Chevrolet · Impala · 2008
2
Recalls
810
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has 2 recalls and 810 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (106 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH while in cruise control, a group of birds flew out from under a ditch which caused the contact to swerve and lose control of the vehicle. As a result of the incident, the contact crashed into the ditch. The air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact's face to hit the steering wheel. The contact was later transported to the hospital via an ambulance where she was treated for a concussion. Additionally, the contact suffered several cuts and bruises to her face with additional bruising to her left leg and hip. A police report was filed; however, the report was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
This is 1 of 2 car seats that we have, both with the same issue. The pull strap that is used to tighten the shoulder straps to secure the child in appropriately is not functioning properly. You can not pull the shoulder straps to the tightness that is required for the child to be secured properly. This is a huge safety risk to my children when we are not able to tighten them correctly. I had the car seat looked at by CPST [XXX XXX] with the City of Waite Park, and there is no user error, the straps aren't pinched anywhere. She herself was having a operating the car seat and advised us to stop using it and get it replaced. I have reached out to Evenflo and they are unwilling to fix the issue. They tell me that the car seat is "far out warranty so they cannot assist me further with the seat." I am in disbelief that they are unwilling to replace the defective seats. I do have a video of Alicia trying to tighten the straps and it shows her struggling to accomplish that. I am unable to attach them here. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H- Car started shaking violently while I was driving it- seemed to be coming from rear tire. Limped it home, removed driver side rear tire, and noticed substantial bulge where tread was separating. Replaced tire with another brand. Several months later, same thing happened, and removed the remaining Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H tire, the passenger side rear tire, and noticed same defect. I bought both tires Mar 15, 2021 on Amazon, but have driven car very little. Unfortunately the shop that installed them didn't note mileage on receipt but the tread looks brand new (other than the defect). Looked at amazon and noticed other customers reporting the same defect! [XXX] I think these tires are very dangerous and are going to cause somebody to get injured or worse, especially since both tires are affected by defects and other consumers are reporting the exact same issue on amazon reviews. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dash cover crumbled and falling apart. Even though I have kept it cool and covered with a condition. It's falling down into my car fan for heating and cooling
The key gets stuck and I can't remove the key; I can't take the key out and then the battery drains and car is dead.
The engine electric brakes all shut down steering wheel locked up and my daughter smashed into telephone pole on August 31 2023. Airbags didn't deploy for front and side airbags were deflated no air.no warning lights prior that I'm aware of. My daughter was injured PCS and cervical sprain
When I turn the ignition key and start my car engine, I then shift the automatic transmission into “drive”, but there is no forward acceleration power, and I have no idea why this is.
Unknown
The gas petal sensor is reading a code P2138 (Accelerator Petal Position Sensors 1-2 not plausible). My father has changed the petal not once but twice and erased the code but it keeps coming back. Also getting a p0172 code as well. A Cheverolet dealership has been called and the representative rushed me off phone saying there was not recall for the car. Car was taken to an Autozone and the codes were still coming up. Engine warning light goes off and on every 3 to 4 days after being cleared, then will get a reduced engine power message will appear. Messages warning lights and symptoms started 3 months ago.
While driving at highway speeds the car will act up and the engine will shut off, I get the message on the odometer display that reads, Engine power is reduced, service throttle, starter disabled. This is not a good thing to have happen while driving.
On these cars the blend doors open when your driving and fogs windows to were you can't see mostly in the winter or colder temperatures. They start to click because of the bad design of them and sometimes the clicking goes away and sometimes it doesnt and the safety risk is when the doors malfunction it fogs windows and you can't see. Car was taking to auto shop and they confirm that's the problem and the parts for the car are under $100 but over $1200 for labor
The back driver’s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I’ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit through all doors of a vehicle, especially during an emergency. Because of this defect, Impalas should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and jumping. The contact drove to his brother's residence to inspect the vehicle. The contact removed the front passenger’s side tire and wheel and upon removing the hub, the engine moved. The contact was self-diagnosed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.
Q-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A-Suspension and steering effective. Any time I drive and make turns it makes like a clunking noise. You can actually feel it in the floor board. It's worse when you are driving down a not so smooth road. You can look at it as soon as possible. Q-How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A-Control arm might SNAP causing you to lose control of my vehicle and crash into other drivers. Q-Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A-Firestone has inspected my car. Q-Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A-No my vehicle has not. Q-Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A-No warning signs of any kind. This started within the last month or two.
Heating and air conditioning actuators and/or blen door getting stuck so the air will not switch from cold to hot or hot to cold without pulling the glove box out and manually turning them by hand. Heater will blow hot air and then randomly switch to cold air. When it's cold outside, I cannot defrost my windows cause it gets stuck on cold air which impairs visibility.
car shuts off while in traffic and it says engine power reduced service traction control
My sway bar is broken and needs to be fixed. Like all the rest of Impalas . I'm on social security and I need someone to help please! Martin Montney
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER, STALLED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE DASH LIT UP SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I WAS CURRENTLY USING CRUISE CONTROL SO IT SHOCKED ME WHEN MY CAR WENT FROM 75 TO 40 QUICK. I WAS IN FIVE O'CLOCK TRAFFIC AND ALMOST REAR ENDED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. I'M PLANNING ON GETTING IT LOOKED AT.
IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TURNING LEFT , PEDAL STUCK BRAKES NOT WORKING AND HIT BY ON COMING CAR , FLIPPED IN AIR ABOUT A BLOCK , ROLLING OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN , NO AIR BAGS DEPLEATED, BROKEN RIBS, CONCUSSION, SKIN LACERATIONS , BRUISES,GLASS LOGGED IN PARTS OF BODY , FACE AND FEET
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 810 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala are electrical system (106 reports), suspension (70 reports), steering (48 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.