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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,522 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Apr 212015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 39,256 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 there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel when turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering gear kit and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,256. Updated 8/21/15 updated 10/11/2017

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #34

Apr 142015

Impala

  • 122,000 miles
While driving on the highway at 55 mph the car lost power and displayed "reduced engine power." I lost complete power and luckily was able to coast to the shoulder. It was very scary and very dangerous.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #33

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 #32

Mar 162012

Impala 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles

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

I woke up in the hospital with a brain injury, tongue nearly cut in half, thoratic sprain, neck sprain, etc. From what I have been told, I was going at least 60-65 mph when I had my front end crash and my head went through the windshield. I had numerous issues already submitted to Chevy, such as the steering issues I had. The air bags did not deploy. I later was driving down the road and when I was turning my vehicle shut off.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #31

Oct 282014

Impala

  • miles
On my display I have seen daily (service traction action) and (engine power reduced) along with (service airbag) for more than a year, did not service due to cost and it is not my fault! my car usually slows down once the engine power reduced displays causing the car to jerk due to me trying to give it more gas so as not to be hit from the back. As my grandchildren and I were headed home on the freeway my car decided to just shut off. On the display it read first.. service traction action and then starting disabled service throttle. My car immediately lost power and I began to pray hoping I would not get hit from the back with my grandchildren sitting in the back. Once I pulled over my car would not start I sat for about a minute and tried to start again and it started. Just today 01/12/2015, with my grandchildren in the back of my car again my car decided to loose power again but this time it did something very different, it would not allow me to first reverse and then it allowed me to but soon after I could not go forward. The gas peddle acted as though the car was completely turned off but the car was running. When I attempted to press the gas peddle I pressed it all the way down to the floor, nothing happened. I ended up calling a towing service and after telling them what happened I was told my issues stemmed from a electrical system issue that Chevy had recalled. This does not make any sense for so many of us to go through the same issues but nothing be done about these issues. Something needs to be done quickly!!

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #30

Jan 082015

Impala

  • 71,000 miles
Key went and turned vehicle on. When I stopped to pull key out it would not release.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #29

Nov 122014

Impala

  • 40,000 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 5 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #28

May 122014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the steering seized and the vehicle exhibited a loss of engine power. The contact crashed into the guard rail and the front driver's air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered unknown injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system) and believed that it's directly related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Mountain Green , UT, USA

problem #27

Dec 012011

Impala

  • 42,000 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and the steering wheel became seized causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The police report was filed and no injuries sustained. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Sycrause, NY, USA

problem #26

Sep 032014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 58,500 miles
The vehicle started to beep and gauges didn't work then work. The gauges went back and forth. The locks locked and unlocked. I started to drive and didn't know how fast I was going because the speedometer didn't work. The engine seemed to work harder to reach highway speed. When I turned the car off, the stabilitrak light came off but check engine light came on. I took the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes for the check engine light but couldn't find what caused the stabilitrak light to come on. They took the electrical harness off and put electrical grease on to keep moisture out. That didn't solve the problem. I still have the stabilitrak light to come on and gauges not to work. Now, it happens when I am driving. I feel that someday this will happen and have no control of my vehicle because one time I felt the power steering to go but come back right away.

- Potter, WI, USA

problem #25

Sep 172014

Impala

  • 47,836 miles

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

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

problem #24

Jul 102014

Impala

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 62 mph, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seat belt injury that did not require medical attention. In addition, the front seat passenger sustained soreness in the shoulder and a head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

problem #23

Feb 042011

Impala 6-cyl

  • 42,089 miles
Reference# [xxx]. as I approached the intersection, another vehicle was turning onto the street I was on. I moved over to make room, as I moved over I had to cross over a clump of snow and ice that had re froze making a rough and bumpy transition. I was about 20 feet from the stop sign. I placed my foot on the brake which was hard and unresponsive. The steering was hard and unresponsive as well. I was driving about 3-5 mph at the time. When I placed my foot on the brake it was unresponsive and it took me into the intersection where I was hit by another vehicle on the drivers side front. My airbag did not deploy. The total damage for my vehicle was $ $5,615.93. We were confused and did not understand why the brakes and the steering did not function and why with this violent of a crash that the airbag did not deploy. After reading the recall notice explaining the ignition recall it made sense that why the failure occurred. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Strafford, MO, USA

problem #22

Aug 062013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
During normal conditions warning lights flash "service traction control" along with ABS light. There is a grinding noise in the front left side wheel. Also seat belts light flash. Already replaced accelerator pedal sensor.

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #21

May 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
The steering column squeaks when you turn the steering wheel slowly and backing up and turning into position slowly.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #20

Jul 222014

Impala

  • 109,022 miles
I take a left hand turn I hear cracking; backing up I hear cracking; like the front axle is falling apart. There is a control arm recall but not on my car just police cars. The issue with my car sounds like the police issue car. I am kinda of scared pulling out into traffic scary, twice I have had the traction control come on and say it needs service; but when you shut the car off light doesn't come back on. It drives funny as well do not feel safe anymore.

- Glenburn, ME, USA

problem #19

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 #18

Jul 042014

Impala

  • 87,261 miles
While driving heard a loud clunking sound as I turn the steering wheel. Upon inspection, right hand lower control arm bushing found to be defective. Using NHTSA database found recall on only police vehicles and cannot get answer why only those vehicles were recalled and not mine.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #17

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 #16

May 082014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 92,929 miles
It's apparently the standard Impala issue of the car's dash reading engine power reduced. The car has less than 100,000 miles and my I was driving home from work in rush hour when the dash read engine power reduced. I immediately phoned my husband. He insisted that I get in the right lane and be prepared for the car to die. My husband then mistakenly told me to drive to a specific exit out of the inner city before exiting the highway. Next the check stability message came on. He was like ok that's weird but lets get you home. Then the car decided to lose power brakes and steering. My hands are literally blistered getting it off the road. I guided it of the highway as he looked up the issue. Finding hundreds of these same accounts he told me to hold on a bit and restart the car. It worked and I drove it home. Had my husband not insisted I move over and be prepared this could have been a very different issue.

- Berea, OH, USA

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