2008 Chevrolet IMPALA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10208829 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE CHAINS ON THE VEHICLE TIRES IN OREGON. HE STATED THAT THE INSIDE FRONT END OF THE TIRE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRE AND STRUT FOR A CHAIN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SNOWS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 580. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE GM REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO CHANGE THE TIRES OR THE WHEEL SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHAINS. THE CONSUMER STATED HAVE TO GO OVER M…
Owner-reported narrative. 580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219947 · 2008-03-03 (March 3, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HIS 100 LBS WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN SHE IS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10219947 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 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 10234391 · 2008-07-15 (July 15, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, WRIST, AND NECK. MISSOURI STATE POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 06030800534. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,951.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,951 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234391 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V377000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2012-08-03 (August 3, 2012)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V355000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-06-23 (June 23, 2014)
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
NHTSA campaign record ↗