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
2008 Impala, each time I drive through water at slow speeds, the power steering locks up and the battery error signal illuminates. The car does not handle whatsoever and there have been near misses on three occasions. This has not proven to be an issue on the highway or on roads at higher speeds over 25 mph. I inquired at the dealership and they were not helpful as the warranty has run out on the vehicle.

- Madison, MS, USA

problem #3

Dec 102010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 63,164 miles
2008 Chevrolet Impala gearshift could not be moved from "park". towed to don brown Chevrolet (after tow driver disconnected shift linkage). Diagnosed as "test and trace ground circuit to broken wire in center console". talked to service manager who reported that technician stated wires moved when the shifter was moved which likely caused wire to break separate. Potential for driver to be "stuck" in park in a risky / unsafe situation exists.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

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