2008 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, most often about electrical system. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
35
Recalls
2
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Median mileage
150,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 10 of 35 complaints (29%).
  • Engine (8) and steering (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 150,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries.
  • The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 7th of 16 Chevrolet Impala model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 84% more complaints than the 2007 model year (19).

2008 Chevrolet Impala problems by category

  • Electrical System · 2 crashes
    10 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    8 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Suspension
    4 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Brakes
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system10
Engine8
Unknown or other7
Steering7
Air bags4
Power train4
Vehicle speed control4
Suspension3

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k160k–100k5100k–150k10150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2008 Chevrolet Impala complaints that list mileage.

2008 Chevrolet Impala recalls (2)

  • Recall 14V355000Jun 23, 20143,141,731 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 12V377000Aug 3, 201236,413 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

    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.

    Risk: 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 defect investigations

  • DP14001Opened Jul 22, 2014Closed Mar 7, 2017

    Passenger Air Bag OCS Algorithm

    The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the all…

Recent 2008 Chevrolet Impala complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Dec 13, 2024150,000 miILCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11630566 · source
  2. Filed Nov 6, 2024MNOther / Unknown
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11623770 · source
  3. Filed Aug 6, 2024HIWheels & Tires
    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,…
    NHTSA complaint #11606880 · source
  4. Filed Jun 14, 2024TNOther / Unknown
    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
    NHTSA complaint #11594362 · source
  5. Filed Feb 28, 2024GATransmission & Drivetrain
    At a complete stop, press the gas to go and the car will not go. Kind of like its struggling to catch gear and then all of a sudden it with catch jerk hard. That's an issue for a few reasons. If you have to pull out for somewhere that traffic doesn't stop or yield, and the car is barley rolling trying to catch gear, there's the risk of getting hit. When the gear catches, and the jerk happened it's not a small jerk, i feel it's a safety hassard to small children. When my son…
    NHTSA complaint #11574386 · source
  6. Filed Sep 5, 2023ORCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    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
    NHTSA complaint #11542674 · source
  7. Filed May 4, 2023PATransmission & Drivetrain
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11520520 · source
  8. Filed Apr 22, 2023MITransmission & Drivetrain
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11518381 · source

Compare the 2008 Chevrolet Impala with another vehicle →

Other 2008 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology