10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,693 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 2009 Chevrolet Impala:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jun 172015

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
Reduced engine power, car cuts off while driving. Chevy is aware of defect and refuses to recall

- Bunnell, FL, USA

problem #43

May 312015

Impala

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. When driving up an incline at various speeds, the vehicle would independently lose power or fail to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #42

Jan 302015

Impala

  • 115,484 miles
I bought this car used in 2012. This car had periodic electrical issues and a CO2 sensor failure, but there were no issues comparable to a total transmission failure. Earlier in the winter of 2015, I noticed that the transmission would not shift up into fourth gear on the freeway until after ten minutes of driving. One day in ann arbor, mi, I was accelerating out of a turn when the RPM meter started revving to 6,000 and the engine lost power. After restarting the Impala, the car went a few hundred feet to red light and died at the intersection. I eventually was able to drop this vehicle off at an automotive repair shop following a long trip full of transmission failures and start-ups. The mechanic later stated that the transmission would need to be rebuilt. The repair cost was over $1,600 and the transmission still possesses the same problems that existed prior to this event.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #41

Apr 182015

Impala

  • 74,000 miles
On 18 Apr 2015, my 2009 Chevrolet Impala experienced complete and total failure of the transmission. Since the warranty is 5 years/100,000 miles, I was not eligible for repair due to being 8 months beyond the warranty period. This despite the fact that the vehicle only had 74,000 miles on it at the time.

- Water Valley, MS, USA

problem #40

Feb 232015

Impala

  • 303,303 miles
While driving onto a highway when I reach 56 miles per hour my vehicle lost power and slow down the brakes locked and the electrical system went haywire. The locks started locking and unlocking while the vehicle was in motion. The lights started flickering on and off and the car started shaking rapidly and the brakes locked up. Once I started the vehicle back up and the ignition switch seemed to be stuck and the air bag light displayed on the dashboard. When I turn off the vehicle and try to remove the key the key will not come out so I have to put it into neutral and back into park a few times before it will release the key. Since this has occurred I hear a knocking sound in my glove box when the door is open and closed and sometime hours after ill hear the noise and the electric will flicker.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #39

Nov 152014

Impala

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the transmission would go into a hard transition of gears very slowly before shifting into a normal gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #38

Feb 182015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
I have been having the service engine light come intermittently along with the service traction control light. I have had a technician look at this for me and advised that the throttle control sensor (accelerator pedal) is going in and out. The accelerator pedal is connected to a sensor that drives the throttle on the engine. When this happens intermittently the vehicle looses engine power and traction control.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #37

Jan 282015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 98,780 miles
Driving to work and the service traction control light went on then engine power reduced and throttle error and the car would not accelerate and powered down. I was at red light so I turned the car off and turned it back on the car would not accelerate so I turned it off again and waiting put my flashers on, waited a few more minutes and the car finally started to move. I took to the dealership because it's a powertrain issue and I have 100K powertrain warranty and the dealership said it's not powertrain and wanted $778 to repair, I called Chevy after seeing the forums only this is a known issue thousands of people with the same complaint and Chevy said they are going to work with the dealership. I have to be back at work Monday and drive through a very rough neighborhood I do not want to breakdown in that neighborhood.

- Clementon, NJ, USA

problem #36

Sep 012014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that it took several attempts to shift the gear out of park. The vehicle was inoperable. The failure occured on numerous occassions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #35

Oct 312014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 90,680 miles
Car states reduced engine power stalling to about 10mph very dangerous. Many complaints about this issue.

- Attalla, AL, USA

problem #34

Oct 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 111,005 miles
My engine power reduced light came on alone with the traction light.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #33

Oct 062014

Impala

  • 92,600 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle was not able to change gears from park to reverse. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the wires and cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,600.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #32

Sep 252014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while making a right hand turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. Also, the contact mentioned that when the vehicle was restarted, the transmission would only shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Jackonville , FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 192014

Impala 4WD 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
I was driving approx. 55 mph when the service traction control and engine power reduced warning light came on. I felt the car power down some and made it home safely. After reading the complaints here, I am scared to drive my car. This is the car I drive my kids in everyday. There is obviously a problem here and a recall needs to be issued. I have my car serviced regularly so I am not a neglectful car owner.

- Mayville, MI, USA

problem #30

Apr 152012

Impala

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 80 mph, the vehicle shifted gears independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Vulcan, MI, USA

problem #29

Nov 152013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
I went to a store and when I came back out to leave it wouldn't shift out of park. So, to get it out of park I have to reach into the console from the passenger side to push the release button while it's in neutral with the emergency brake on. I have had to do this every time I use the car. It's a safety concern to be laying down in my passenger side--no matter where I'm at, to get my car into gear so I can get to work, etc. I see by other websites that this is a routine problem with this make and model of car. Apparently the wires are not made well enough to withstand a few thousand miles of use.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #28

Jun 242014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 44,290 miles
Upon starting and attempting to back out of my garage to go to work, the release button on the floor mounted gearshift lever would not depress, thereby preventing me from shifitng into reverse, let alone drive if I was successful in backing out of the garage. Here is the description on my receipt for repair: "inspected loss of power at shifter at R.T.S.I. solenoid - (previously repaired ground circuit 1135 green voltage supply broke at connector) - nec to replace complete connector and harness and route correctly -- grid# 013, doc id#'s 1912937, 2417697" this is the second time I've had this issue. The dealer took care of me appropriately each time. However, I see that other owners of Impala are experiencing the same problem via the internet. I sure would appreciate it if it was looked into. I'd hate to see any body have this problem in a not too friendly area, let alone my spouse. Thank you.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #27

Jun 112014

Impala

  • 69,921 miles
Last night, I started up my car and immediately the car started to shudder pretty hard. My car started chiming and a service traction control showed up on my dash, followed by an engine power reduced. The light indicator for my tc was lit. I immediately turned the car off and tried to restart it. The same thing happened again. I turned it off and waited 2 minutes before restarting. It started fine, with no bad indications. The car also drove normally. A few hours later as I was starting home, it happened again. My car was still parked as before when the indications showed up. Shut off and restarted and it cleared out. No problem once I started driving. This morning was no different. So far, this only has happened when I was starting my car up. I have been fortunate that this hasn't happened to me while the car was in motion- yet. Other people with this problem haven't been so fortunate. There has been no bad weather at all. Dry as a bone. I bought this car in 2010 knowing it used to be a rental. I have had no problems with it until now. I took my car into my Chevy dealership, who thought it might be the throttle body sensor. They are ordering the part in, but I'm still skeptical if that is really what is causing it. I have heard the sensor on the hub assembly could cause this, as well as the accelerator pedal sensor. From reading multiple forums, many owners have had scary experiences with the car decelerating on freeways or other dangerous places that could result in wrecks and personal harm. They had taken their cars in multiple times and shelled out thousands trying to fix this phantom ghost problem. Frankly I am amazed there has been no recall for this. I am moving to ca, and I'm driving there by myself in less than two weeks. I can't have my car try to do me in right now, nor do I have endless amounts of cash to fix a mech's guess. Warranty does not cover this.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

problem #26

Apr 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving, service traction control will come on along with the engine light, and they flicker on and off, and cause the car to jerk, the locks to relock, my fuel gauge to go out of place, and sometimes cause the car to turn off. I have taken my car to an actual Chevrolet dealership, but they stated that there was nothing wrong with the car because they tried and no problems were diagnosed when they used the scan tool. I don't know what to do. Some people say that it may have something to do with my transmission; others say that it is something electrical; while others say that a wire is not connecting or is touching something. One dealer stated that this is happen in all 2007-2012 Impala once they hit a certain miles.

- Irving , TX, USA

problem #25

May 282014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 144,171 miles
We own the car listed above and have for over two years. We bought it at a dealership in East Tennessee. The car was previously used as a rent a car for enterprise. Not even a year after we bought the vehicle we had to replace the transmission. The biggest problem is the fact I have drove this car and all issues stated for a recall we have had a problem with. The most recent is the vehicle shutting off while driving it on highways. It's is saying service engine light mad than will say service traction control, than it will shutoff I been going 70 down an interstate and it shutoff mad about kill us. We had the vehicle checked and the accelerator pedal sensor or something like that is the problem by what technician say. I am just now starting to research the issues we have and found numerous recalls on this vehicle in which we have the problems listed above and more. Mainly the airbag steering control arm and vehicle just shutting off. I guess the best way to sum it up is they sold us a lemon perhaps but after looking at the recall list our vehicle meets the requirements for sure. Too many problems for a new vehicle. Just looking to take care of the problem before the car injures us or someone else on the highways. Hope this doesn't take long to get resolved because deaths could occur. Thanks for your time hope to speak with someone soon before it's too late. I mean I thought something major was wrong but the automd website really assured what we been thinking. Thanks for your time.

- Wartburg, TN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »