2008 Chevrolet IMPALA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
810 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 664 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 214 of 810 complaints (26.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 99 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 85 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 68 | 8.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 47 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 214 |
| Engine | 134 |
| Steering | 90 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 88 |
| Power Train | 85 |
| Suspension | 78 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 58 |
| Air Bags | 50 |
Electrical System: 214; Engine: 134; Steering: 90; Vehicle Speed Control: 88; Power Train: 85; Suspension: 78; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 58; Air Bags: 50
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 89 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 111 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 149 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 116 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 141 |
| 150,000 and above | 58 |
Under 25,000: 89; 25,000 to 49,999: 111; 50,000 to 74,999: 149; 75,000 to 99,999: 116; 100,000 to 149,999: 141; 150,000 and above: 58
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (149). 146 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 56 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 55 |
| 2013 | 100 |
| 2014 | 193 |
| 2015 | 115 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
2007: 2; 2008: 23; 2009: 18; 2010: 56; 2011: 85; 2012: 55; 2013: 100; 2014: 193; 2015: 115; 2016: 47; 2017: 34; 2018: 20; 2019: 27; 2020: 13; 2021: 7; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 99 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 85 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 68 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10224308 · 2008-04-12 (April 12, 2008)
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW AND NEVER DAMAGED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, A "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER AND THE CHIME SOUNDED (999 MILES ON THE ODOMETER). THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER IMMEDIATELY IF THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. INSPECTION BY THE SELLING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THE WIRING FOR AN AIRBAG SENSOR (TERMINAL "C") HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227965 · 2008-05-15 (May 15, 2008)
DEAR SIR OR MADAM, THIS PAST WEEK WE COMPLETED A PURCHASE OF A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA FORM A LOCAL DEALER IN ARNOLD, MISSOURI. IT IS A MODEL LT-1. AFTER WE GOT HOME I STARTED TO READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND EXAMINE THE CAR. I EVENTUALLY NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK LID HAD NO KEY HOLE. I CHECKED AN ABBREVIATED MANUAL WE WERE GIVEN. IT SAID I WAS TO PULL THE REAR SEAT BACK DOWN TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TRUNK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. THEY DO NOT PULL DOWN IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. I ASKED IF I HAD COME UP WITH A DEAD BATTERY AND A CHILD HAD CRAWLED INTO TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10227965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200761 · 2007-08-25 (August 25, 2007)
WHEN DRIVING 2008 CHEVROLET 4 DOOR LOST CONTROL AT A TURNING OF HIGHWAY. NO SPEEDING AND NO TICKET. THIS CAR A SAFETY ISSUE WITH STEERING AND THE BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235680 · 2008-07-24 (July 24, 2008)
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A LOW AREA IN THE STREET THAT HAD A PUDDLE OF WATER TO DRIVE THROUGH. I WAS GOING TO TURN RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND THEN ALL AT ONCE IT DID TURN. I DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE WATER TO RUN THROUGH UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER IN A HARD RAIN AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS WAS ALSO WHEN I WANTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN LAKELAND FL. I CONTACTED BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IN PLANT CITY FL AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT MAKE IT DO THAT BUT THEY ORDERED PARTS ( A N…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220727 · 2008-03-10 (March 10, 2008)
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY. IMPALA. MY CRUISE WAS SET AT 52 MPH AND I APPLIED MY BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE AND I APPLIED MY BRAKE AGAIN I SHOULD OF BEEN GOING AT LEAST 25 MPH. I HAD TO SLAM MY BRAKE AND TRY TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE WITH NO LIGHTS ON AND I HIT THEM. I COULDN'T TURN MY WHEELS OR STOP AND THE COP SAID I SLED 80 FT THAT IS AT LEAST 8 OF MY CAR LENGTHS IM CONFUSED I WAS NOT GOING OVER 52 THEN APPLIED BRAKES I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE MY CRUISE CONTROL GOT STUCK AND OR SPED UP TO BECAUSE I HAD MY BRAKE ON WHEN I H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314811 · 2010-02-27 (February 27, 2010)
1. 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA, WHILE DRIVING DOWN INCLINES THE FRONT DISC BRAKES HEAT UP AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DISK ARE TOO SMALL TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT. 2. CONDITION OCCURS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILLS. 3. GM DEALER TURNED DISC 1 TIME UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD ME TO SHIFT MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO A LOWER GEAR GOING DOWN HILL. THERE IS MUCH INFORMATION FROM OWNERS OF GM VEHICLES ON THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. THE IMPALA IS NOT THE ONLY GM PRODUCT WITH THIS PROBLEM DUE TO DISK TOO SMALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 36,429 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350494 · 2010-08-19 (August 19, 2010)
YESTERDAY, MY CHEVY 08 IMPALA WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I CONTACTED AAA WHO WAS UNABLE TO HELP ME. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A CAR MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WIRESUNDER THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAD COME UNATTACHED. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH CHEVY WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND MY MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WAS OVER AT 36, 000 MILES. I HAD TO PAY $ 91 TO HAVE THE WIRES RECONNECTED BACK INTO THE PIECE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WIRES ARE TO SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244613 · 2008-10-07 (October 7, 2008)
WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS HAPPENS 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I AM LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH A SUDDENLY INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD A STALL OUT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I HAVE HAD A STALL OUT WHILE MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY!! MOST RECENTLY I HAD A STALL OUT THAT REQUIRED IMMEDIATE RECOVERY AND EVASIVE ACTION WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN WHICH RESULTED IN A FLAT TIRE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID A POSSIBLE COLLISION. I HAVE BEEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325932 · 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I TOUCHED ANYTHING,BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART WITH NO PROBLEMS. I THEN DROVE SLOWLY AND TURNED ON THE AIR; WHEN I CHANGED THE FLOW OF THE AIR TO FLOW FROM WITHIN THE CAR, IT MADE THE SCREECHING NOISE AND STALLED AGAIN. RESTARTED THE CAR, TURNED ON THE AIR AND IT STALLED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD FAILED AND WAS TEARING UP THE ENGINE BELT, WHICH WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,812 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10597746 · 2014-06-11 (June 11, 2014)
OUR 2008 IMPALA LS, WITH 100,000 MILES, IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM SEEING AT THIS WEB SITE AND ALL ACROSS THE INTERNET. LAST MONTH, MAY, 2014, AND THIS MONTH, JUNE, 2014, THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCED POWER ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO NO MORE THAN 35 MPH. BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO ADVANCE TO HAVE THEM CHECK TO SEE IF ANY CODES HAD BEEN DROPPED BY THE COMPUTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO REDUCED POWER MESSAGE EITHER, AND THE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL. I WAS T…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10836699 · 2016-02-17 (February 17, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY CAR STALLED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I STOPPED AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. IT CRAKES UP BUT THERE ARE NO SHIFTING OF GEARS. I HAD TO REPLACE MY GAS TANK AS WELL AS MY PEDALS FOR THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP.
Owner-reported narrative. 179,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10836699 at NHTSA ↗