10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
28 / 1
Average Mileage:
77,636 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #49

Aug 312023

Impala

  • miles
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

- Lowell, OR, USA

problem #48

Aug 222020

Impala

  • 171,300 miles
Have gone through 2 alternators, and 2 batteries, airbags sensor is something problems, rattling while driving from underneath vehicle.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #47

Feb 012020

Impala

  • 20,000 miles
Air bag light came

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #46

Sep 182019

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
ABS or airbag failure dash light came on and read that this is a recall issue that needs factory service to avoid bodily injuries or death. Transmission issues causing erratically shifting while driving or taking off from a stop

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #45

Sep 082019

Impala

  • 155,867 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side air bag compartment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,867.

- Everett, PA, USA

problem #44

Jun 012019

Impala

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the vehicle may be included in a recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact also took the vehicle to an unknown dealer and was informed that he would either have to replace the air bags or replace the wiring in the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact to call NHTSA to check if the vehicle was included in a recall. The contact called NHTSA and was informed that there were no active recalls on his vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and recommended that all the seat belts be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #43

Jun 192018

Impala

  • 201,556 miles
"takata recall" on Tuesday June 19th I was involved in a car accident in my 2008 Chevy Impala I was ran over the road by another vehicle I also had a passenger in the car also before we was ran off the road I was going atleast 45mph... the car immediately smashed into a big tree neither of the airbags came out & the car was totaled

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #42

Jun 082018

Impala

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 40 mph, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. During the crash, the front end was damaged; however, the front driver side air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an undisclosed location. A police report was filed. The driver sustained an injured left shoulder and neck that required medical attention. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #41

Apr 022016

Impala

  • 170,000 miles
I am informing you of some very serious concerns in regards to parts of the 07 and 08 Chevy Impala that have failed causing accidents as well as injury and grave potential for fatalities.airbags not deploying, seat belts not locking on impact first and foremost I have requested copies of the paperwork that was submitted to the courts in somerset wi. This showed exactly what took place causeing an accident that was considered negligent due to medications I was on and my disability. The mechanic gave me this report along with info stating that this was a huge problem in fleet police vehicals. The info stated that the police vehicals were fixed and checked however this part has no recall or revision to correct the safety issues that we can find. My vehical does have high millage however it has been very well taken care of thanks to erickson oil and mechanic friends. This part snapping after cracking esily resulted in complete loss of control as well as the car locking up and becoming impossible to steer and stop. It is disturbing that these parts were not corrected from a manufactering aspect (this was looked at by a machinest, as well as an engineer and by the qaulity/dimesions/structure this part easily looked defective) the visual as well as skilled aproach to problem solving drove us to look up recalls prior to buying a new part. We could not find any. Just info that this exact make and model were purchased as fleet vehicals in 07 and 08. Problems with many of these cars resulted in pulling all of the fleet/govnt patrol cars in to be fixed/investigated. However we have been unable to find a recall or warning that should have also been issued to the public. I am currently looking into help to investigate and help get this looked at as it caused an accident as well as being unstable and faulty in another minor impact accident potentiaaly increasing fatality/injuries.

- Somerset, WI, USA

problem #40

Aug 122016

Impala

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 15 mph, after proceeding through a green light, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, both shoulders, left forearm, bruising and swelling to the upper chest cavity and lower abdomen. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was determined that the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Franklin, OH, USA

problem #39

Dec 312012

Impala

  • 15,000 miles
I was in an accident in royalton, vt traveling from burlington, vt where I was visiting family to my home in Maine. I went off the road into the ditch in the median, I'm not sure why but they think I may have hit some black ice. I ended up in the dartmouth hospital requiring major surgery to my back as well as some other problems. I spent 6 weeks in rehab learning how to walk again. My airbags did not inflate. I was worried more about my recovery at the time and not about why my air bags didn't inflate but I have seen several recalls lately that address the issue. I traded in the car a couple of years later so I did not get any notices about the problem.. I understand there has been a lawsuit filed but I was never contacted about it - probably because I no longer have the car. I would like some resolution to this situation

