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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,990 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

problem #19

Feb 022015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 36,500 miles

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

The service engine light goes on intermittently. Sometimes stays off for up to a week and then comes back on. Took it to Chevy dealership and was told the module for the driver's side air bag needs to be replaced at a cost to me of $730- how can something like this happen when there has been no accident, low mileage or any type of "bumping" to the vehicle. I feel this is a safety issue that GM should resolve. Upon looking into this complaint on the internet, I see there are quite a few that have this same problem. This is something that would effect any driver with this problem if there is a serious accident and the air bags do not go off as intended...updated 10/20/15 updated 11/09/15.....updated 08/11/16 updated 1/20/2016... updated 10/26/2017

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #18

Nov 032014

Impala

  • 98,675 miles
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.

- Harrisburg, IL, USA

problem #17

Oct 312014

Impala

  • 69,300 miles
Driving along at 40 mph, traction light, engine light, power reducing message and all of a sudden car quits in middle of busy highway during rush hour. Able to coast to middle between two lanes of traffic going both ways. Sat for awhile and car started. This is the second such mishap.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #16

Jan 012010

Impala

  • miles

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

I have been having problems with this right side knocking in the dashboard for along time. I've taken it to the dealership but that not really sure of what it is. I was told that it could be a sensor but had to take the dashboard to actually know what it is. I haven't gotten fixed because I just don't want to just be spending money and that's not the problem and my service air bag light came on 6/29/2014 and its saying to "service air bag" and the ticking has gotten louder on the right hand side in the dashboard.

- Crowley, TX, USA

problem #15

Jun 212014

Impala

  • 101,020 miles
I was driving about 25mph in town and my service traction control light came on followed by engine reduce power light.

- Wonewoc, WI, USA

problem #14

Mar 182013

Impala

  • miles
I too have suffered from the aching noise that comes from the blend door actuator. I was also told by the dealership the first time I took it, that this was a very common problem in the Impala. My Impala was at the dealership for a week and I was told the reason that it took so long was that there are three actuators and they had to figure out which one it was or charge me to fix all three because they couldn't make out which one it was. I paid to get the one fix and a couple of months later it started again. I took it back to the dealership and was told that maybe they fixed the wrong one and I could pay to get the other two fixed. This is a $40 part that I paid $238 to get fixed. I declined and found numerous youtube videos and blogs reporting models as early as 2006 with the same issue. I have encountered several people who have had or have the same issue with the "knocking noise from the dash board". I am very surprised and disheartened that this a common issue with these models and yet GM has not issued a recall. Hopefully, I can get others to speak out on this issue and file complaints.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #13

Mar 202014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 110,223 miles

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

Was driving down the highway and then all of a sudden the traction light came on then I lost complete power while on the interstate going at a speed of 70mph. I was in the far left lane and had coming traffic behind me. The car completely shut down causing me to lose all power almost rear ended and trying to make my way over cutting in front of cars so that I would not be in the middle of the expressway with on coming traffic. Was able to make over to the median and thought it was something else. So then I waited there for 20 min until my friend arrived to help me and the car cranked up and drove like nothing was wrong. So I started driving again and within 45 it happened again. I waited a few mins and it cranked up. About a week or two later it happened again and has been happening more. I don't make much money and don't have it to take to a mechanic and its my only source of transportation. Please let me know if this is something that has a recall. I have seen and read this happening to other cars im wondering if they missed a year or something.

- Covington , GA, USA

problem #12

Apr 112014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 92,320 miles
I was driving my 2009 Chevy Impala traveling at about 45-50 mph when the "reduce engine power" message came up followed by "check traction control". the car then became sluggish and slowed down to about 15-20 mph. It then shut off without warning and it seems as though the power steering went out. I had my daughter in the car with me and thank god traffic was light because with that happening it was an accident waiting to happen. I am concerned because it seems like this has been a common problem with this car for a few years and there has not been a recall yet. Is GM waiting for someone to die. No one seems to be able to pinpoint what the problem is and I don't think it's fair that someone has to pay money to fix what may be a problem. Something needs to be done because this is not safe at all. I see a lot of Impala in my town and it's scary to think that at any time this can happen to any one of those cars, mine included, and seriously hurt or kill someone. GM needs to step up and do the responsible thing for the people who invested their money in the GM brand.

- Hinesville, GA, USA

problem #11

Jan 062012

Impala 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I have a 2009 Chevrolet Impala I purchased in 2010 and the traction control light keeps coming on and the reduced engine power is also coming on during this time. I have read online where people have crashed from this I feel Chevrolet needs to do a recall. I live in atlanta and if my car reduces speed while I'm on 285 this could potentially cause I very bad crash.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #10

Dec 052013

Impala

  • 91,038 miles
I started my car and the check engine light and the service traction control lights both came on. My back tires then began to spin when driving and the car made a scary noise.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #9

Jan 252013

Impala

  • 79,000 miles

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

"service traction control message came on, the check engine light came on & engine power will be reduced message came on". the cars speed dropped down to about 40mph & would hardly go. I didn't know what was going on. It really scared me because I thought my car was going to cut off. I did get to work safely but I am terrified to drive this car. Me and my [xxx] yr old was on a 4 lane when it just cut off after receiving this error message. I travel alot and and scared when this message appears!! parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cobb, GA, USA

problem #8

Jun 232010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
This has happened several times in the last 2 years, really sporadic sometimes two or three times a day sometimes not at all. While driving down the highway a message pops up on my display stating service traction control and engine power reduced. On several occasions it completely shuts down the vehicle; brakes, steering and all. Fortunately I have not had any accidents although there have been some close calls. I have found several forums with numerous people with the same issue. A recall is prominent!

- Drumright, OK, USA

problem #7

Mar 232012

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
Trs/engine reduce power will display. Car has stopped while driving over 75 mph on highway. While viewing web page edmund.com it appears this problem has occurred on over a dozen Chevy Impala. Does not appear to an isolated incident. GM need to recall the cars, before someone is injured or killed.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 272012

Impala 6-cyl

  • 50,232 miles
I-40 East bound; 60 mph; coming down a 4 to 7% grade through the smokey mountains, North Carolina side; 1st error: "service traction control, reduced engine power, service engine. Approximately 5 minutes later 2nd error: "starting disable, service throttle" lost all power to vehicle. A very dangerous and frightening event having no control of your speed, steering, and braking trying to get off to the side of I-40 with the type of grade, tractor trailer trucks that can not slow down fast enough to let you over. We were very.... very fortunate with our outcome. Had to be towed to a local dealership. Ran diagnostic; error codes P2122, P2138. Dealership replaced the component: Electronic accelerator pedal

- Madison, TN, USA

problem #5

May 012012

Impala

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder where the contact turned the engine off and restarted, but the engine did not reset. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they attempted to duplicate the failure to no avail. The manufacturer was notified who told the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #4

Jan 222012

Impala

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled on the highway at any time. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current miles were 73,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Hartshorns, OK, USA

problem #3

Aug 012011

Impala 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
While traveling down the highway at a speed of 40 the engine came to a stalled. I was force to pull over and wait for 15 minutes or more. The check engine light appeared alone with traction control. Took into dealer and unable to diagnose the problem. This is an ongoing problem as of today October 15, 2011. Also within the first six months of purchasing the vehicle the check engine light appeared because the dealer charge me $185 to remove the light.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #2

May 152010

Impala

  • 11,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively as he engaged the brakes. In addition, the contact stated that the engine would roar extremely louder than usual. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the dealer advised the contact that when the rotors were heated, they would become warped as it was a normal occurrence. The dealer took the vehicle for a test drive while the engine was cold and the vehicle performed normally. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice and only hap when driving long distances. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 11,500 and the current mileage was 16,900.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #1

Jun 282010

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2009 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer states extreme vibration, severe steering difficulties and brake unresponsiveness the consumer stated the brakes were frozen in one position. The dealer machined the front rotors and sanded the pads. The engine shut down and the consumer had to drive in 3rd gear.

- Sun City West, AZ, USA

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