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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,760 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 6 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #75

Sep 012013

Impala

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the engine failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, the contact stated that although the vehicle has never been involved in a crash the air bags had to be replaced a total of eleven times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Aurora , CO, USA

problem #74

Sep 042014

Impala

  • 37,006 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it made an abnormal thumping sound lasting thirty seconds. The problem recurred multiple times. The vehicle was the taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the left temperature actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,006.

- Greenwood, MO, USA

problem #73

Jul 012014

Impala

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 65 mph, the traction control and engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Bridgeport, OH, USA

problem #72

Jul 052014

Impala

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact was able to switch the shifter to the neutral position and restarted the engine. The vehicle resumed operation as normal. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Courtland, NY, USA

problem #71

Aug 302014

Impala

  • 126,000 miles
I cranked my 2009 Chevrolet Impala leaving a nearby gas station and the message service traction control flashed, then engine power reduced, and the check engine light came on. My car drove sluggish home at a very slow speed. Luckily I was only about 5 minutes from home. The next morning no message was displayed and the check engine light went off. I took it to advance auto parts and the code P2127 was displayed twice - throttle pedal position sensor. I see most of these complaints are similar to mine I just happen not to be on the highway. Is GM investigating this because this is serious with multiple occurrences?

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #70

Feb 112009

Impala 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 65 mph, the traction control and engine reduce power warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle's speed suddenly decelerated to 45 mph and the air bag sensor and tire monitoring system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 10/22/2014 updated 4/1/2015

- Winstonville, MS, USA

problem #69

Jul 252014

Impala

  • 7,600 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the check engine indicator illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and performed normally without any indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 7,600.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #68

Mar 192010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 1,800 miles
I had just turned onto this road, had not even gone a mile. No speed, no black marks, car shut down ran off the road and hit a tree stump. Total the car. The steering wheel was bent almost in half. I have pictures of the car. I got this car new, so all miles we're put on it by me. I broke my hip, back, knee, dislocated my elbow, crushed my ankle and foot. Had a head injury, a deflated lung. I was in the hospital for two months and a nursing home for a month. I have had 14 surgeries. Still not able to work or do a lot of things for my self. With the recalls showing the issues of the engine shutting off, I need this looked into.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #67

Jun 182013

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
Mine seems to have the same problems as most people. Traction control. Service airbag, reduced engine power lights come on. Car dies while driving once the lights come on. Doors don't unlock unless it's done manually. Messages flash on my readout over and over again. Tells me to check tire pressure on each tire even though the pressure is fine. Detects passenger in passenger seat when there is nothing in the passenger seat. Ridiculous! I am not ever buying another one!!

- New Haven, KY, USA

problem #66

Jul 012014

Impala

  • 51,070 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the reduced power warning message and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and could be restarted. The contact mentioned that when the vehicle was restarted, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 51,070.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #65

May 152014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 63,000 miles

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

I have noticed a sort of jerking or chugging feeling while traveling at different speeds and different environments, such as highway and city. The problem does seem to be worsening. The service technician at the dealership referred to this as a "fishbite". I did not seem to really notice the problem until repair was made to the manifold and crank case gaskets, due to a severe oil leak. The dealership did look into my concern for the "fishbite", but a code was not found and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Is this a precursor to the other complaints involving loss of power while driving?

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #64

Jun 302014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 70,352 miles
Accelerator pedal position sensor app went out. After checking with several car service departments they said I should report this. Lots of people with this same car our having this problem.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #63

May 302014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
One day before I was to take a vacation from Missouri to Texas, my check engine light came on. My mechanic told me the code had something to do with a fuel canister, but it shouldn't pose a problem. As I was driving 75 mph on the highway inside the Texas state line, after 7 hours of driving, mostly in rain all day, the car started doing a jerking type action & then my traction control light came on, w/a warning msg saying, "service traction control; engine power reduced." Going 75 mph I lost all control! no lights, no A/C (which is a separate, loud, clicking issue I could address), no power steering, no power brakes! I had all I could do to just point my car to the side of the road & coast to a stop, in the middle of nowhere w/out a service station in sight! I tried 3X to restart the vehicle to no avail. As I sat there in bewilderment & fright of what just happened, I contemplated what to do. After about 5 minutes, I decided to try & start it 1 more time. This time, it started up. However, the check engine light & the service airbag light (again, another issue I've had with the vehicle since the day I purchased it) were still lit up but the traction control light & the warning messages had gone off. I continued to my destination & the following day (Saturday) I took the vehicle to the local GM dealership where they proceeded to do a diagnostic test &, of course, "could not replicate the problem, " therefore they could not "find anything wrong." They gladly depleted my vacation expenses of $100 & sent me on my way with a reassurance that "if it happens again while you're here, come back by & we will test it again but we won't charge you for it." How nice of them. :{ GM seems to enjoy doing that. And the NHTSA doesn't seem to want to take the initiative to investigate this prevalent problem w/these cars. If something bad happens, I'll sue the pants off of them.

- Cape Fair, MO, USA

problem #62

Jun 172014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and suddenly lost speed and the engine light came on and also a couple of messages. "reduce engine power" and "service traction control". I have encounter a lot of Impala owners with the same problem, which leads me to believe is a manufactures mistake.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #61

Jun 142014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I am complaining about an incident that happened to me on Saturday, June 14th 2014. I was driving about 70 mph (I have a 2009 Chevrolet Impala) when my check engine light came on. Not long after that did I notice that my engine had shut off and my power steering had went out. Come to find out today (6/17/2014), GM had an ignition recall. Since the same exact description happened to my vehicle I thought for sure that it was under the recall. I tried to call my local dealer to get it resolved, and shockingly my car did not have a recall under it. I tried to call GM directly and tell them what happened to me, but they said that they could not help me being that my car was not under the recall. My concern is that GM is not taking full responsibility for all of these incidents. Its just not right, its not good business on their behalf, and its not ethical. If any of my driving conditions had been different, I could have been involved in a lethal accident. Not only does it pose a threat to myself, but if I had other passengers in my vehicle and also other drivers on the road. Something has to be done about this and GM needs to take full responsibility for the faults that they produced.

- Rantoul, IL, USA

problem #60

Jan 182013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 65,500 miles
I was on highway one evening and my cruise control was engaged. My power went out completely on the car. I immediately noticed that the car shut down and I was able to coast to the side of the highway. After gathering my bearings, I was able to turn the car back on and drive off the freeway. It was determined that my oil was low (no warning light). Prior to this incident, I was going down hill on a local street when my warning system came on and indicated that I had reduced engine power and traction stability control issues. After going to the dealer, it was determined that my oil was extremely low, however no leaks or cause was ever found. Prior to this, I had to get my accelerator sensor replaced because the reduced engine power warning came on. It was not covered under warranty and I had to pay several hundred dollars to 'fix' the issue. As recently as yesterday, June 16, 2014, I turned my car on and the reduced engine power and traction control warning came on. I immediately turned the car off and checked the oil. It was low but no warning light to indicate this issue came on (same as in the past). I faithfully get my oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever is first. My oil life was at 54% yesterday and I did take it in for an oil change this morning. It is obvious based on others experiences, that this is a known issue amongst 2009 Impala owners. The fact that I did not receive a warning when I was on a major highway and my car shut off while still in motion, is extremely scary and it traumatized my son tremendously. I am hoping that some type of investigation will be initiated because it could result in serious injuries or even death.

- South Euclid, OH, USA

problem #59

Jun 122014

Impala

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the traction control, emissions and engine lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic.the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

- Green Springs, OH, USA

problem #58

Jun 102014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 97,800 miles
I was accelerating to merge left into a highway. Weather was dry and hot. Traction control light came on along with engine light car shows message: "service traction control", "engine power reduced". car takes longer to accelerate. After I turned off the car and turn it on, traction control light disappeared. Engine light remains on.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #57

May 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
I was accelerating and turning left at the same time after a stop sign into a 40 mph road. Weather was hot and dry. Traction control and engine light came on immediately. Car shows message: Service traction control, engine power reduced.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #56

Apr 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving, service traction control will come on along with the engine light, and they flicker on and off, and cause the car to jerk, the locks to relock, my fuel gauge to go out of place, and sometimes cause the car to turn off. I have taken my car to an actual Chevrolet dealership, but they stated that there was nothing wrong with the car because they tried and no problems were diagnosed when they used the scan tool. I don't know what to do. Some people say that it may have something to do with my transmission; others say that it is something electrical; while others say that a wire is not connecting or is touching something. One dealer stated that this is happen in all 2007-2012 Impala once they hit a certain miles.

- Irving , TX, USA

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