2009 Chevrolet IMPALA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
824 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
75,468 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 662 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 230 of 824 complaints (27.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 115 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 101 | 12.3% |
| Steering behavior | 96 | 11.7% |
| Engine operation | 65 | 7.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 32 | 3.9% |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 230 |
| Electrical System | 216 |
| Engine | 179 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 123 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 108 |
| Power Train | 65 |
| Steering | 55 |
| Traction Control System | 46 |
Air Bags: 230; Electrical System: 216; Engine: 179; Vehicle Speed Control: 123; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 108; Power Train: 65; Steering: 55; Traction Control System: 46
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 79 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 106 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 141 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 138 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 148 |
| 150,000 and above | 50 |
Under 25,000: 79; 25,000 to 49,999: 106; 50,000 to 74,999: 141; 75,000 to 99,999: 138; 100,000 to 149,999: 148; 150,000 and above: 50
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (148). 162 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2013 | 78 |
| 2014 | 204 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2009: 9; 2010: 31; 2011: 33; 2012: 37; 2013: 78; 2014: 204; 2015: 129; 2016: 105; 2017: 46; 2018: 47; 2019: 33; 2020: 23; 2021: 18; 2022: 5; 2023: 11; 2024: 9; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 115 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 101 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 96 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 10289415 · 2009-10-22 (October 22, 2009)
LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON WET ROADS. BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 12,000, 22,000 & 33,000 MILES. TIRES ALSO REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR ON INSIDE OF BACK TIRES. CAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING REAREND TO "PUSH" CAR IN WET WEATHER. DEALER CAN'T GET CAR ALIGNED PROPERLY. VEHICLE SITS AT DEALER BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE DEALER CUT ROTORS 1ST TIME REPLACED 2ND AND CUT 3RD TIME. EACH TIME THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. AT 12,000 DEALER REPLACED TIRES AFTER COMPLAINTS THAT VEHICLE ALMOST KILLED OUR ENTIRE FAMILY G…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320359 · 2010-03-17 (March 17, 2010)
BOUGHT CERTIFIED IMPALA WITH 38000 MILES. HAS 12MONTH/12000 MILE WARRANTY. NOTICED PULSATING IN BRAKES AND THEY SAID IT WAS ROTORS NEEDED TURNING, BUT CERTIFICATION PAPERS STATE CAR IS SOLD AS IF NEW. SO ROTORS SHOULD BE COVERED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277595 · 2009-07-21 (July 21, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN HER VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, THE HEATING UNIT WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE SEVERAL REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE FAILURES, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE AFTERMARKET ALARM SYSTEM WAS WIRED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL …
Owner-reported narrative. 472 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296889 · 2009-12-24 (December 24, 2009)
A DEAD BATTERY AT THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT IN A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THERE IS NO MECHANICAL TRUNK RELEASE FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MY BACK SEAT DOESN'T FOLD DOWN, SO I COULDN'T CRAWL INTO THE TRUNK TO TRIP THE EMERGENCY RELEASE, I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO MY JUMPER CABLES. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO LOCK THE CAR TO GO MAKE A CALL. GUESS WHAT WITH THE BATTERY DEAD I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION EITHER. A HUGE CONCERN OF MINE IS THIS; IF THAT CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCI…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,165 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290894 · 2009-11-04 (November 4, 2009)
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA AND MY CAR JUST CUTS OFF WHILE IM DRIVING AND THE KEY GETS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE AFTERMARKET STEREO SO I TOOK IT OUT IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $700 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND NO RESULTS WHAT IF MY CAR WOULD HAVE WENT OUT ON ME ON THE FREEWAY OR SOMETHING BECAUSE IT WENT OUT LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNED THE WHOLE CAR JUST LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURNED OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340921 · 2010-07-01 (July 1, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS REALIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AGAIN, ADJUST THE TOW AND CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER LATER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,981. UPDATED 08/27/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428917 · 2011-10-06 (October 6, 2011)
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 185.00 TO REMOVE THE LIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10446178 · 2012-02-01 (February 1, 2012)
TL* 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341976 · 2010-07-08 (July 8, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 TO 60 MPH DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAINS. HE STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 08/24/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD HEAT UP ON LONG DOWNHILL GRADES. UPDATED 08/25/10*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10357257 · 2010-09-23 (September 23, 2010)
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA,BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2010 WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I STOP TO PARK THE CAR, MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL ROLL FORWARD 8 TO 10 INCHES. IT ALSO DOES IT IN REVERSE BUT ONLY A 3-4 INCHES. HAPPENS ABOUT 1 TIME IN 5. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN TO THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10357257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10693926 · 2015-03-12 (March 12, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED HALF A TANK AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL FOR FUEL TO BE BROUGHT TO THE SITE. ONCE THE FUEL WAS POURED INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,445 miles reported. Look up ODI 10693926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731446 · 2015-07-01 (July 1, 2015)
I WAS DERIVING DOWN A STEEP GRADE ON THE GATLINBURG BYPASS TOWARD PIGEON FORGE, TN IN SECOND GEAR FOR ENGINE BREAKING. I FIRST NOTICED THE CAR GETTING WARMER AND I CHECKED THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL BY FEEL TO MAKE SURE MY RIDER HAD NOT INCREASED THE TEMPERATURE. THEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS HARDER ON SLIGHT CURVES; THEN I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER GOING TO ZERO AND SONE OTHER GAUGES DECREASING; THEN I HAD TO SLOW FOR A CHARPER CURVE WHERE I HAD NO POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND NO POWERING STEERING ASSIST. I MANAGED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STO…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731446 at NHTSA ↗