- Old Orchard Beach, ME, USA

problem #38

Apr 152015

Impala

  • 55,000 miles
When changing temperature in vehicle, a loud clacking noise is heard for up to 2-3 minutes even if vehicle is turned off. Service air bag light and stablizer trac service light comes on. Oil leak under car. Only 55,000 miles. Can be heard 50 years away from car it is so loud. 2008 Chevrolet Impala

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #37

Feb 012016

Impala

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While drivng 45 mph, the vehicle struck a deer. The air bags did not deploy. The driver susained injuries to the head and chest. Medical attention was not requiried. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system), but the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Eddyville, KY, USA

problem #36

Nov 212015

Impala

  • 112,000 miles
Airbag light comes on randomly and quite often. The Chevrolet dealer told me the airbag will not deploy when the light is on or when the seatbelt latch triggers the airbag not to deploy.

- Pendleton, IN, USA

problem #35

Jan 052016

Impala

  • 109,250 miles
Came over on indicator air bag needs service

- Biddeford, ME, USA

problem #34

Sep 302015

Impala

  • miles
I purchased a 2008 Chevy Impala ltz from a reputable certified used car dealership (merrolis Chevrolet 9 mile and gratiot). I also had a warranty. In less than two months I had a service invoice for over $1300 the car needed a airbag coil replacement (477.00) steering difficulties. Also. The converter needed replacement (877.00). This makes the car sound like it needs a new muffler. I complained to the manager in service and I'm awaiting a response 11-13-15. He was supposed to call me back on Friday 11-13-15 but did not.

- Harper Woods, MI, USA

problem #33

Sep 292015

Impala

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at 60 mph, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a fractured collar bone and bruises that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Port Deposit, MD, USA

problem #32

Jul 242015

Impala

  • 83,456 miles
I was going North on school street I had a green light. I car going West on rockton ran the red light and hit my car causing me to run into a tree. I had a head concussions and 6 broken ribs.my air bag did not open.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #31

Feb 182015

Impala

  • 105,200 miles
As I was driving, I got a notification on my dashboard that read "engine power reduced service traction control". I continued to drive to my destination or somewhere I could safely pull over. As I drove, the power to my vehicle had reduced significantly. During this time, the check engine light as well as the traction control light stayed on. After about 20 minutes or so, the lights went off and the car begin to operate without incident. After the day of the initial incident, I had the same problem occur 2 more times on 2 separate occasions. I have had my car since 2011 and I have had no accidents so I am not sure where or why this issue is happening but I am definitely not happy about it. I am also having issues with a knocking noise coming from my glovebox as well as the airbags light keeps coming on. Is there a recall that I am not aware of that affects these issues? if not, what can be done to rectify this problem. I am a proud Chevy owner and would like to remain loyal to Chevy however if I am not able to get some sort of resolution for these problems, I may have to look at going to a different manufacturer.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #30

Feb 232015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 80,569 miles
I was struck by a truck that went though a blinking red. He stated he was just pulling out. I saw his vehicle entering the intersection on my right, slowed down and pulled over as far as possible to my left, to the edge of the road and the snow bank. He impacted my passenger side door and front fender, head light and bumper. The air bags did not deploy nor did the onstar auto call for help. I have already been in contact and onstar told me I should have pushed the button. GM said I should have pushed the button but has opened an investigation as to what happened. They have already contacted my auto insurance, who then contacted me for permission to inspect and collect information from my vehicle. Both insurance companies agreed that my car was totaled, over $9,500 in damages without being taken apart or put on a lift. I was taken away by ambulance with injuries to my neck, shoulder and back which I am still recovering from. The other driver was found at fault an received a citation. I called the police from my personal cell phone. I ended up in the er with injuries to my left shoulder, neck and lower back which I am still recovering from.

- Bristol, CT, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »